What Happens If The Other Driver Took Off?

You hear about it on the news, but it has actually happened to you. A hit and run crash are devastating. Not only because you were in a wreck but because someone didn’t have the decency to stop.

If the other driver takes off on you, then you should call for help. Contact your local police department and an auto accident lawyer. You’ll need help with the investigation and fighting for compensation. Don’t let one driver ruin the entire process for you, here’s what you should expect.

The Unhappy Truth About Hit and Runs

Hit and runs happen far more often than people like to believe. It’s one of the reasons why the state of California requires that drivers carry uninsured motorist coverage. While it’s not much, it can certainly help.

So many car accidents happen, and the hit and run crash numbers are unsettling. But many people don’t stop because they don’t have insurance anyway. Essentially, as upsetting it is that they didn’t stop, it may not have changed the situation. When someone is uninsured, you have limited options for financial recovery.

The same happens when you are in a crash with someone, and they don’t stop, you have a few options available. Ideally, they’ll find the driver. Then you can file a lawsuit against them. However, you might run into even more trouble then. If this person can’t afford insurance, then they probably can’t afford to pay you compensation.

Will They Find the Driver?

It’s possible. The high number of businesses that keep video surveillance is making it more manageable for police. If you have anything such as a license plate number, it can drastically change the course of your case. You will need to give the police whatever information you have on hand.

If there was substantial damage from the crash, it’s more likely that they’ll find the vehicle. It is much easier to identify a vehicle that is missing the front end or has a massive dent in the side.

Finding the driver largely depends on the recognition of the vehicle and identification of the driver. To identify the vehicle and driver, you’ll need your statement, video evidence, if possible, and witness statements are always helpful. The more information that the police have, the better that they can search. In many cases, they will employ Crime Stoppers for support as well.

What If They Had a Good Reason to Flee?

Is there a good reason to flee the scene of a wreck? Not really. However, there are times when people contact the police to inform them that they’ve fled. Usually, the reasoning is that they were heading to the hospital or in an emergency situation.

Typically the only vehicles that have any sort of “permission” to flee are emergency vehicles. Imagine if someone is dying and needs to get to a hospital right away. On their way, they hit a vehicle parked on the side of the road and take off the side-mirror. Would you expect that ambulance to stop and give the details? No. So they’ll contact local police to respond.

Hit and Runs on Private Property

Hit and runs happen very often in parking lots and such. While these usually don’t include injuries, the extent of property damage can be severe. For hit and runs on private property, you’ll need to also alert the property owner. In the case that someone backed into your car and then took off, you should alert the store.

They may be able to help, but they may also have obligations to report to their insurance. For the people involved in these crashes, it can be a huge relief. However, there’s no guarantee that you’re going to get compensation, only that you have the support and possibly an avenue for your damage.

Getting Support from a Texas Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents happen, but hits and runs generally aren’t that common. The major difference between normal crashes and a hit and run is you have this additional level of complexity. You may need to take extra care to work with investigators to find this person. Then if you find them, you may have to provide information for the criminal investigation while also managing your insurance claim.

Start your claim outright by contacting Brent Coon and Associates, your local Texas car accident lawyers. Our team has extensive experience handling hit and run cases and people fleeing the scene. We know that every claim is unique and will handle your claim with the care and dedication it deserves.