You’re still in shock at the scene of an accident when you realize the driver who caused your crash has disappeared. Now you're left dealing with injuries, medical bills, vehicle damage, and a long list of unanswered questions.
Many people assume they cannot recover compensation after a hit-and-run accident unless police identify the driver. Thankfully, that is not always true. Utah law provides several potential paths to financial justice, even if the person responsible for the collision is never found.
At Parker & McConkie, our Provo hit and run accident lawyers help injured accident victims throughout Provo and Utah County understand their options after serious hit-and-run incidents. Whether the collision occurred on University Avenue, near State Street, along I-15, or in one of Provo's busy commercial areas, our attorneys can investigate the accident, identify available insurance coverage, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to recover.
Call (801) 788-4017 today for a free consultation with our Provo hit and run accident lawyers.
The Driver Left the Scene. That Does Not Mean Your Case Is Over.
One of the most frustrating aspects of a hit-and-run accident is the feeling that the person responsible escaped accountability. Unlike a typical car accident, you may not have an insurance card, driver's license information, license plate number, or even a clear description of the vehicle involved. Many victims initially believe they have no legal options.
However, a successful claim does not always depend on identifying the fleeing driver at the time of the crash.
Modern investigations often involve surveillance footage, traffic cameras, witness statements, vehicle debris, electronic evidence, and potential insurance coverage, even when the at-fault driver remains unknown. Of course, the sooner an investigation begins, the better the opportunity to preserve evidence that could identify the driver or strengthen your claim against an insurance carrier.
Don’t wait. If you were injured in a hit and run collision, contact our Provo car accident injury lawyers today to start protecting your rights.
Why Choose Parker & McConkie for Your Provo Hit and Run Accident Case?
Hit-and-run claims often involve challenges that do not exist in ordinary car accident cases. Instead of only proving who caused the crash, you may also need to establish how it happened, locate additional evidence, and pursue compensation through alternative insurance coverage.
The team at Parker & McConkie brings more than 45 years of litigation experience to serious injury claims throughout Utah. Over the years, we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients, including numerous seven-figure results.
Some of our notable case results include recoveries such as:
- $1.68 million auto accident
- $1.45 million auto accident/government claim
- $1.1 million auto accident
- $800,000 auto accident
- $767,000 auto accident/government claim
- Hundreds of millions in settlements or verdicts for injured clients
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but they demonstrate our commitment to achieving meaningful results for clients whose lives have been disrupted by negligence.
When you partner with the Parker & McConkie team, we can:
- Investigate the collision and preserve evidence before it disappears
- Review police reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements
- Identify available insurance coverage
- Calculate current and future damages
- Negotiate with insurance companies and defense counsel
- File a lawsuit when necessary
- Prepare the case for trial if a fair resolution cannot be reached
Insurance companies often evaluate claims differently when they know the attorneys involved are prepared to pursue litigation. Our willingness to take cases to trial can influence negotiations from the very beginning.
What Happens After a Hit and Run Accident in Utah?
Many accident victims are unsure what happens once a driver leaves the scene of the crash. While every situation is different to some extent, most cases follow a similar timeline.
Law enforcement will generally investigate the collision and attempt to identify the responsible driver. Depending on the circumstances, officers may review surveillance footage, interview witnesses, inspect vehicle debris, and search for additional evidence.
At the same time, your own insurance company may begin evaluating the claim. This creates an unusual situation. Even though you pay premiums to your insurer for your coverage, your interests and the insurance company's interests may not align at this point.
Your insurer may investigate whether the collision qualifies for coverage, whether another driver was actually involved, and the extent of your injuries. They won’t just take your word for what happened.
Because evidence can disappear quickly, it is important to begin gathering information as soon as possible after the crash. Your insurance company has a team of investigators and lawyers. You deserve the same.
What Evidence Can Help Identify a Fleeing Driver?
Hit-and-run investigations frequently rely heavily on evidence that might also exist in an ordinary collision. Potentially important evidence may include:
- Traffic camera footage
- Business surveillance videos
- Residential security cameras
- Eyewitness accounts
- Vehicle debris left at the scene
- Paint transfers
- Cell phone photographs
- Electronic vehicle data
In some cases, seemingly minor details ultimately lead investigators to identify the responsible driver. When that happens, we can help bring a claim against the at-fault driver and their insurance coverage.
Can You Recover Compensation If the Driver Is Never Found?
In some cases, yes. This is often the most important question for hit-and-run victims, and many people are surprised by the answer.
If the at-fault driver cannot be identified, you may still have access to compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage. This type of insurance is designed to protect you when the responsible driver either has no insurance or cannot be identified.
Although many people expect their own insurance company to pay these claims without resistance, disputes frequently arise. You may be surprised when your insurance carrier questions:
- Whether another vehicle actually caused the crash
- The severity of your injuries
- The value of your damages
- Whether your treatment was necessary
- The amount of compensation being requested
As a result, uninsured motorist claims often require the same level of preparation as a claim against an at-fault driver.
Why Insurance Companies Often Challenge Hit and Run Claims
Unlike a typical collision where two drivers remain at the scene, hit-and-run accidents create uncertainty. Insurance companies sometimes use that uncertainty to challenge legitimate claims.
These disputes can become especially frustrating because the injured person expects support from their own insurance company. We understand this frustration, and we’re prepared to fight your own carrier with the same tenacity as we bring to typical car accident claims.
At Parker & McConkie, we work to build a claim supported by evidence, documentation, and expert analysis when appropriate. Our goal is to present a clear picture of what happened and how the injuries have affected your life, regardless of which insurance company we are dealing with.
We help everyday people stand up for What's Right.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Hit and Run Accident in Provo?
A serious accident can lead to injuries and financial consequences that persist long after the collision. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital bills
- Surgical procedures
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Every case is different. Some injuries heal within weeks, while others create lasting limitations that affect a person's career, mobility, and daily activities. We conduct a thorough evaluation to ensure your claim includes both current losses and future consequences.
What If the Police Eventually Identify the Driver?
Sometimes a hit-and-run driver is identified days, weeks, or even months after the crash. When that happens, additional legal options may become available.
The driver may face criminal charges for leaving the scene of an accident. Criminal proceedings are different from your civil injury claim because prosecutors focus on enforcing criminal laws and punishing those who break the law. A civil accident injury case focuses on obtaining compensation for the injured victim.
Although they are separate legal actions, evidence developed during the criminal investigation may also help strengthen a civil claim. Our attorneys can evaluate how the identification of the driver affects your available options and determine the best strategy moving forward in your injury case.
What If You Were Partially Responsible for the Crash?
Insurance companies sometimes attempt to shift blame to injured accident victims, particularly when the at-fault driver cannot be identified. They may argue that your actions contributed to the collision in order to reduce the amount they must pay on your claim. If that happens, Utah's modified comparative fault rules may apply.
Under Utah law, if you were partially at fault for the crash, you may still recover compensation if you are less than 50% responsible. However, your recovery will be reduced according to your percentage of fault. If you are found 50% or more responsible, you generally cannot recover compensation from another responsible party.
Because fault disputes directly affect your potential compensation, our attorneys work to gather evidence that accurately reflects what occurred, minimize your responsibility if possible, and challenge any unsupported allegations of fault.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Hit and Run Accident Lawsuit in Utah?
Most Utah personal injury claims are subject to a four-year statute of limitations. Although four years may seem like plenty of time, waiting even a few weeks after a hit and run collision can make it harder to preserve evidence and build a strong case.
For example, surveillance footage may be deleted, witnesses may become difficult to locate, and important details may fade from memory. Prompt action often provides the best opportunity to protect your claim.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Provo Hit and Run Accident Attorney?
At Parker & McConkie, we handle hit-and-run accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay upfront attorney fees, hourly rates, or retainers. Instead, our fee comes from the recovery we obtain on your behalf.
This arrangement allows all injured accident victims to work with our skilled legal professionals without adding financial pressure during an already stressful time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hit and Run Claims
Do I have a case if nobody saw who hit me?
Possibly. Many hit-and-run claims proceed through uninsured motorist coverage even when the responsible driver is never identified. Our attorneys can review the circumstances of the collision and determine what options may be available.
What if the driver who fled the scene was uninsured?
If the driver is identified but lacks insurance coverage, your uninsured motorist policy may still provide protection. The specific coverage available depends on your policy and the facts of the case.
Can my own insurance company deny a hit-and-run claim?
Yes, insurance companies may deny coverage or dispute certain aspects of a claim. That is one reason you should seek legal representation when pursuing uninsured motorist benefits.
Will criminal charges help my injury case?
The criminal and civil systems serve different purposes, but evidence developed during a criminal investigation can sometimes support a personal injury claim.
How quickly should surveillance footage be preserved?
As quickly as possible. Many businesses automatically overwrite or delete surveillance footage after a relatively short period. Early investigation may help preserve valuable evidence.
Contact the Provo Hit and Run Accident Lawyers at Parker & McConkie Today
A hit-and-run driver may have left the scene, but that does not mean you should be left carrying the financial burden of the accident. Before assuming there is no path forward, speak with an attorney who understands how these cases work, what insurance coverage may apply, and what evidence can help support your claim.
The team at Parker & McConkie has spent more than four decades helping injured Utah residents pursue legal accountability and financial recovery for their losses after serious accidents.
Call (801) 788-4017 today for a free consultation with our Provo hit and run accident lawyers.