The Shock and Injustice of a Hit and Run in Cherry Hill
A cherry hill hit and run lawyer can help you recover damages when someone causes personal injury or property damage and flees the scene without stopping to check on victims or exchange information.
What You Need to Know About Cherry Hill Hit and Run Cases:
- Definition: Occurs when a driver causes injury/damage and leaves without providing assistance or information
- Common Causes: Impaired driving after leaving bars, distracted driving incidents
- Legal Complexity: Cases involve both criminal charges and civil compensation claims
- Evidence Challenge: Identifying the responsible party can be difficult
- Recoverable Damages: Economic (medical bills, lost wages), non-economic (pain/suffering), and sometimes punitive damages
- Time Limit: Two years to file a civil claim in New Jersey
- Insurance: Your own PIP and uninsured motorist coverage may apply
Hit and run accidents are devastating, leaving victims with injuries and the injustice of a fleeing driver. In Cherry Hill, common causes include impaired driving after leaving bars or distracted driving, where at-fault parties flee instead of accepting responsibility.
These cases are unique because they involve criminal implications that can benefit your civil case. When the responsible party is caught, they face criminal charges, and this conviction can strengthen your claim for damages.
As Jason Fine, with over 25 years of experience, I’ve helped countless victims steer complex hit and run cases as a cherry hill hit and run lawyer. My team at J. Fine Law knows how to preserve evidence, identify fleeing drivers, and maximize your compensation.
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Your Legal Roadmap After a Cherry Hill Hit and Run
The moments after a hit and run are overwhelming, leaving you with injuries, vehicle damage, and the frustration of a driver fleeing their responsibility. However, you are not powerless.
A cherry hill hit and run lawyer understands these uniquely challenging cases, which involve both criminal and civil aspects. Fleeing the scene is a crime, but it also creates a civil case for your compensation. While finding the driver can be difficult, the right legal guidance and quick action lead to successful resolutions.
What to Do Immediately Following the Accident
Your first priority is safety. Move out of traffic if possible. Your wellbeing comes first.
- Call 911 immediately: This creates an official police report, which is crucial evidence, even if injuries seem minor.
- Get a medical evaluation right away: Some injuries, like concussions, have delayed symptoms. Medical records link your injuries to the accident.
- Gather evidence safely: Use your phone to photograph vehicle damage, the scene, skid marks, and debris. Note any details about the fleeing car (color, make, model, partial plate).
- Collect witness information: Get names and phone numbers. Witness statements are vital for identifying the driver.
- Never chase the fleeing driver: It’s dangerous and can cause another accident. Your safety is paramount.
For more comprehensive information about handling car accidents in Cherry Hill, visit our accident lawyer services page.
Understanding the Criminal vs. Civil Case
When a driver leaves an accident scene, they commit a crime and create a civil liability.
- The Criminal Case: Handled by state prosecutors, this case aims to punish the driver with fines, jail time, and license suspension.
- Your Civil Case: This is your claim for compensation. With a cherry hill hit and run lawyer, you’ll seek damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
A criminal conviction for fleeing the scene significantly strengthens your civil case. It establishes the driver’s unlawful actions, making it much easier to prove their liability. This leverage often leads to better settlement offers from insurance companies.
Common Scenarios and How to Gather Evidence
Common hit and run scenarios in Cherry Hill involve impaired drivers fleeing to avoid DUI charges, or distracted drivers who panic. Parking lot and pedestrian accidents are also frequent. According to recent statistics on distracted drivers, this problem continues to grow nationwide.
The key to solving these cases is quick evidence gathering. Surveillance footage from businesses, traffic cameras, or homes is invaluable but is often deleted quickly. We must act fast to preserve it.
Witness statements can provide crucial details like a partial license plate or driver description. As your cherry hill hit and run lawyer, we act immediately to preserve this time-sensitive evidence. The first 48 hours are critical for identifying the fleeing driver and securing the compensation you deserve.
How a Cherry Hill Hit and Run Lawyer Secures Your Compensation
After a hit and run, you face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and significant pain. Securing the compensation you deserve is the next battle. As your cherry hill hit and run lawyer, we steer the complex legal and insurance maze for you, shouldering that burden so you can focus on healing.
The path to compensation is challenging, often starting with identifying the unknown driver and then fighting insurance companies for a fair settlement. Our role is to be your advocate and voice throughout this process.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Hit and Run Case?
New Jersey law allows you to seek compensation for every way a hit and run has impacted your life. We ensure nothing is overlooked.
- Economic Damages: These are tangible losses with a clear monetary value. We pursue compensation for all medical expenses (past and future), rehabilitation costs, lost wages, diminished future earning capacity, and property damage.
- Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for the personal, non-monetary toll of the accident. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring and disfigurement, permanent disability, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
- Punitive Damages: In rare cases of extreme recklessness, these may be awarded to punish the at-fault driver and deter similar conduct.
Navigating Insurance and the Statute of Limitations
Navigating New Jersey’s insurance system after a hit and run requires expertise.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): As a no-fault state, your own PIP coverage is your first source for medical bills and lost wages. We fight to ensure you receive all the benefits you’re owed.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage: This is your crucial safety net. It covers your losses, including pain and suffering, when the at-fault driver is unidentified or uninsured. Your own insurance company will act as the adversary, and we know how to counter their tactics of lowball offers and delays.
Time is critical. You have a two-year statute of limitations in New Jersey to file a lawsuit, as per New Jersey Revised Statutes 2A:14-2 (2022). Missing this deadline means losing your right to compensation. Building a strong case takes time, so contact an attorney quickly.
For comprehensive information about how we handle personal injury cases in Cherry Hill, visit More info about personal injury services.
Why You Need an Experienced Cherry Hill Hit and Run Lawyer
Hit and run claims are far more complex than typical accidents because the at-fault party is unknown. You need an experienced lawyer who can handle these unique challenges.
- Swift Investigation: We act immediately to secure time-sensitive evidence like surveillance footage before it’s erased and to find witnesses before memories fade. This is often the key to identifying the driver.
- Expert Negotiation: Insurance companies have teams dedicated to minimizing payouts. We level the playing field with our deep knowledge of their tactics, fighting to get you a fair settlement.
- Maximizing Compensation: We work with medical and economic experts to calculate the full, long-term cost of your injuries, including future medical needs and lost earning capacity.
- Trial Readiness: We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Our reputation as skilled litigators often persuades insurance companies to offer better settlements to avoid facing us in court.
At J. Fine Law, our 98% success rate and over $50 million in settlements reflect our commitment to our clients. Our rapid attorney response ensures you get the help you need when you need it most. We understand the person behind the case and bring aggressive advocacy to every client, whether the accident was in a Cherry Hill parking lot or on Route 70.
For more information about our comprehensive personal injury services in Cherry Hill, including our Spanish-language services, visit More info about our personal injury services.