Hit and Run Car Accidents in South Carolina
Fort Mill, SC Attorney
When a person is involved in a vehicle accident and leaves the scene without providing assistance or the required identifying information, he or she may face both civil and criminal liability for a hit and run accident. Recently, in Aiken County, South Carolina, local news reported that a 15-year old teenager died from multiple trauma due to being hit by a vehicle. The driver of the SUV involved left the scene without rendering assistance. He was arrested shortly thereafter.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit and run accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. You should seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney such as Justin Bice of the law firm of Bice Law, LLC.
Duties to Provide Information and Render Aid
Relevant provisions of South Carolina statutes require that the driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in damage to a vehicle or other property that is driven or attended to by another person stop and provide his or her name, address, registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving and, if requested and available, his or her license or permit to drive. If the property owner or operator is not present to receive the driver’s information, then the driver is required to leave a conspicuous written notice containing his or her name and address and a statement of the circumstances for the accident.
If the crash results in injury to another person, including a passenger, South Carolina statute requires that the driver stop immediately, provide his or her name, address, registration information, and driver’s license. Additionally, the driver must render reasonable aid to the injured person by transporting, or making arrangements for the transportation, of the person to a medical professional for medical or surgical treatment, if the need is apparent or the injured person requests assistance.
Personal Injury Suit for Hit and Run Accident
In addition to the potential criminal penalties, a civil personal injury suit is also possible in a hit and run accident against the responsible driver. This occurs separately from the criminal prosecution and is intended to provide hit and run victims with compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. In addition to compensatory damages, victims of hit and run crashes are also more likely to be able to obtain punitive damages from the offending driver. Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future, and in hit and run cases, showing the kind of conduct that deserves punitive damages is easier because of the affirmative failure to render assistance that is needed.
Hit and run accidents that result in injuries and damages can result in complicated court proceedings involving separate criminal and civil proceedings over the same accident. If you are considering filing a suit for injuries suffered in a hit and run accident in North or South Carolina, Bice Law, LLC can provide you with the expertise and effective advocacy you need to pursue your case and obtain compensation for your injuries. Contact us today for a free initial consultation by calling our toll-free number at 877-BICE-877 or by submitting our online form.
Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Bice Law
The personal injury firm of Bice Law will examine your case to determine the type and amount of damages that your injury warrants, including payments for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and any permanent disability. We’ll determine whether an out-of-court settlement or trial is the best strategy to obtain maximum benefits for you or your family. If you have suffered injury or harm because of someone else’s actions, take the first step to protect your legal rights – contact the personal injury firm of Bice Law serving both North and South Carolina. You only have a limited time after your injury to file a claim, so act quickly. Call 877-BICE-877 today or submit an online request to get a free consultation with a personal injury attorney. We serve families across both North Carolina and South Carolina.