A car accident can be frightening under any circumstances, but the situation can become even more stressful when the other driver leaves the scene. Hit-and-run accidents may leave injured individuals wondering who will pay their medical bills, how their vehicle will be repaired, and whether the responsible driver will ever be identified.
Although the driver may have fled, an injured person may still have options for addressing medical expenses, property damage, and other accident-related losses. Taking appropriate steps immediately after the collision may also help preserve important evidence and support a future insurance claim or legal action.
Hit-and-Run Accident: An Overview
A hit-and-run usually happens when a driver involved in a vehicle collision leaves the scene without taking the appropriate legal steps. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve failing to stop, provide identifying information, or assist an injured person. Hit-and-run crashes can involve two vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, or parked vehicles. In some cases, a driver may leave because they are uninsured, do not have a valid driver's license, are afraid of legal consequences, or simply panic after the collision.
Report the Accident to the Police
After a vehicle collision, it may be important to report the accident to the police. When speaking with law enforcement, victims should consider providing as much information as possible about the fleeing vehicle. Helpful details may include, but are not limited to, the following.
- License plate number or partial plate number
- Vehicle make, model, and color
- Direction the vehicle traveled
- Description of the driver
- Visible vehicle damage
- Approximate speed or driving behavior
Even a small detail may help investigators identify the vehicle or driver.
Seek Medical Care
After a hit-and-run accident, injured individuals should consider obtaining appropriate medical evaluation, especially when they experience pain or other symptoms. Some injuries may be immediately apparent, while others may become noticeable later. The following conditions may develop or become apparent in the hours or days following the initial accident.
- Neck and back injuries
- Concussions
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Other conditions.
It is also important to note that medical records can document the injuries reported after the accident, the treatment provided, and recommendations for follow-up care.
Document the Scene of the Accident
If it can be done safely, victims should gather evidence before leaving the scene of the accident. Take photographs or videos of vehicle damage, debris, skid marks, traffic signs, intersections, road conditions, and visible injuries. It may also be beneficial to collect witness information and photograph the accident damage and the scene when possible.
Additionally, victims should write down everything they remember about the fleeing vehicle as soon as possible. Memories can become less precise over time. Witnesses may also be especially important in a hit-and-run case. Individuals should obtain their names and contact information if possible.
Cameras May Be Important
Video evidence can sometimes help identify a hit-and-run vehicle. Nearby businesses, homes, parking facilities, apartment buildings, gas stations, or other properties may have surveillance cameras that recorded the accident or the vehicle leaving the area.
It may be useful to identify potential cameras quickly because footage may not necessarily be stored forever. Law enforcement or an attorney may be able to determine what steps are appropriate for seeking available footage. Dashcam footage from the injured driver or witnesses may also provide useful evidence.
Important Documents and Records
Keeping organized documentation may make it easier to understand the financial effects of the accident. Records may include but are not limited to the following.
- Medical bills
- Medical reports
- Prescription expenses
- Vehicle repair estimates
- Towing and storage bills
- Rental-car expenses
- Photographs
- Insurance correspondence
- Police reports
- Documentation of time missed from work
The type and amount of damages potentially recoverable will depend on the facts of the accident, available insurance coverage, applicable law, and the evidence supporting the claimed losses.
Hit-and-Run: When the Driver is not Found
If law enforcement or other evidence identifies the driver, additional options may become available. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may potentially be made against the responsible driver's applicable insurance coverage. If the driver is uninsured or does not have sufficient coverage, the injured person's own insurance coverage may also become relevant.
Identifying the driver does not automatically establish liability or determine the value of a claim. The circumstances of the collision and available evidence still need to be evaluated.
Seeking Legal Support
After a Hit-and-Run accident, many individuals are unaware of the necessary steps to take to receive compensation for their injuries. Oftentimes, these types of incidents may cause serious or even life-threatening injuries, leaving victims in a state of shock. Seeking the help of a legal professional may help with the additional legal and insurance challenges that may follow a hit-and-run accident.
The Legal Team at KAASS LAW
The qualified personal injury attorneys at KAASS LAW are determined to help victims understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to a hit-and-run accident. Our legal team may be able to review the facts of your specific case, speak to insurance companies on your behalf, and help preserve important pieces of documentation. Call KAASS LAW today to learn more.