Hit and run accidents can be among the most frustrating and frightening experiences for anyone involved. The sudden impact, coupled with the fleeing of the responsible party, can leave victims feeling hopeless and unsure of what steps to take next.
After a hit and run accident, although you may feel alone, you’re not. A Ontario car accident lawyer can review the specifics of your accident and provide advice and direction to get you the justice and compensation you need and deserve.
What Does a Hit and Run Accident Entail?
A hit and run accident occurs when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without providing contact information or assisting those who might be injured. Fleeing the scene of an accident is illegal. In most states, drivers who cause accidents must stop, render aid, and provide contact details. Failure to do so can result in serious legal consequences.
Hit and run incidents can include a vehicle hitting another vehicle, a motorcycle, a bicycle, or a pedestrian. In some cases, a hit and run also involves a driver colliding with someone’s property and driving away.
These types of car accidents can range from simple collisions to major accidents with significant damage or injury. If you’re in a hit and run, report it to the authorities with as much information as you can provide to find the party responsible. Also, your lawyer can greatly assist when you hire legal representation.
Why Do Drivers Flee the Scene of an Accident?
Hit and run accidents are regularly caused by some of the same situations as other types of collisions, including speeding or distraction.
However, drivers have different motivations for leaving the scene of an accident they caused, which commonly include:
- Fear of legal consequences: Drivers may flee to avoid legal repercussions, such as charges for driving under the influence (DUI), driving without a license, or driving without insurance.
- Fear of financial responsibility: Even if drivers are insured, they might still fear the potential increase in their insurance premiums or the financial burden of paying deductibles or out-of-pocket expenses.
- Previous violations: A driver with prior traffic violations or a criminal record might run to avoid further legal trouble or arrest.
- Impairment: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs might panic, leading them to flee.
- Lack of awareness: Some drivers might not realize they’ve caused significant damage or need to stop.
Regardless of the cause of an accident or the reason the driver may have to flee, leaving the scene of a crash is illegal and can result in severe penalties. It also adds to the trauma and difficulty for the victims of the accident.
What to Do Following a Hit and Run Collision
When you experience a hit and run accident, it’s common to feel shaken and unsure of what to do next. Hit and runs are unlike other collisions, where you can speak with other involved parties and get more information. A hit and run accident can leave you feeling particularly alone and overwhelmed.
What you do following a hit and run can have a substantial impact on your claim, compensation, and the possibility of catching the responsible party. The following steps can help guide you and allow you to protect your rights better.
Seek Medical Attention
One of the most important things you can do following any car accident is get medical attention as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of your crash, you may require emergency medical care on the scene.
Even so, you should always follow up with a healthcare provider for additional testing and a clear understanding of your injuries and necessary treatment.
Hit and run collisions can be especially stressful. Because of the stress put on the body, you may not initially realize you’ve sustained any injuries because of certain hormones released during traumatic events.
Although you may believe you haven’t suffered any injuries or your injuries are minor, it’s still best to seek medical help. You may have sustained injuries without even knowing it, and the sooner you know, the better.
Understanding the severity of your injuries is critical for future collision claims and lawsuits. Proper medical documentation and bills can help strengthen your claim, prove the severe nature of your injuries, and get the financial recovery you need.
Report Your Accident to the Authorities
After a hit and run, you can call 911 to get law enforcement assistance. However, even if you didn’t call the police the moment it occurred, you may have a limited number of days to file a police report with the local police department.
Your police report should include plenty of information, including descriptions of the fleeing vehicle and its driver (if known). Police reports are significant in accident cases, especially for insurance claims and potential legal action.
Gather As Much Evidence and Documentation As Possible
Based on the circumstances of your accident, perhaps you had the chance to snap some photos, capture some video footage, and speak to witnesses. Any evidence you collect at the scene of your crash can be useful in the future, so you should keep it all in a safe place.
Additionally, you should maintain a file to gather more evidence and documentation as it becomes available. It can include bills, receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, and correspondence. You can also consider taking photos of your injuries and keeping a journal with information concerning your injuries and treatment.
Notify Your Car Insurance Company
You should still contact your auto insurer even if you did not cause your accident. Many car insurance companies require their policyholders to notify them of collisions involving their insured vehicles within a certain timeframe.
Failing to report your collision to your insurance company can cause some trouble, so it’s best to avoid it and contact them.
When you contact your insurer, you can also review your insurance policy to understand your coverage. Your path toward compensation may depend on the type of coverage you have.
Consult With a Local Car Accident Attorney
Aside from seeking medical treatment for your injuries, pursuing legal assistance should be a top priority. Hit and run incidents can bring about much confusion, but a car accident lawyer can answer your questions and address your concerns.
During your consultation, you can discuss the details of your accident and present any evidence you may have. Based on the information, your lawyer can provide preliminary advice and opinions.
Depending on the situation, they can begin working on your case to find the driver responsible and get you a fair monetary recovery.
Is it Possible to Get Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident?
One of the biggest doubts hit and run accident victims have is whether it’s possible to get compensation. In a regular car accident, you know who’s responsible. Armed with this information, you can file a claim through their insurance or a personal injury lawsuit, depending on the situation.
However, what happens when you don’t know the identity of the person who caused your collision?
Even if you’re involved in a hit and run accident, you may still have the opportunity to pursue compensation for your injuries and related losses. How you obtain financial recovery usually varies based on the circumstances.
You can often file a first-party insurance claim through your auto insurer. If your accident happens in a no-fault state, you must pursue compensation through your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance anyway.
If you have uninsured motorist protection, this insurance can also help in situations involving an unidentified driver. Both PIP and uninsured motorist protection can help get monetary recovery for things like medical expenses and lost income.
Getting coverage for medical treatment is vital. In some cases, you may have the choice to use your health insurance to ensure some coverage for medical expenses. Some states also have Medical Payments coverage (Med Pay) policyholders can add to their auto insurance to help pay medical expenses related to an accident.
If your auto collision is a hit and run, you have options. A car accident lawyer can better understand your situation and explain your rights to help ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Finding the Party Responsible for Your Hit and Run
Finding the party responsible for your accident is a priority when you’re involved in a hit and run. While it’s not always possible, in many cases, with a thorough investigation and due diligence, the at-fault driver is identified and held accountable for their wrongdoing.
Law enforcement agencies can assist with finding the responsible driver. They have resources they can utilize to aid in the investigation. Additionally, when you hire legal counsel, attorneys are often experienced with these rear-end collisions. Personal injury Lawyers also have resources they can tap into to find the liable driver.
Depending on the situation, certain pieces of evidence, including traffic camera footage, surveillance footage, and expert witness statements, can substantially help with finding the hit and run driver.
When you have a car accident lawyer working on your case, you can feel confident that they will work tirelessly to get answers and obtain justice on your behalf.
What Happens if the Responsible Driver is Found?
Police may eventually identify hit and run drivers. When the responsible party is found, they may face several consequences.
Finding the identity of the hit and run driver can impact your situation. You can file an insurance claim through the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If the driver is uninsured, you might have the choice to file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
As for the driver, they likely face legal repercussions, depending on the circumstances and state law. The driver may be criminally charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Often, when a hit and run accident results in severe injury or even death, the crime is charged as a felony, as it is a more severe situation. Penalties for hit and runs include fines, probation, jail time, and license suspension or revocation.
Does a Hit and Run Affect Insurance Premiums?
It’s no secret auto collisions can impact how much you pay for insurance. Therefore, another common concern for hit and run accident victims is how the crash affects their auto insurance premiums.
Drivers responsible for hit and runs almost always see a significant increase in their insurance rates. This is partly because, not only are they at fault for the collision, but they fled, resulting in a criminal situation. Convictions for traffic-related crimes can severely impact how much a driver pays for car insurance.
Hit and Run Accident Attorney
Insurance is often tricky to understand. Unfortunately, your insurance rates can still increase even if you were not at fault for your accident. However, this depends on several factors, including how many claims you’ve made within a certain period of time.
If you’re wondering how your hit and run will impact your premiums, you can discuss it with your insurer or lawyer.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
A hit and run accident can result in challenging times. You may be faced with physical injuries, mental traumas, and financial burdens, among other things. A car accident lawyer can help ease some of your stresses and give you peace of mind as they work to get you justice and fair monetary recovery.
When you hire a car accident attorney, they take on your case. Your lawyer can provide guidance, support, and direction as you pursue compensation and deal with your recovery.
You can rely on your personal injury attorney to handle all tasks for your hit and run case, such as:
- Investigating your accident
- Collecting evidence and documentation
- Working to identify the at-fault driver
- Calculating your damages
- Communicating with the insurance company
- Negotiating for a favorable settlement
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
- Representing you in court
Hiring a car accident lawyer means having a strong ally on your side. Your attorney can help you feel less alone and handle the complexity of your case.
Call an Experienced Hit and Run Accident Attorney Today
Following a hit and run collision, do not hesitate to seek legal help. Schedule a consultation with an Ontario personal injury lawyer right away.