Youngstown Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

Client-Focused Hit and Run Accident Attorney in Youngstown, OH

Whenever an accident happens in Youngstown, whether it occurs on a busy artery like Federal Street or a highway like I-680, the drivers involved are expected to stop and remain at the scene of the crash until first responders arrive. If a driver causes an accident and flees, this is a hit-and-run offense, and an injured driver will need legal assistance if they are injured in such a crash. You should consult a Youngstown hit-and-run accident lawyer right away if this happens to you.

Representing Injured Victims of Hit-and-Run Accidents in Youngstown, OH

The Gervelis Law Firm has decades of experience helping injured accident victims in Youngstown and surrounding communities of Mahoning County with all types of vehicle accident claims, including hit-and-run accidents. Founding attorney Mark Gervelis is a Board Certified Trial Lawyer with a strong record of success with many difficult cases, and our team is confident we can guide you to a favorable outcome in this challenging type of accident case. 

The Ohio State Highway Patrol recorded 17 deaths, 105 serious injuries, and hundreds more minor injuries in 5,596 crashes in Mahoning County in 2025. State law requires that when multiple drivers are involved in a collision, they are required to report the crash to 911 and remain at the scene until responding police officers allow them to leave. 

Causing a crash and then fleeing the scene is a criminal offense known as a hit-and-run. Between 2018 and 2022, more than four million Americans were involved in hit-and-run accidents nationwide, and more than 12,000 of these accidents were fatal. 

If you have suffered injuries and other damages in such an accident, this can be an incredibly difficult and frustrating experience. You may not know how to identify and locate the at-fault driver or how to recover your losses. Your Youngstown hit-and-run accident lawyer at the Gervelis Law Firm will be a crucial asset for every step of your case, and you are more likely to reach a favorable conclusion with our firm representing you. 

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in Youngstown

Any accident can be traumatic, and the first steps you take after a crash are crucial to your recovery. If another driver hits you and then flees the scene, try to record as much as possible and call 911 to report the accident right away. Providing the police with a description of the at-fault driver and their vehicle may help them locate them, and you should reach out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible after receiving medical attention. 

Every Ohio driver is required to have auto insurance that includes bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage. When a driver causes an accident that injures another party, the injured party has the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. If the at-fault driver is located after the hit-and-run, they face criminal charges from the state, and your attorney can help you file a claim against their auto insurance policy. 

However, one of the most common reasons why people commit hit-and-run violations is a lack of insurance. The at-fault driver may have caused your accident and then panicked, realizing they did not have insurance to pay for the damages. If the police successfully locate the at-fault driver and they do not have insurance, your Youngstown hit-and-run accident attorney can help you determine your legal options for claiming compensation.

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Recovering Your Damages After a Hit-and-Run

If the driver who hit you is not located by the police, your recovery options may be limited. If you have purchased underinsured/uninsured motorist accident coverage with your auto insurance policy, then you should be able to file a claim with your own insurance company after the accident. This coverage comes into play when an at-fault driver does not have insurance or does not have enough coverage to compensate your losses, or following a hit-and-run accident. 

Insurance companies in Ohio are legally required to offer this coverage option when you purchase a policy, but it is not required. If you do not have this insurance coverage, then you would need to file a personal injury case directly against the hit-and-run driver. If the at-fault driver is never found, this severely restricts your legal options, and you may need to personally cover your damages. If they are found, an attorney can help you file a civil claim for damages. 

Successfully proving fault is crucial in any personal injury case. While the state will prosecute a hit-and-run driver for breaking the law, this criminal case does not seek compensation for the victim, only to punish the defendant. You will need the help of an experienced Youngstown hit-and-run accident attorney to build a civil suit against the hit-and-run driver. If you can successfully prove fault, your attorney can help you claim economic and non-economic damages. 

It’s possible to recover compensation for your vehicle repair costs, medical expenses, lost income, and your lost earning capacity if the accident has left you with injuries so severe that your future ability to work and earn income has been permanently diminished. The plaintiff in a personal injury case also has the right to claim pain and suffering compensation, and when a defendant caused an injury by breaking the law, they could be forced to pay punitive damages. 

Hire a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer in Youngstown Now

Time is a crucial factor for any vehicle accident case in Youngstown, and this is especially true for hit-and-run accidents. You have a limited time to pursue accountability, and providing the police with a description of the hit-and-run driver is just the first step in your recovery. If you can successfully establish fault for the accident and the hit-and-run driver is located, your attorney can help you claim compensation for the damages you suffered.

The Gervelis Law Firm has years of proven experience getting real results for injured clients in a wide range of difficult accident cases. It costs you nothing upfront to hire our firm; under our contingency fee policy, we only charge a fee if we succeed in securing compensation for your losses. 

You’re likely to have many complex legal questions after your accident, and we can provide the answers and support you need in this challenging situation. If you or a loved one is struggling in the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Youngstown hit-and-run accident lawyer and learn how we can help with your case.