When vehicle collisions occur, all parties involved in the crash are legally required to remain at the scene until they have talked to law enforcement officers. Unfortunately, some drivers collide with vehicles, objects, or even people, and then intentionally flee the scene without providing their personal details or insurance information. The motorist will have committed a hit-and-run accident, which is a criminal and civil offense. They do this so they can avoid paying for the damages. But it leaves you stranded trying to figure out what to do.
Why do motorists flee from the scene?
Knowing why motorists flee the scene of the crash is crucial in understanding hit-and-run accidents. Since every vehicle collision case is different, the reasons for fleeing the scene are different. Some drivers might be wanting to avoid a lawsuit. Others panic and flee. Sometimes the driver is already committing a different crime. If you have been injured in a vehicle crash, you should call law enforcement officers and file a police report even if the other motorist has escaped the crash scene. If the police track down the negligent driver, you can still be compensated for your losses.
Where can I get compensation?
If you have been involved in a vehicle crash and the other motorist fled the scene, you may receive reimbursement from the reckless driver’s automobile insurer if police locate him or her. Alternatively, you can file for compensation against the driver individually by obtaining a civil judgment against the motorist. If the motorist is criminally charged, the judge may order him to pay medical bills, vehicle repair expenses, lost income, and more as part of his criminal sentence. Finally,you can seek compensation from your own insurer. It’s important to seek these out or you might have to pay the damages yourself.
What compensation can I receive?
Economic damages include monetary losses you incurred such as treatment costs, vehicle damage, and loss of income. Non-economic damages entail intangible losses that you suffered after the vehicle crash. These are difficult to prove since the losses suffered vary from person to person. They include emotional distress, loss of consortium, and diminished quality of life. To get compensation for these losses, your attorney will need to produce evidence like mental health reports, your testimony, and proof of medication. Punitive damages aim to punish the reckless party for their carelessness. The judge may award punitive damage in catastrophic cases where the motorist acted in an extremely negligent manner. Courts may award punitive damages in cases like drunk driving crashes, and intentionally colliding with someone or an object.
Conclusion
If you are a victim of a vehicle crash, you may receive compensation from the reckless driver’s automobile insurer if police locate them, or you can file for compensation against the driver individually by obtaining a civil judgment against the motorist. You can seek compensation from your own insurer. You may get financial recovery for economic damages, non-economic damages, or punitive damages. It’s in your best interest to reach out to a trusted legal team in your area to get a solution to your problem.