Being in an accident ruins your day under normal circumstances, but when it’s a hit and run, it’s even worse. If you’ve been victim to a hit and run accident, you may wonder what your options are. Can you even pursue a personal injury case? Can justice be achieved? Can you receive damages?
You’ll want to talk to a lawyer in order to receive legal advice pertaining to your situation, but here is some general information about hit and run accidents and various options that may be available to you.
What Is A Hit And Run Accident?
As it sounds, a hit and run accident is when one person accidentally hits another and flees the scene instead of staying as you are supposed to. Running can happen when people give into the flight impulse, when they were already doing something they weren’t supposed to, and for other such reasons.
There are a couple different types of hit and run accidents.
- Misdemeanor. Misdemeanor hit and runs are when someone damages the other person’s property. In circumstances such as hitting a parked car, it’s generally advised to leave a note with your information on the car’s windshield if you cannot locate the owner.
- Felony. Felony hit and runs are when the accident results in injury or death to someone else.
Sometimes, people may not realize that they hit something. In order for a circumstance to be a hit and run accident, it must be proven that the other driver knew they caused property damage and/or physical harm, and fled the scene purposefully, rather than staying to exchange information.
Can You Pursue A Case If The Other Party Ran?
If the person who hit you ran after the accident, you may wonder whether or not you can still pursue a case. This would depend on the circumstances of your case, which only a legal expert would be able to tell you. Even if it was a hit and run, you could share fault with the person who hit you.
In order to pursue a case against the other driver, you will need enough information. Some things you’ll want to take note of include:
- The license plate, even if only partial
- The make, model, and color of the vehicle
- Identifying characteristic of the other driver
- The direction the car fled
- Any damage resulting from the accident
If you don’t have enough information, you’ll have to rely on other means to get compensation. If the other driver is never found, the accident may be treated as an uninsured motorist by your insurance. Some other coverage you may be eligible for if you are victim to a hit and run include health insurance, collision coverage, crime victim reparations, and more.
What Do You Do After A Hit And Run Accident?
The aftermath of being in a hit and run accident is very similar to the aftermath of being in a typical accident. However, rather than being able to exchange information with the other party, you have to try to recall as many identifying details as possible so that the appropriate officials can try to track the person who hit you down.
If you’ve been in an accident, you will want to take the following steps, provided that you are in good enough condition. Depending on the accident, all you may be able to do is wait for medical assistance.
- Do not pursue the other vehicle. You may be tempted to give chase, but high-speed pursuits should only be done by law enforcement officers as required. Focus on getting identifying details instead.
- Call the police. This establishes a record of what happened.
- Take photos. The more photos and other such evidence that you have detailing the conditions around your accident, the better. Photos can be very helpful when proving fault.
- Find witnesses. Witnesses are always good to have in an accident, but this is especially true in the case of a hit and run. Witnesses will be able to tell the police what they saw happen.
- Get medical treatment. You may feel fine after an accident due to the adrenaline pumping through your veins. Over time, though, injuries can reveal themselves. Even if you think you’re fine, seeking medical treatment establishes records that can link any injuries you sustained to the accident.
- Talk to a personal injury attorney. They will be able to tell you whether or not you have a case on your hands and be able to provide you with expert legal advice. If you do have a case, lawyers can utilize the resources available to them to reconstruct the accident, track down possible suspects, and advise you on how to navigate the situation going forward.
Do You Need A Personal Injury Attorney?
If you’ve been victim to a hit and run accident or another type of accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys here at LeBaron & Jensen are here to help. We provide free case consultations and if you do have a case that we agree to take on, we don’t charge you anything until we win your case for you.
To learn more about the representation we can provide or to schedule a case consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’re here to ensure that our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
