A hit-and-run can leave you with injuries, repair bills and no insurance information. Knowing your options in this scenario helps you pursue compensation even when the police cannot identify the driver.
Claiming benefits after a hit-and-run
After a hit-and-run, you may need more than one part of an auto policy because each serves a different purpose. Kentucky basic reparation benefits are usually the starting point when you suffer injuries. They can pay a combined total of up to $10,000 for medical expenses, some of your lost income and similar out-of-pocket costs, regardless of fault.
In most cases, you seek this initial payment from the insurer for the car you occupied. That payment helps you address immediate needs after the crash.
The next source of recovery depends on the type of loss that remains. If police cannot identify the at-fault driver, uninsured motorist coverage may provide additional compensation for your injuries, while collision insurance can pay to repair your vehicle.
Your policy may require physical contact with the unidentified vehicle before uninsured motorist coverage applies. Any collision claim is also subject to the applicable deductible and policy limits.
Proving the fleeing driver’s fault
Leaving the scene does not automatically establish fault. You still need evidence explaining what happened and connecting the other motorist’s actions to the crash.
Promptly reporting the incident helps preserve details about the location, road conditions and what you told officers. Witnesses may describe the vehicle’s appearance, direction of travel or speed, while footage from traffic, business or doorbell cameras can show its movements.
The pattern of damage to your car can reveal the point of impact and direction of force. Taken together, this information helps the insurer compare your account with independent proof and assess fault.
Seeking the identified motorist’s coverage
Once officers locate the other driver, your claim may extend beyond your own policy. If that person carried liability insurance, it can provide payment for your injuries and property losses, subject to its limits.
Kentucky’s no-fault laws also place conditions on recovering pain and suffering. When those restrictions apply, you generally must incur more than $1,000 in medical expenses or suffer a fracture, permanent disfigurement, permanent injury or death to seek that compensation. The cost of repairing your car falls outside this threshold.
An attorney can review the liability policy, organize the evidence and calculate the damages you may seek under Kentucky law. The attorney may then negotiate with the insurer and determine whether filing a lawsuit is appropriate.