In a myriad of unfortunate road mishaps, one commonly heard of is a hit-and-run. When an individual hears this statement, they would instantly assume that a vehicle collided with a pedestrian, another vehicle, or an object and immediately zoomed off to avoid liabilities and responsibilities for the damage. Although this is true, there is more to what constitutes the crime than just hitting something or someone and then fleeing the scene.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, hit-and-runs have caused the deaths of about 20% of the total number of pedestrians in the USA alone. In this regard, we’ll thoroughly discuss what hit-and-run collisions are in cases of lawsuits and other legalities.
Table of Contents
What happens in a hit-and-run
Technically speaking, the definition of what a hit-and-run actually is varies from one area to another. However, as a general basis for the incident, hit-and-run is described as an accident where a car hits an object, another car, or a person and despite the driver’s awareness of the incident, they decided to flee from the scene without taking responsibility or providing their contact details and personal information at least.
Some cities provide an exception for property or vehicular accidents, provided that no individual got hurt. It’s accepted if the driver chose to leave the scene after they filed a police report and informed the aggravated party of their details, it wouldn’t be considered a hit-and-run.
If you’re in the driver’s seat
There are instances where a hit-and-run accident is not your fault. Someone may run a red light, or an animal got loose and decided to chase a squirrel in front of your car. Just as long as you’re following traffic rules and regulations, you’re not the one who’s going to be charged. However, this does not permit you to leave the accident scene immediately. If possible, wait for the police to come and let them investigate the situation. If you’re wrongly accused of the incident or acquired physical injuries as a result of a hit-and-run in Houston, you can seek assistance from reputable lawyers such as https://flemingattorneys.com/houston-car-accident-lawyer/hit-and-run-car-accidents/ to settle the dispute in a fair and civil manner.
Hitting an animal
Of course, it is not only property, persons, or vehicles that are involved in cases of hit-and-run. In a report, millions of animals are killed every day because of irresponsible pet owners and negligent drivers. Although drivers aren’t generally at fault for killing a pet, all drivers should try to safely avoid any animal that they may see crossing the road. Always choose the right commercial truck insurance for you.
Steps to take after an accident
To avoid panic and distraught, here are some tips you can follow if you’re involved in a hit-and-run incident:
- Do not flee the scene and wait for the police to investigate.
- If you’re in a car with other passengers, check if they are okay.
- If someone is injured, call 911 immediately. Failure to do so can result in the death of the other party and can potentially lead to harsher charges such as vehicular manslaughter.
- Look for any witnesses to the incident. Ask for their name, address, and contact details.
- Take photographs of the scene and damage to your car for your insurance claims and police report.
- File a police report and do the same for your insurance claims.
Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be a hassle to deal with. However, as long as you obey traffic rules and follow police procedures, you should be ableto deal with the issue successfully in court. And remember, if you do hit another car or damage property while driving, always leave your details (name, contact number, address and license plate number) on a note for the owner to see.
