When you have been injured in an auto accident, it is expected that all involved parties remain at the scene to exchange information and speak to police. However, this does not always happen: Some drivers flee the scene, leaving injured parties wondering what to do and who to hold responsible for their losses. Less than 10 years ago, this was a rare situation. Most people feared going to jail if caught from a hit-and-run matter. However, today this has become a very common situation and many people do not realize this has become an epidemic out on the road with no signs of stopping. People now run from scenes of auto accidents and take the chance of getting caught.

Whether you were a pedestrian, bicyclist, passenger in a car or truck, or other driver and you were involved in a hit-and-run accident, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. At the Law Offices of Scott N. Bergman, LLC, headquartered in Maryland, we work tirelessly on behalf of our clients to see that they get what they need. We put clients first, representing a diverse population of injured victims and their families.

With the capabilities of a large firm, we pride ourselves on operating as many small firms do: with a personal touch and human interaction. Our hit-and-run cases are handled on an individual basis, with our approach being tailored to suit your specific needs and goals.

Hit-And-Run Injuries

Pedestrians and bicyclists are often the most severely injured in hit-and-runs, though any victim can sustain life-altering injuries. We stand up for the rights of clients who have sustained injuries such as:

• Closed head injuries, concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Open head wounds and facial lacerations
• Paralysis, nerve damage and spinal cord injuries
• Fractures and crushed bones
• Amputations and loss of limb
• Serious lacerations and abrasions (road rash)

We also represent surviving family members who have lost loved ones in fatal hit-and-run accidents. These can be our most difficult and emotional cases. Our personal injury Attorneys can walk you through the process of filing a wrongful death claim and even set up the Estate for your lost love one if requested.

If you have been hurt on roads in Washington, D.C., Maryland or Virginia, it is important to know that you have options — even if the driver drove away. If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, your own insurance company may be responsible for compensating you for the harm you experienced. In certain situations, drivers who left the scene of an accident may be tracked down with a tag trace.

Your Insurance Company Is Not Your Friend

In hit-and-runs, it is possible to get compensation for your injuries and losses through your own insurance company if the at-fault party is never located. This is called an uninsured motorist (UM) claim. However, we often see clients who are hesitant to take action against their own insurance company and hold some false sense of loyalty to it like a friend. But it is not your friend, it is a business that is in business to make a profit and run like a bank. Even if you have a great relationship with your insurance agent, that agent is charged with protecting the company’s bottom line, not yours. Insurance companies only know dollars and cents just like a bank. While an offer may be made to you, it is important that you do not accept it or make any agreement with your insurance company until you talk to us. Your insurance company is not looking out for you; we are. We have a fiduciary duty to you.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is the type of policy that is most likely to cover you in a hit-and-run. This is a type of coverage that you pay for as part of your premium; it is there for you to use when you need it. When insurance companies sell you your policy, they do not like to mention your UM claim rights. Why? Because by law, they have to include it in your policy, but they do not want you to be educated about your rights about this part of the policy because they will have little or no chance to recover their costs and by law they cannot raise your premiums in the future if you were to bring a valid UM claim to their attention. UM claims are usually a total loss for the insurance company. However, to bring a valid UM claim to your insurance company we must gather evidence to show that another party’s negligence is the reason you needed to file an accident claim under uninsured motorist coverage.

A Former Nurse, Now A Paralegal

A unique perspective that we can offer clients is that of one of our paralegals who is a former nurse. She uses her medical knowledge and experience to help us construct a strong case on your behalf.

Contact Us With Your Car Injury Case. Don’t Be A Victim Twice At The Hands Of The Insurance Industry — Get Legal Help Today!

Come to us with your fears, questions, and concerns. You will leave relieved with a knowledgeable ally on your side. Contact The Law Offices of Scott N. Bergman, LLC, by calling us at 301-330-4444. We offer free and confidential consultations in personal injury matters. You may also complete our online contact form to schedule a free and confidential consultation. We can answer your questions about how the law may apply in your situation, and we’ll answer any questions that you may have. Our injury client cases are based on a contingency fee situation so you pay no money upfront for our legal services.