Why Are There More Hit-And-Run Crashes And What Should You Do As A Victim?
In a recent article that he wrote for USA Today, Larry Copeland reported that the number of hit-and-run crashes had increased by 175 between 2009 and 2011. What's mainly surprising about this surge is that it took place while the number of car accident victims was moving downward, since there were 1516 fewer deaths on the road in 2011 than in 2009. This article sheds light on what's behind the increase of hit-and-run crashes, and explains what you should do if you're victim of such a traffic event.
Most perpetrators prefer to flee the site rather than facing the sanctions associated with their actions
What is important to note is that the data given above are the most recent pertaining to hit-and-run accidents. And as you might know, between 2009 and 2011, the economic recession was hitting the U.S. hard and prompted a large number of drivers to lag on their insurance payments. Some of them even decided to drop their insurance to save a few bucks each month. When such individuals were involved in car accidents, they quickly fled the scene by fearing of being assessed hefty DUI sanctions due to their negligence.
According to a report that was posted on the Insurance Information Institute's website, about one driver out of 8 doesn't carry auto insurance in the United States. Since this statistic is on the rise, it means that the risk of becoming a victim has also increased.
How to act if you experience a hit-and-run?
There are basic things to perform in this type of situation, such as:
- Requesting legal representation from someone who is well versed with car accidents and personal injuries like a trial attorney
- Contacting local law enforcement agents so they may produce a full police report
- Undergoing a series of medical exams to make sure that your health hasn't been endangered
- Taking note of everything including the names, insurance numbers, and other information of the people who experienced or witnessed the event
- Filing a claim with your insurer if the wrongdoer leaves the scene without sharing their information
If you're dealing with a hit-and-run situation, it's best to hire a trial attorney (such as Irene M Rodriguez PA) since this professional will ensure that the dispute between you and your insurer is settled quickly. In this type of situation, you won't be summoned for a trial because the other party would be nowhere to be found. This also means that your auto insurer will be required to cover for your losses.