Understanding Hit-and-Run Accidents

 Posted on April 23, 2018 in Car Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were an estimated 6,296,000 car accidents reported to police in 2015. An estimated 737,100 of those were hit-and-run accidents. In Illinois alone, 313,316 crashes were recorded in 2015. Hit-and-run accidents can be stressful and take an emotionally toll on the victim. Hit-and-run accidents can also be expensive - unexpected medical bills and vehicle reparations can put a dent in your finances. Understanding what a hit-and-run accident is, common causes of them and what you should do after an accident will be pertinent to getting the compensation you deserve.

What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident?

A hit-and-run accident is when a person flees the scene of the crash before giving any information to the other person involved in the accident or if they fail to report the crash. According to Illinois state law, all accidents involving death or personal injury must be reported to police within 30 minutes of the incident, or you will face criminal charges.

Common Causes of Hit-and-Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents are stressful and traumatic, but it’s worth noting what are some common causes of hit-and-run accidents.

• A driver who committed the hit-and-run is uninsured;
• A driver is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs;
• A driver doesn’t have a valid driver’s license; and
• A driver has a warrant out for their arrest.

Even though you may be feeling frustrated, it’s important that you remember to stay calm so you can collect as much information as possible in order to reconcile the accident.

What Do I Do After a Hit-And-Run?

There are a few steps that you should take after you get into a hit-and-run accident. These steps can help you get the most out of this bad situation and take legal action against the person who hit you.

• Get as much information as you can about the car that hit you, such as the make, model, and license plate number.
• Look for witnesses to the accident that could vouch for what happened. Ask for their names and their phone number.
• Record a bit more information to document the accident, such as the time and location of the accident and photos of the scene of the crash and damage to your vehicle.
• If you’re injured in the accident, keep a record of your medical bills, hospital records, doctor’s visits and any other medical files and evidence to prove the extent of your injuries.

Contact a DuPage County Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you deserve the help of a skilled and knowledgeable DuPage County personal injury lawyer. You don’t have to go through this process alone. The Law Offices of David W. Clark, P.C. will help guide you through the steps you need to take to receive the compensation you deserve. Call 630-665-5678 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812348

https://aaafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/18-0058_Hit-and-Run-Brief_FINALv2.pdf

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-401

https://www.dmv.org/tips-for-handling-a-hit-and-run-driver-claim.php