October 25, 2020
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Although traffic accidents in the U.S. have been on the decline, hit-and-runs have sharply increased over recent years, jumping up nearly 14 percent since 2011, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
While this statistic about hit-and-runs may be disturbing enough by itself, what may be more alarming are the facts that:
- The motorists responsible for causing hit-and-runs are often drunk.
- Pedestrians are frequently the victims of hit-and-runs (with many of these being fatal accidents).
- Hit-and-runs are illegal in every state, with the penalties for committing these traffic offenses being increasingly intensified over recent years (due to findings that drivers are committing hit-and-runs so much more frequently).
Given the growing incidence of hit-and-run accidents in the U.S., in this blog series, we will point out some important tips to keep in mind if you are ever hit by another motorist who flees the scene. The tips herein can help you in your pursuit of justice and compensation after being the victim of a hit-and-run.
If, however, you are currently need of the best personal injury representation in Southern Illinois, don’t hesitate to contact the experienced and trusted Mount Vernon car accident and personal injury lawyers at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.
After Hit-and-Runs: Here’s What You Should Do…
1 – Collect as much of the identifying information of the driver and/or his vehicle that you can.
Getting hit by another motorist who then takes off can be disorienting and distressing, but try to stay focused and take in as much identifying information of the vehicle and/or motorist as you can. Some things to look for, try to remember and write down can include (but may not be limited to):
- The color, make and model of the vehicle
- The license plate number
- The driver’s gender, approximate age, etc.
If you happen to have passengers riding with you when hit-and-runs occur, get your passengers to report/write down as much of the above info as they can.
2 – Get names and contact info from any witnesses to the hit-and-run.
If there were any witnesses to the hit-and-run, then make sure to record their names and contact information, as this can be crucial later. These witnesses may have seen details that you didn’t. Additionally, witnesses may end up remembering certain details later that can be helpful in trying to identify and locate the driver that caused the accident.
With this tip, it can be helpful to use smartphones or other devices to record the witness info in an email that you then send to yourself. This can be a fairly foolproof way of ensuring you don’t lose this crucial info.
For more tips on what to do after hit-and-runs, be sure to check out the additional parts of this blog series. They will be published soon. In the meantime, share your thoughts and comments about hit-and-run accidents with us on social media.
Mount Vernon Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.
Were you hit by a motorist who fled the scene? Or have you been hurt in any type of traffic accident? If so, it’s time to contact the experienced and trusted Mount Vernon car accident lawyers at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.
To learn more about your best legal options and how we can help you, contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the page. We can provide you with a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.
