The complications of any motor vehicle accident are greatly compounded when an involved driver leaves the scene of the accident.
It is illegal in all fifty states to flee the scene of an accident if there is injury to either a person or to property.
Despite these laws, hit and run accidents of both minor and more serious natures are all too common.
One of the most benign types of a hit and run involves when a driver causes damage to another car in a parking lot.
But more serious hit and run accidents involve serious crashes or even hitting pedestrians or bicyclists, resulting in wrongful death.
There are five key steps you should take if you are ever involved in an accident where the other driver flees the scene: • Even if you are able, do not follow the other driver.
Remain at the scene of the accident and call the police.
Chasing a driver could cause further injury to yourself-?it could also disqualify you from making a claim under your own insurance in the case you have to use the underinsured/uninsured driver section of your policy.
• Try to remember as many details about the hit and run driver's vehicle as you can.
Make, model, color can all be helpful in determining the culprit of the accident, particularly if the driver was intoxicated.
Drunk drivers are often repeat offenders and their vehicles may be on law enforcement watch lists.
• Rely on the aid of witnesses.
You may be in shock too much to know what happened, but good witnesses can help identify the situation and the at-fault driver.
If other drivers stop to check on you, ask them to stay at the scene of the accident until the police arrive and can record their account of the accident and their personal information.
• Purchase under/uninsured motorist coverage from your insurance.
Sadly, many at-fault drivers in hit and run accidents may never be identified, especially if there were no other witnesses.
Underinsured motorist coverage on your own insurance policy can still cover your injuries if the at-fault driver is not identified.
This coverage is a minimal cost for the protection it gives you and should always be a part of your insurance coverage.
• Talk with your attorney.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help you determine your best course of action- if it is pursuing the at-fault driver or trying to file a claim with your own insurance.
Hit and run accidents can be devastating for families, particularly in wrongful death situations.
Not only have you lost a loved one, but you are unsure of who is responsible.
In situations of death, a criminal investigation should be undertaken.
If there is enough information about the other vehicle, the police may be able to issue search warrants in order to search a vehicle for damage or even DNA that would identify the at-fault driver.
In cases such as these, you should immediately retain an attorney who is knowledgeable in hit and run accidents, wrongful death, and criminal law.
It is illegal in all fifty states to flee the scene of an accident if there is injury to either a person or to property.
Despite these laws, hit and run accidents of both minor and more serious natures are all too common.
One of the most benign types of a hit and run involves when a driver causes damage to another car in a parking lot.
But more serious hit and run accidents involve serious crashes or even hitting pedestrians or bicyclists, resulting in wrongful death.
There are five key steps you should take if you are ever involved in an accident where the other driver flees the scene: • Even if you are able, do not follow the other driver.
Remain at the scene of the accident and call the police.
Chasing a driver could cause further injury to yourself-?it could also disqualify you from making a claim under your own insurance in the case you have to use the underinsured/uninsured driver section of your policy.
• Try to remember as many details about the hit and run driver's vehicle as you can.
Make, model, color can all be helpful in determining the culprit of the accident, particularly if the driver was intoxicated.
Drunk drivers are often repeat offenders and their vehicles may be on law enforcement watch lists.
• Rely on the aid of witnesses.
You may be in shock too much to know what happened, but good witnesses can help identify the situation and the at-fault driver.
If other drivers stop to check on you, ask them to stay at the scene of the accident until the police arrive and can record their account of the accident and their personal information.
• Purchase under/uninsured motorist coverage from your insurance.
Sadly, many at-fault drivers in hit and run accidents may never be identified, especially if there were no other witnesses.
Underinsured motorist coverage on your own insurance policy can still cover your injuries if the at-fault driver is not identified.
This coverage is a minimal cost for the protection it gives you and should always be a part of your insurance coverage.
• Talk with your attorney.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help you determine your best course of action- if it is pursuing the at-fault driver or trying to file a claim with your own insurance.
Hit and run accidents can be devastating for families, particularly in wrongful death situations.
Not only have you lost a loved one, but you are unsure of who is responsible.
In situations of death, a criminal investigation should be undertaken.
If there is enough information about the other vehicle, the police may be able to issue search warrants in order to search a vehicle for damage or even DNA that would identify the at-fault driver.
In cases such as these, you should immediately retain an attorney who is knowledgeable in hit and run accidents, wrongful death, and criminal law.