Car accidents are often chaotic events. Many people make poor decisions, either intentionally or unintentionally, as a result of adrenaline and fear. In some cases, a person may decide to leave the scene of the accident to prevent charges or simply out of confusion or clouded thinking.
Whatever the reason, leaving the scene of an accident is against the law in the state of North Carolina under North Carolina General Statutes (GS) §20-166. While the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident are often severe, victims who never locate the person who fled the scene of the accident still have injuries and losses. Learn how a Charlotte hit and run accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 can help you understand your options after a hit and run accident.
North Carolina Hit and Run Accident Laws
The following are some of the North Carolina laws related to hit and run accidents.
Failure to Stop or Remain at the Scene
This law means that you must stop at the scene of an accident and remain at the scene of the accident until law enforcement allows you to leave. The only exception is if a person must leave to either call law enforcement or seek immediate attention for medical issues. However, even in those cases, a person must return to the scene of the accident unless otherwise approved by law enforcement.
Failure to Give Information at the Scene of an Accident
Persons involved in an accident in the state of North Carolina must provide their name, address, license plate number, and driver’s license number either to a law enforcement officer or to the owner of the other vehicle.
Failure to Notify the Authorities of an Accident
Every driver involved in a reportable accident must notify law enforcement of the accident. A reportable accident is any accident that results in a person’s injury or death, property damage of at least $1,000, or property damage to a vehicle in an impaired driving case.
In some cases, hit and run accidents can result in both misdemeanor and felony charges, depending on the severity of the accident, property damage, and injuries.
If you are the victim of a hit and run accident, you should contact the police even if the other driver leaves the scene of the accident. If you suffered injuries or losses resulting from a hit and run accident, consider calling our legal team to learn how a Charlotte hit and run accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you understand all of your options.
For a free legal consultation with a hit and run lawyer serving Charlotte, call (844) 730-0233
Attempt to Gather as Much Evidence as Possible
Although a hit and run accident can leave a victim overwhelmed and anxious, the best possible course of action is to attempt to gather as much evidence as possible following the accident. Some of the ways to gather evidence regarding the hit and run accident include attempting to answer the following questions:
- What did the other car look like? Was it a 2-door or 4-door? Did the car have any bumper stickers? Did the car have any other unusual markings? Did you notice what the driver of the vehicle looked like?
- What were the exact details of the accident?
Other ways to preserve your memory following the accident include to:
- Write down all of your injuries and the medical treatment you received or continue to receive.
- Write down all of your property damage and any other losses, including any vehicle repairs or replacement of your vehicle.
- Keep a journal of all of your pain and suffering or any loss of enjoyment of life, including any activities you are no longer able to engage in or perform.
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Uninsured/Underinsured Coverage
You may feel concerned regarding how you will receive compensation from your injuries and losses related to your hit and run accident. In North Carolina, 6.5% of drivers are uninsured, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).
The good news is that in the state of North Carolina, victims of a hit and run accident may have the ability to file a claim with their own insurance company under the uninsured/underinsured portion of the policy.
All drivers in the state of North Carolina must have uninsured motorist coverage under their insurance policy. The state requirements for minimum liability coverage in North Carolina includes the following coverage limits:
- $30,000 for bodily injury liability for each person per accident
- $60,000 of bodily injury liability total per accident
- $25,000 of property damage liability per accident
Therefore, if you have automobile insurance coverage, you will have at least this much coverage in your policy. If you suffer injuries or losses resulting from a hit and run accident in the state of North Carolina, a lawyer can communicate with your insurance company to understand the levels of coverage under your specific policy.
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Negotiating with Your Insurance Company
While you may have uninsured motorist coverage under your automobile policy, you will still have to negotiate with your insurance company for a fair and just settlement that covers your injuries and losses related to your hit and run accident.
Insurance companies often use unscrupulous and manipulative tactics in order to offer low settlement amounts to victims in the hopes that they will take these low settlement offers, and they can then close their case. Learn how a hit-and-run accident lawyer can negotiate with an insurance company on your behalf in order to receive a fair and just settlement.
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Learn How a Charlotte Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you suffered any injuries or losses after a hit and run accident, you likely have many questions regarding your legal rights and how you might have the ability to receive compensation from your own insurance company following an accident.
Consider calling our legal team for a free consultation to learn how a hit and run accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 can help you understand all of your legal rights after a hit and run accident.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form