Hit-and-run accidents in Vermont can leave victims overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. Learn when hiring a lawyer can protect your rights and maximize compensation.

Immediate Steps After a Hit and Run in Vermont

Being the victim of a hit-and-run crash is not just physically jarring—it can also create major legal and financial uncertainty. Vermont law requires all drivers involved in an accident to stop and provide information, but some flee the scene, leaving victims without answers. If you're involved in this type of incident, your actions in the hours that follow can shape your ability to recover damages.

Here’s what to do right away:

• Call 911 and report the accident. This creates a police record that’s essential for both insurance claims and any legal action.
• Seek medical attention, even if you feel okay. Some injuries don’t show up immediately, and medical records will be key evidence.
• Document the scene with photos, witness statements, and anything that might identify the other vehicle—like make, color, or partial license plate.
• Notify your insurer, even if you don’t yet have the at-fault driver’s information.

Failing to act quickly can result in lost evidence, missed deadlines, and limited legal recourse. That’s why knowing when to involve a Vermont hit-and-run attorney matters.

Signs You Should Contact a Hit-and-Run Lawyer in Vermont

Not every accident requires a lawyer, but hit-and-run collisions are a different story. You may be dealing with limited information, uncooperative insurance companies, or complex legal issues around liability. Here are key indicators that it’s time to seek legal help:

• You suffered serious injuries that require hospitalization or long-term treatment.
• The at-fault driver remains unidentified, complicating your ability to file a third-party claim.
• Your insurance company is denying or underpaying your claim, especially if you’re relying on uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.
• You’re unsure how to access all available compensation, including lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
• You’re being pressured into settling quickly, before the full extent of your damages is known.

A skilled Vermont personal injury attorney can step in to investigate, communicate with insurers, and help secure the evidence needed to support your claim.

Vermont Laws on Hit-and-Run Accidents

Under 23 V.S.A. § 1128, drivers involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage must stop and remain at the scene. Leaving without exchanging information or rendering aid is a criminal offense.

If the driver who hit you is eventually identified, they may face:

• Misdemeanor charges for property damage
• Felony charges if the crash caused injury or death
• Civil liability for any harm you suffered, including economic and non-economic damages

In cases where the driver is never found, Vermont law allows victims to pursue compensation through uninsured motorist coverage, which is mandatory in the state. However, these claims can still be difficult to navigate without legal help—especially when insurers resist paying the full value of the claim.

Why Timing Matters: Statute of Limitations and Evidence

The longer you wait to hire a lawyer, the harder it may be to build a strong case. In Vermont, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you may lose the right to sue entirely.

Other time-sensitive factors include:

• Surveillance footage that may get erased within days or weeks
• Witness memories that fade quickly
• Vehicle damage that may be repaired or destroyed before inspection

Hiring a lawyer early ensures prompt preservation of evidence and immediate action against insurers or defendants.

Dealing With Insurance After a Hit and Run

Vermont drivers are required to carry uninsured motorist coverage with minimums of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. If the other driver flees and can’t be identified, this coverage becomes your financial lifeline. But filing a UM claim doesn’t guarantee easy approval.

Common challenges include:

• Disputes over whether a hit-and-run occurred
• Arguments over the extent of injuries
• Claims that your policy doesn’t apply due to technicalities

Experienced attorneys know how to negotiate these issues, bring in medical and accident reconstruction experts, and demand the full payout you’re entitled to under the policy.

How a Lawyer Can Strengthen Your Vermont Hit-and-Run Case

An attorney can step in as both your advocate and investigator. Here’s how legal representation can help:

• Launch an independent investigation to locate the hit-and-run driver
• Work with law enforcement to supplement their findings
• File claims efficiently and thoroughly to avoid procedural denials
• Negotiate with insurance companies to ensure fair compensation
• Pursue a civil lawsuit if a liable party is identified

Most personal injury lawyers in Vermont work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they don’t get paid unless you recover compensation. That removes a major barrier for victims unsure whether they can afford help.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Even when the other driver can’t be located, victims of hit-and-run accidents in Vermont may still be entitled to damages such as:

• Medical expenses (emergency care, surgeries, therapy)
• Lost income from missed work or reduced earning ability
• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
• Vehicle repairs or replacement costs

If the driver is found and their behavior was especially reckless, punitive damages may also be an option, though they’re awarded more rarely.

Conclusion

Hit-and-run accidents often leave victims feeling powerless—but you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Whether the driver is located or not, a Vermont personal injury attorney can help you assert your rights, gather evidence, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward. Don’t wait until your options are limited. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is One Phone Call Away

Navigating Vermont hit-and-run claims can be challenging. Fortunately, you don't need to do it alone. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, are available 24/7 to help you understand your legal options, gather necessary evidence, and build a strong case to secure the settlement you deserve.

Contact us now for a free legal review.