Any car accident can be stressful enough on its own, but being involved in a hit-and-run collision can make things feel even more overwhelming. If you’ve been injured in a crash in Sterling Heights, Michigan, you might worry about how you’ll pay for your medical bills and vehicle repairs if the responsible driver left the scene.
Under Michigan law, you still have rights and legal options even if the other driver is never found. Contact a qualified Sterling Heights car accident attorney to guide you through this difficult situation and help you understand your next steps. Learn more about your options from a Michigan hit-and-run accident lawyer.
Khamo Law’s Sterling Heights hit and run lawyers work from an office in the city, helping drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists throughout Macomb County who were hurt by a driver who fled the scene.
Michigan’s Hit and Run Laws
Michigan drivers involved in auto accidents are legally required to remain at the scene and exchange information. Unfortunately, some drivers panic and flee instead, violating the law and making your situation much harder to deal with after the fact.
Hit and run is considered a crime in Michigan, especially if injuries are involved. Penalties for leaving the scene of an injury-causing accident can include fines, suspension of driving privileges, and even jail time.
Although a criminal investigation can help locate the at-fault driver, you don’t have to wait until they’re found to start pursuing compensation for your injuries.
For a crash that injures someone, MCL 257.617a makes leaving the scene a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, along with a license suspension. If the crash causes a serious impairment of body function or a death, MCL 257.617 makes leaving the scene a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison, or up to 15 years if the driver caused a crash that killed someone.
Steps To Take After a Hit and Run Auto Accident in Sterling Heights
If you’ve been involved in a Sterling Heights hit-and-run car accident, taking certain steps right away can greatly improve your chances of successfully recovering damages. Here’s what you should do:
- Contact law enforcement immediately to report the incident. Having a police report will be crucial evidence in your case.
- Note any details about the vehicle that hit you. Even small details like color, model, partial license plates, or bumper stickers can help the investigation.
- Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any injuries you sustained.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Even minor injuries could become serious later, and prompt treatment creates important medical records for your claim.
- Inform your insurance provider as soon as possible. Michigan’s no-fault insurance system allows your policy to cover medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who was at fault.
However, keep in mind that the insurance company is out to make a profit, not pay the full value of your claim. It may be in your best interest to set up a free case review with a Sterling Heights personal injury lawyer to ensure you set yourself up for maximum compensation.
How to Get a Sterling Heights Hit and Run Crash Report
Hit and run crashes in Sterling Heights happen on busy roads such as M-59 (Hall Road), Van Dyke Avenue, Mound Road, Metro Parkway and Dequindre Road, as well as in parking lots and neighborhoods. Wherever it happened, the Sterling Heights Police Department report is often the most important piece of evidence in a hit and run claim.
You can usually get a copy of a Sterling Heights crash report online through LexisNexis by entering Michigan, the Sterling Heights Police Department and your report number. You can also request it from the Police Department’s Records Bureau at 40333 Dodge Park Road, in person on weekdays or through a written Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Reports for open investigations may not be released right away.
When you hire Khamo Law, our team requests the police report for you and reviews it as part of investigating your claim, so you do not have to track it down yourself while you are recovering.
Insurance Coverage After a Hit and Run Car Accident in Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan operates under a no-fault insurance system. This means that, even if the other driver left the scene, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage typically pays your medical bills and lost wages. However, the amount provided by PIP can sometimes be limited and might not fully cover your expenses, particularly if your injuries are severe.
If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, your policy could provide additional financial protection as well. UM coverage is designed specifically for scenarios such as hit-and-run accidents, allowing you to recover compensation beyond your standard no-fault benefits.
What If No Auto Insurance Covers You? The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan
If you were hit by a driver who fled and no auto insurance policy applies to you, such as your own policy or a household member’s policy, you may still be able to claim No-Fault benefits through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP). Under MCL 500.3172, the plan provides personal injury protection (PIP) benefits when no applicable PIP coverage can be identified. Under MCL 500.3174, the claim must be submitted within 1 year after the accident, so it is important not to wait.
Deadlines After a Hit and Run in Michigan
Several different deadlines can apply after a hit and run, and missing one can cost you benefits:
- No-Fault (PIP) benefits: written notice to the insurance company generally must be given within 1 year of the accident under MCL 500.3145.
- Assigned Claims Plan: if no insurance applies, the claim must be made within 1 year under MCL 500.3174.
- Uninsured motorist claims: these depend on the terms of your policy, and many policies require prompt reporting to the police and the insurer, so review your policy right away.
- Lawsuit against the driver: if the driver is later identified, a Michigan injury lawsuit generally must be filed within 3 years under MCL 600.5805.
Sterling Heights Hit and Run Lawyer FAQs
Can I get compensation if the hit and run driver is never found?
Often, yes. Michigan No-Fault benefits can pay medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash, and uninsured motorist coverage, if your policy includes it, may cover pain and suffering that No-Fault does not.
Do I need a police report for a hit and run claim?
A police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence, and many uninsured motorist policies require that the crash be reported to police promptly. Call the police from the scene or as soon as possible afterward.
What if I was a pedestrian or cyclist hit by a driver who fled?
You may still be able to claim No-Fault benefits through your own auto policy or a household member’s policy, or through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan if no policy applies.
How much does it cost to hire Khamo Law?
Khamo Law handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact a Sterling Heights Hit-and-Run Lawyer
Navigating a hit-and-run accident can feel impossible when you’re dealing with serious injuries and financial losses. Insurance companies often look for reasons to limit their payouts in these cases, making it even more important to have an experienced car accident attorney in your corner.
At Khamo Law, we offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe us anything in attorney’s fees unless we secure compensation for you. Contact our Sterling Heights accident lawyers today at (248) 466-0606 to get started with your case.
When you work with a Sterling Heights hit and run lawyer at Khamo Law, you work with a firm that holds a 5.0-star rating from more than 230 Google reviews. Founding attorney Koro E. Khamo has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star and one of The National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40.