Being involved in a car accident can be traumatic. But when the other driver who caused the crash flees the scene, the experience can leave you feeling overwhelmed and devastated. A hit and run collision occurs when one person takes off without rendering aid or providing any pertinent information to the other people involved.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, hit and run violations are criminal offenses that “can create additional burdens for law enforcement and for families looking for remediation and medical and insurance support.”
Despite the circumstances of your accident, an Akron hit and run accident lawyer can help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 for a free case evaluation.
What You Should Do After a Hit and Run Accident
You know how important it is for both drivers to exchange insurance and contact information after a car accident occurs. But this is impossible when the driver who caused the accident leaves the scene. Following a hit and run collision, the best thing you can do is first call for medical attention if someone is hurt. Then, stay on the scene and wait for law enforcement to arrive.
You will want to file a police report. What is contained in the police report will be critical when you file a claim with your insurance company. Try to get as much information as you can about the other driver and his or her vehicle so that police might be able to track them down later. Perhaps you or an eyewitness was able to gather the following information:
- The other driver’s license plate number (or part of it).
- The other vehicle’s model, make, or color
- Where the other vehicle was headed (direction)
- Any damage to the other vehicle
- Pictures or video of the damage to your property and/or the accident scene
It is also important to give police on the scene the exact location, time, and date that the accident occurred. This will all be written up in the official police report and is something your Akron hit and run accident lawyer will need as part of your claim.
For a free legal consultation with a hit and run accidents lawyer serving Akron, call (844) 730-0233
A Hit and Run Is a Criminal Act
According to Ohio Revised Code § 4549.02, fleeing the scene of a motor vehicle accident is a criminal offense, and the punishment depends on the circumstances of the crash. According to Ohio law, a failure to stop after an accident is a first-degree misdemeanor. But if the crash resulted in “serious physical harm to a person,” that crime is upgraded to a fifth-degree felony.
If the driver knew the collision “resulted in serious physical harm to a person,” and they drove off or left the scene, it is a fourth-degree felony. If the accident resulted in the death of a person, that is bumped up to a third-degree felony. And if the fleeing driver knew the accident ended in a person’s death, that driver faces a second-degree felony.
Now you are facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering following the hit and run accident. So, what can you do to recover your damages when the driver simply takes off, maybe never to be found?
Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, to discuss the details of your case with a member of our team today.
Akron Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
How to Recover Damages
Since the at-fault driver in your accident took off without giving you any information, you will most likely need to use your uninsured motorist coverage if that is part of your policy. Do not wait to call your insurance company. Some policies adhere to stringent deadlines when it comes to notifying the company that you plan to file an uninsured motorist claim. So, the sooner you notify your insurer after a hit and run accident, the better.
In addition, as with any insurance claim, there will be an investigation into the accident, a release of your medical records, and witness testimony will be taken. One critical note to mention: If a fair settlement cannot be reached with your insurance company, you will not be able to file a lawsuit against your insurer.
This is where having an Akron hit and run accident lawyer on your side can help protect your legal rights. Your attorney can build a strong case to support your claim and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to recover compensation that covers the full extent of your damages.
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Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Today
If you suffered injuries or a loved one died because of a hit and run accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, funeral and burial costs, and more.
Do not delay in taking legal action even though the driver responsible for the accident fled the scene. You can file a claim against your insurance company. You can recover financially for as much as you have suffered.
Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233 to speak to a member of our team. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means you will pay nothing up front or out-of-pocket unless and until we reach a fair settlement on your behalf.
We do not shy away from tough cases. If the other driver caused your accident and then left the scene, you still deserve justice. Call us today for a free and confidential consultation.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
