Authorities are searching for an SUV driver who struck and injured a bicyclist in a Batavia hit-and-run crash.
Bicycle Sideswiped in Batavia Hit-and-Run Crash
The Batavia hit-and-run crash took place shortly before 9:45 p.m. on October 14, 2020. At that time, a 37-year-old North Aurora man was riding an illuminated bicycle south at the 400 block of South River Street, near the shoulder of the road. An SUV then came up behind the cyclist and sideswiped him.
The SUV has been described as either black or dark gray. It is also believed to have damage to the rear passenger-side taillight.
The bicyclist sustained what were reportedly non-life-threatening injuries in the Batavia hit-and-run crash.
Hit-and-Run Crashes Create Obstacles for Victims
Hit-and-run accidents carry significant criminal penalties for the drivers who fail to stop at the scene, with up to seven years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000.00 for cases involving injury, and up to fifteen years in prison when somebody is killed.
But even with these serious penalties, incidents like the Batavia hit-and-run crash remain rampant in the United States. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that:
- Eleven percent of all American traffic accidents involve hit-and-run drivers.
- There is more than one hit-and-run crash per minute.
- Since 1986, there has been an average of 682,000 hit-and-run accidents annually.
These statistics become more troubling when you consider that hit-and-run crashes create greater obstacles for victims who seek compensation for their injuries. By definition, hit-and-run drivers leave a crash site before exchanging insurance information, potentially eliminating the chief source of financial recovery.
Can a Hit-and-Run Victim Be Compensated?
While obtaining compensation in these situations may be more difficult, it is not always impossible. If a hit-and-run driver is located, a victim could pursue a claim against that driver’s insurance policy.
Even if the at-fault party is not located, or if that party does not have adequate insurance, an injured person might still eligible to recover through uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is a policy of insurance designed to compensate motorists who have suffered damages from drivers who have no either insufficient coverage or no coverage at all.
While these types of policies typically apply to accidents involving the insured vehicles themselves, they could potentially be used to compensate policyholders who are injured in other vehicles, on bicycles, or on foot. In certain circumstances, those who do not own a vehicle with UM/UIM coverage MIGHT still be able to seek compensation, provided they reside with a close family member with a UM/UIM policy.
Car Accident Lawyers When You Need Them Most
So even in the event of a hit-and-run accident, multiple avenues of recovery may be available, though a successful outcome is never a sure thing. To increase your chances of obtaining full and fair compensation, it helps to have a skillful negotiator on your side, like the car accident attorneys at GWC Injury Lawyers LLC.
With over $2 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements, GWC is one of the premier Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation law firms in Illinois. No other firm in the state is more respected, or more feared, by its adversaries, both inside and outside of the courtroom. Let our dedicated Chicago car accident lawyers get you and your family get the justice you deserve.
If you or a loved one have been wrongfully injured as a result of someone else’s negligent actions, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with GWC today. You may call our office at (312) 464-1234 or click here to chat with a representative at any time.
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