Hit and Run accidents often result in serious, if not fatal, injuries. While police departments use significant resources to identify the negligent party, these types of accidents can be extremely difficult to prove and can be devastating.
What is a Hit and Run?
A “hit and run” accident occurs when a driver hits another person or vehicle, and then leaves the scene. Arkansas law requires drivers involved in accidents to stop at the collision scene. Drivers who “hit and run” violate this law. A driver who fails to report an injury-causing accident may also violate hit-and-run laws in Arkansas or other states.
Hit-and-run drivers also cause more problems for those they injure. Without knowing the driver’s identity, an injured person cannot file a claim with that driver’s insurance or hold the driver accountable in court. Instead, an injured person must rely on their insurance coverage for collisions with uninsured motorists. During these delays, the injured person may fall behind on medical care, compounding the problems they face after the crash. Families of victims who are killed in hit-and-run crashes may continue to suffer as bills mount and their questions remain unanswered.
Hit and Run Accident Statistics
The rate of hit-and-run accidents and deaths in these crashes have increased in recent years, according to a AAA study. A hit-and-run accident occurs in the United States every 43 seconds on average.
Anyone can be injured in a hit-and-run crash. However, pedestrians face a higher risk of serious injuries or death. In 2021, 23 percent of pedestrians who died in a crash were hit by hit-and-run drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
NHTSA data reveals that hit-and-run crashes, especially fatal ones, are more likely in the dark, early in the morning, and on weekends. These crashes can occur at any time, however, and they can cause serious injuries and death whenever they occur.
What to Do If You’re Injured in a Hit and Run Accident
If you or someone you love is injured in a hit-and-run accident, these steps can help you protect yourself and others.
Safety first. Protect yourself and others at the accident scene. If possible, move vehicles and people out of the way of traffic – but avoid moving anyone who is seriously injured. If you cannot move out of traffic, use vehicle lights, flashlights, and brightly colored objects to warn drivers on the road.
Call 911. Contact emergency services for help. First responders can provide medical care and transport any severely injured people to hospitals for life-saving care. Police can collect information at the scene and begin an investigation to locate a hit-and-run driver.
Preserve information. If possible, write down what you remember in the moments leading up to and during the crash. If you recall any details about the driver who hit you and fled, write these down. Take photos or draw diagrams to aid your memory. Finally, gather contact information from witnesses. If you cannot take these steps at the scene, speak to the police department for a copy of the police report, or work with an experienced hit-and-run accident lawyer who can get this information. Keep all your information in a safe place.
Get medical attention. Get medical care as soon as possible after the crash. Some accident injuries are hidden under the shock of the initial incident. When you see a doctor, you can have your injuries documented and start a treatment plan promptly. Keep your follow-up appointments and any other appointments your doctor schedules with specialists.
File an insurance claim. When you contact your insurance company, stick to the facts. Tell them what happened, where, and who was involved. Don’t give any opinion on who was at fault. Instead, wait until all the facts are available.
Speak to an experienced attorney. You may never be able to bring a claim against the driver who hit you, but that doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from a lawyer’s help. An attorney can help you navigate your insurance company’s demands after a hit-and-run accident. Your lawyer can keep you informed about attempts to find the driver. Your attorney can negotiate with insurance for full and fair coverage of your needs so that you can rest and focus on healing.
Any car accident is terrifying. Serious injuries or the sudden loss of a loved one change your life. Adding a hit-and-run to the mix makes things even more difficult. An experienced attorney can help.