Hit and Run Accident Lawyers in Columbus
“Hit and run” is a common term used everywhere from car accidents to baseball jargon. Most people have a vague idea of what a hit and run is, but it’s actually a term with the following legal definition: “when a person is involved in a car accident (either with a pedestrian, another car, or a fixed object) and then leaves the scene without stopping to identify themselves or render aid to anyone who might need assistance.”
A hit and run is a serious offense and one that can have a drastic impact on a person’s life. An accident is considered a hit and run if a person flees the scene of the accident regardless of which party was at fault. If you’ve been the victim of a hit and run in Ohio, you may have legal recourse. Call the hit and run accident attorneys at Rinehardt Injury Attorneys today. Any car accident is a traumatic experience. Not only can a car accident cause physical harm and costly property damage, but it can also be the source of long-term emotional and mental health problems. This is especially harmful if your children or other young family members witnessed or were directly involved in the accident.
With a hit and run accident, there is greater potential for injury or death, and there’s no opportunity to exchange insurance information or check on the other driver. There’s also often an overlap between a hit and run accident and another offense, like distracted driving or driving while intoxicated. The party that commits the hit and run often has a pressing reason to do so. This can make for accidents with higher amounts of damage. Luckily, Ohio law provides recourse if you find yourself in this situation. Rinehardt Injury Attorneys is ready to help you navigate this unfortunate experience. Schedule a free and confidential consultation with our skilled lawyers by calling (419) 529-2020.
Some of the most dangerous roads in Ohio are in the Columbus area. This puts drivers in Columbus at higher risk of getting in an accident in the first place, and subsequently of being involved in a hit and run accident. Because of how serious hit and run accidents can be, they carry a significant set of penalties. An individual convicted of a hit and run offense in Ohio can expect fines up to $500, a driver’s license suspension lasting no less than six months, and even jail time. If you’ve been involved in a car accident in the Columbus area, call our team immediately to talk about what we can do to help you get back on your feet.
Why You Need A Lawyer
The most important thing you can do in the wake of a hit and run accident is to call a qualified lawyer to talk about your legal options. Regardless of whether you were the responsible party, you need to be advised of your legal options immediately to ensure you’re following the laws as best as possible. Call Rinehardt Injury Attorneys today at (419) 529-2020 so our qualified attorneys can help you navigate the complex legal process that comes with hit and run injury claims.
A car accident takes a physical and emotional toll on a person. The last thing you need is to try to handle your case without any help. You need a legal team with the experience and care necessary to handle your case every step of the way. From filing the initial paperwork to a potential court case or settlement, you need a lawyer that will provide exceptional legal counsel.
A personal injury attorney can ensure your case is filed within the statute of limitations and in the correct jurisdiction. You will also need a lawyer to deal with both your insurance company and the insurance company of the other party. Insurance companies are suspicious and methodical by nature. They make their money by turning down and reducing as many claims as possible. Without the help of an experienced lawyer, dealing with insurance companies alone can be frustrating and may significantly prolong your case. Our team at Rinehardt Injury Attorneys offers the highest quality service, handling every aspect of your case and keeping you updated on its progress so you can focus on your recovery.
Why Choose Rinehardt Injury Attorneys
Our team here at Rinehardt Injury Attorneys has more than 100 years of experience practicing law in Ohio. We’re laser-focused on personal injury law, and we have significant experience winning cases for people just like you. In the event of a serious hit and run case, you need a team of lawyers who know Ohio personal injury law backward and forward. At Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, we have a vast knowledge of Ohio insurance regulation, and we know how to leverage the court system to get you the results you need and deserve. Our years of practice working with clients in front of Ohio trial judges makes us uniquely qualified to help you.
The thing that makes our law firm stand above the rest is how we treat our clients. We know just how traumatic and stressful a hit and run accident can be, and we want to take as much of the load off you as possible. We pride ourselves on regular check-ins with our clients to make sure you’re getting the most out of our services. We’ll keep you updated on the status of your case and let you know exactly what we’re doing to help you. With Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, you’re never in the dark about your case.
Types of Hit and Run Cases We Handle
At Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, we handle a wide variety of hit and run cases, including but not limited to:
- Driver hit another vehicle causing injuries, death, and/or property damage
- Driver hit a pedestrian causing injury or wrongful death
- Driver hit a parked car causing property damage
- Driver hit a telephone pole or other structure causing property damage
If you’ve been involved in any type of hit and run accident, we can help. Call Rinehardt Injury Attorneys today so we can get to work on helping you recover the compensation you need and deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, we get a lot of questions from clients regarding their hit and run cases. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions. We hope you find the following answers helpful. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable Ohio hit and run attorneys if you have any questions about your particular case.
What if I believe I have committed or been wrongly charged with a hit and run?
No matter which part of a hit and run you were involved in, there are legal steps you should take. There are some exemptions under Ohio law that may be able to help you find resolution in your particular case. For example, an accident is not considered a hit and run if the individual steps away from the scene to call their insurance or takes other steps consistent with addressing the accident as long as they return in a timely manner. There are a number of potential defenses for an individual who believes they have been wrongly charged with a hit and run. If you didn’t realize you had been in an accident, if you weren’t the driver of the vehicle, if you were in a one-car accident, or if you were arrested before the end of the reporting period, you may have a legitimate case for being wrongly charged with a hit and run. Call our team now to discuss how we can help you clear your name or lessen your sentence.
What if I hit an animal with my car?
In some places, a hit and run is also an accident where an automobile strikes an animal – regardless of whether or not the driver leaves the scene of the crime. This is not part of Ohio law and not something you should worry about unless your accident happened outside of the state. However, this doesn’t mean you’re completely off the hook. You’re legally required to report that there’s an animal down if it happens on a major road.
What if I think what I did was a “hit skip?”
There’s a misconception that a “hit skip” is an offense separate from a hit and run. “Hit skip” is just a colloquial term for a hit and run. It isn’t an offense under state law, and there aren’t lighter penalties if you or the other party refer to the accident as a “hit skip.”
How likely am I to be in a hit and run accident?
In the United States, a hit and run accident occurs faster than once per minute. That means more than 1,400 hit and run accidents happen every single day in our country. Hit and runs are a tragic type of accident because at least 20% of pedestrian deaths over the past 10 years happened as a result of hit and runs.
Contact Us
We’ve put together a highly qualified team at Rinehardt Injury Attorneys to help you deal with the results of your traumatic hit and run accident. If you’ve been in a hit and run, there’s no time to waste. Call us today at (419) 529-2020 to discuss the details of your case with an experienced member of our team. We are ready to help in any way we can. Don’t wait, call today!
