Illinois Hit & Run Attorneys

Top-Rated Car Accident Attorneys for Victims of Vehicles That Flee the Scene in Naperville and St. Charles

A hit-and-run crash is one of the most senseless and devastating acts a driver can commit. When someone causes a serious accident and flees the scene, they leave behind injured victims, unanswered questions, and an uphill legal battle. At John J. Malm & Associates, we help Illinois hit-and-run victims navigate this difficult process and secure the financial compensation they deserve. Our experienced team has recovered millions of dollars in uninsured motorist (UM) claims, including complex hit-and-run cases where a driver flees the scene after a crash.

What Is a Hit and Run Accident in Illinois?

A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver involved in a crash fails to stop and provide identification, assistance, or insurance information. Under Illinois law, it is illegal for a driver to leave the scene of an accident involving injury, death, or property damage.

Unfortunately, hit-and-run crashes are alarmingly common in Illinois. In a single year, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reported over 36,000 hit-and-run crashes statewide. Victims are often left injured, without recourse against the driver, and wondering how to cover their medical bills and financial losses.

Why Do Hit and Run Drivers Flee After a Crash?

Many clients understandably ask: “Why would anyone flee the scene after causing an accident?”

While every case is different, studies and experience show that hit-and-run drivers often flee for the following reasons:

1. They lack insurance and fear financial consequences.
2. They are impaired by drugs or alcohol and want to avoid a DUI arrest.
3. They have outstanding warrants or are facing criminal charges.
4. They are driving without a valid license or registration.
5. They panic and act irrationally due to fear or shock.
6. They fear immigration-related consequences.
7. They selfishly choose to avoid responsibility.

Whatever the reason, their decision to flee leaves innocent victims behind to deal with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences.

How Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage Protects Hit and Run Victims

When a driver flees the scene of an accident and is never identified, Illinois law allows victims to bring an Uninsured Motorist (UM) claim under their own auto insurance policy.

Illinois requires that all auto insurance policies include UM coverage. This coverage is designed to protect individuals injured by drivers who have no insurance — including hit-and-run drivers.

UM coverage can help you recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Property damage (if applicable)

Will County, Illinois. Truck accident, uninsured motorist, hit and run. A settlement for $100,000 (policy limits) was reached by attorney John J. Malm in an uninsured motorist claim (UM) on behalf of a man who was suffered serious shoulder injuries when a semi-tractor trailer struck his vehicle and fled the scene. A lawsuit was initially filed against a trucking company based on the man’s description that identified the truck; however, the lawsuit was later voluntarily dismissed because GPS data obtained by law enforcement could not confirm the location of the truck at the time of the accident. An uninsured motorist claim was brought against the man’s automobile insurance, and a policy limits settlement was reached before arbitration.

Why Should you be Represented by Counsel in a Hit and Run Case?

An attorney can help you identify available insurance coverage and assist you in timely filing your claim against the insurance carrier in accordance with the rules for uninsured motorist claims and the specific terms of coverage under the policy. Remember, uninsured motorist claims create a conflict of interest between you and your insurance carrier. As in any adverse proceeding or litigation, you should consult with an attorney who has experience in litigating uninsured motorist claims. Your attorney should put forth a settlement or litigation strategy targeted to achieving the highest possible settlement.

An experienced and knowledgeable attorney can be particularly valuable in confronting and resolving hospital, physician, and subrogation “liens” which arise from paid and unpaid medical expenses alike. This process must be completed before the overall settlement is finalized. I am often able to provide my clients with valuable assistance in resolving or adjudicating expensive liens that were filed against their claim (and actually compete against the client’s net settlement), which result in substantial savings to the client in determining the net settlement amount they will receive. Remember, each dollar reduced or eliminated from a competing lien translates to a dollar earned by my client. For example, when a lien is reduced by $10,000, it results in a $10,000 additional net recovery to my client, and so on. Do not overlook this important fact when you consider whether to hire an attorney, or whom you hire. Get a lawyer who gets results.

Examples of Successful Hit and Run Accidents Handled by Our Firm

At John J. Malm & Associates, we have handled numerous successful hit-and-run claims. Here are two recent examples of successful recoveries we have made for our clients:

$100,000 Settlement – Semi-Truck Hit-and-Run in Will County, Illinois

Our client suffered serious shoulder injuries when a semi-tractor trailer struck his vehicle and fled the scene. Although a lawsuit was initially filed against a suspected trucking company based on our client’s description of the truck, law enforcement’s GPS data could not confirm the truck’s location, and the lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed with a successful UM claim that immediately followed. In the Uninsured Motorist claim under our client’s auto insurance policy, we were able to secure a policy-limit settlement of $100,000.

$100,000 Settlement – High-Speed Police Chase Involving Turo Vehicle

Our client was severely injured when a rented Turo vehicle collided with his car during a high-speed police chase. The at-fault driver lacked valid insurance, and no coverage was available through the rental platform – a new and growing problem with such rental agreements. We filed an Uninsured Motorist claim on our client’s behalf and obtained a policy-limit settlement of $100,000 to cover his substantial medical expenses, lost income, and permanent injuries.

Challenges in Hit and Run Accident Claims

While UM coverage provides a path to compensation, bringing a hit-and-run claim is not always simple. Insurance companies may:

• Dispute the severity of your injuries.
• Argue that the accident was not a true hit-and-run.
• Delay, undervalue, or deny your UM claim.

Additionally, victims face the emotional burden of knowing the driver who injured them was never held accountable. At John J. Malm & Associates, our award-winning Naperville car accident lawyers help our clients navigate these challenges and make sure their claims are presented clearly, thoroughly, and effectively.

How John J. Malm & Associates Can Help You After a Hit and Run Crash

Our experienced car accident attorneys will:

• Investigate the crash and work with law enforcement.
• Obtain and preserve critical evidence.
• Collect your medical records and documentation.
• Aggressively negotiate with the insurance company.
• Pursue litigation or arbitration if necessary.

We understand how insurance companies evaluate hit-and-run claims and will fight to ensure your claim is taken seriously.

“Hit-and-run crashes are among the most tragic cases we see. The driver who caused the harm disappears, leaving victims injured, frightened, and without answers. But that doesn’t mean justice is out of reach. Our job is to make sure hit-and-run victims get the compensation they deserve — and the accountability they are owed.”- John J. Malm, Naperville car accident lawyer

Why Choose John J. Malm & Associates for Your Hit and Run Accident?

At John J. Malm & Associates, we are dedicated to protecting accident victims across Illinois. Our team of six award-winning Illinois injury attorneys brings over 90 years of combined experience handling complex personal injury claims. We have successfully represented clients in challenging hit-and-run cases, including those involving Uninsured Motorist claims.  Our firm has recovered millions of dollars uninsured motorist compensation for injured victims.

We proudly serve clients from our offices conveniently located in Naperville and St. Charles and represent injury victims throughout Illinois. If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run accident, contact us today for a free consultation. We are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.