Summerville Hit-and-Run Victims’ Rights

Understanding Hit-and-Run Accidents in Summerville image A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without stopping to exchange information, render aid, or report the incident to law enforcement. Under South Carolina law, drivers must stop and remain at the scene when an accident results in injury, death, or property damage.

Hit-and-run incidents are unfortunately common in South Carolina, including throughout Summerville and Berkeley County. These crashes often involve rear-end collisions on busy roads, pedestrian accidents downtown, and parking lot impacts in shopping centers. Drivers flee for various reasons—driving under the influence, lacking insurance, driving with a suspended license, or simply panicking—but victims still have legal rights and options for recovery.

Immediate Steps After a Hit-and-Run Accident

Your actions right after a hit-and-run can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation.

Ensure safety and seek medical care. Even minor injuries may worsen later, so always get checked by a medical professional.
Gather information about the fleeing vehicle—license plate (even partial), make, model, color, or unique features.
Talk to witnesses and collect their names and contact information. Learn what questions to ask car accident witnesses.
Photograph the scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, and any visible injuries. Proper accident scene photography is crucial evidence.
Report the crash immediately to the Summerville Police Department or local law enforcement.

South Carolina requires reporting of accidents that cause injury, death, or significant property damage according to SCDMV regulations. The responding officer’s police report becomes critical evidence for your claim—be factual and thorough, but avoid speculation about fault.

Your Legal Rights as a Hit-and-Run Victim

Under S.C. Code § 56-5-1210, it is illegal for a driver to leave the scene of an accident involving injury or death without stopping, providing identification, and rendering reasonable aid. For property-damage-only crashes, § 56-5-1220 applies.

As a victim, you have several rights:

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM): South Carolina law mandates that all auto policies include uninsured motorist coverage equal to your liability limits. In a hit-and-run, the unknown driver is treated as an uninsured motorist, allowing you to pursue compensation through your own policy—provided you report the crash promptly and meet policy requirements. (S.C. Code § 38-77-150)
Civil Lawsuit if the Driver Is Identified: If police later identify the at-fault driver, you can bring a personal injury lawsuit within South Carolina’s three-year statute of limitations.
Right to Fair Treatment: Your insurer must investigate claims in good faith and pay valid claims promptly. If they deny or undervalue your claim, you have the right to challenge that decision with legal counsel. Understanding how to deal with insurance companies is essential.

Types of Compensation Available to Victims

Hit-and-run victims may be entitled to several forms of compensation:

Medical Expenses: Hospital care, emergency transport, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and future medical needs. This includes treatment for traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious conditions.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Income lost during recovery, plus reduced ability to work long-term if injuries cause disability. Learn more about calculating lost wages.
Property Damage: Vehicle repair or replacement and damage to personal items in the car (e.g., phone, laptop).
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Understanding how pain and suffering damages are calculated helps set realistic expectations.

Detailed medical and expense records are essential to prove these damages.

How Insurance Coverage Works in Hit-and-Run Cases

Your uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is typically your primary protection after a hit-and-run. By law, South Carolina drivers must carry minimum UM coverage equal to their liability limits according to South Carolina Department of Insurance regulations. You can also buy higher limits for added security.

However, insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by:

Questioning the severity or cause of your injuries
Disputing medical necessity
Claiming pre-existing conditions

Working with an experienced Summerville car accident lawyer ensures that your insurer honors the policy’s terms and protects your rights. Learn about protecting yourself from insurance companies and their tactics.

The Investigation Process in Summerville

Law enforcement agencies in Summerville and Berkeley County take hit-and-run accidents seriously. The Summerville Police Department often collaborates with the South Carolina Highway Patrol and neighboring jurisdictions.

Modern investigative methods include:

Reviewing traffic and business surveillance footage
Analyzing vehicle debris, paint transfer, and skid marks to identify vehicle make/model
Gathering witness statements and even partial license plates
Monitoring social media reports from bystanders who post about local accidents

In severe injury cases, private investigators can supplement law enforcement work. At Crantford Meehan, we partner with skilled investigators to strengthen our clients’ cases. Understanding how long hit-and-run investigations take helps manage expectations during this difficult time.

When to Contact a Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney

car crash on seen on side mirror Some minor property-damage claims can be handled directly with insurers, but most hit-and-run cases—especially those with injuries—require professional legal help. Contact an attorney if:

You suffered serious or long-term injuries
Your insurance company delays or denies your claim
There are disputes about liability or coverage
The hit-and-run driver was impaired, uninsured, or unidentified

Evidence disappears quickly, so immediate legal action improves your chances of success. Attorneys can issue preservation letters for video footage and electronic vehicle data before they’re lost. Learn about the evidence needed to prove your claim and why timing matters.

Why Choose Crantford Meehan for Your Hit-and-Run Case

[Firm-name] has extensive experience representing victims of hit-and-run and uninsured motorist cases across Berkeley County and the greater Charleston area.

Our attorneys, William Crantford and Jerry Meehan Jr., are Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College graduates. Our firm holds an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®—the highest peer distinction for legal ability and ethics. View William Crantford’s Martindale-Hubbell profile and Jerry Meehan Jr.’s Martindale-Hubbell profile to verify their credentials independently.

Proven Results

Our record of results includes multimillion-dollar recoveries for victims of serious vehicle collisions, such as:

$2.35 million settlement for a family injured in a tractor-trailer rear-end crash on I-26
$1 million settlement for a passenger injured in a DUI crash in Florence
Numerous six-figure settlements for complex multi-vehicle accidents across South Carolina

While not all case details are public, these results demonstrate our capacity to handle severe and high-stakes injury claims.

Our Commitment

No fees unless we win: We work on a contingency-fee basis.
24/7 availability: We understand serious accidents don’t follow a schedule.
Full-service support: From coordinating medical care to managing insurance negotiations, our team handles every step so you can focus on recovery.

Call [Firm-name] today at phone-number linked=true] for a free consultation.