Posted on February 25, 2018
How do you hold a hit and run driver accountable for their actions? Is it even possible, considering many of these drivers attempt to flee a scene on purpose? The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that 11% of all car accidents reported to police actually involve a hit and run driver, which shows us how prominent these accidents really are. These cases are especially frustrating because hit and run drivers are breaking the law on a criminal level and you may have issues when you are trying to compensate for your losses. One of the best ways to hold a hit and run driver accountable for their actions is to track down the driver. Today we will discuss all of your options.
What is Expected of Drivers
Drivers are expected to help each other out on the roads when the situation calls for it. This means that, in every state, when a driver strikes a person or vehicle, they are required to stop his or her vehicle and investigate the scene of the accident. In many accident cases, this could be as simple as exchanging information and driving off, because no injuries were present. In other cases, serious injuries lead to medical treatment and a police report, which is why both drivers must be present. If a driver decides to drive off, this could lead to hit and run charges and put you in a desperate position.
Hit and run drivers face both criminal and civil penalties in many cases. On a criminal level, a hit and run driver could face incarceration, hefty fines, suspensions, and driver’s license revocation in serious cases. If the accident resulted in severe injuries or death, a driver could be facing felony charges with years in prison. With minimal damage, a hit and run driver could be lucky to walk away with a misdemeanor charge. These drivers may also face civil liability, which could include compensatory damages and consequential damages, including lost wages, loss of consortium, and so much more. In some cases, they may even face punitive damages, which are meant to punish a driver for their reckless behavior.
Tracking Down a Driver
To hold a hit and run driver accountable for their actions, you will have to work diligently with the police to track down the driver. There are many different options for compensation, such as no-fault or personal injury protection under your own insurance. In a traditional liability state, you may even be able to use uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to help you compensate. However, tracking down the driver will hold them accountable and work toward the recovery you deserve.
This means that you will want to attempt to remember every detail present at the scene. Write down all details about the driver who hit you, such as the make and model of their vehicle, license plate number, and description of the driver if you were able to see them. You want to speak to any witnesses who may have seen things that you didn’t see. Perhaps your accident took place in an area where there were many people walking around or driving. Photographs and witnesses can go a long way when it comes to tracking down a driver.
It is good to have options when you have been involved in a hit and run accident. At the Accident Law Group, we can help you compensate when you have been involved in a serious hit and run accident and seem to be out of options. Call us today for more information on how to move forward at 602-262-4254.
Sources
http://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/auto-accident/injured-by-hit-run-driver-legal-options.html
