Understanding Hit-and-Run Accidents in Illinois
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 6,296,000 traffic crashes were reported to police. Out of those, 737,100 were estimated to have been hit-and-run accidents, or nearly 12 percent of all accidents. Hit-and-run accidents can leave you devastated and confused. Unforeseen medical bills and unplanned vehicle repairs can become costly very quickly. If you have been a victim of a hit-and-run car accident, your actions after the accident can be determinant of whether or not you receive the compensation you deserve.
What Constitutes a Hit-and-Run Accident?
If a person is involved in a car accident, they are required by law to stop and give information to others involved in that car accident. If they fail to do so, they can be guilty of a hit-and-run accident. If they cannot return to the scene of the crime, or nobody is around to collect their information, they must report the accident to the nearest police department and provide their information at that time. If a report is not made within 30 minutes of the accident, they may be guilty of a hit-and-run.
Steps to Take After the Accident
Being in any car accident can leave you shaken up, but the actions you take directly after the accident can mean the difference between compensation and no compensation.
- Gather as much information as possible about the car that hit you. Take down the car’s license plate number, the make and model of the car, the color of the car and a description of the person who was driving.
- Look around for anyone who may have witnessed the accident. If you can find witnesses, ask them what they saw and if they happened to see any details of the other vehicle or the driver of that vehicle. Ask for those people’s names and contact information, so your insurance company may contact them if needed.
- Gather information from the accident site itself. Take photos of the location and your car in relation to the location. Take photos of any damage that occurred to your vehicle and any visible injuries you may have sustained. You should also make a note of the time, location, and any contributing factors to the accident, such as weather conditions.
Have You Been Injured in a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Being a victim of a hit-and-run accident can be extremely stressful because gaining rightful compensation can be difficult - but it is not impossible. With help from a skilled Aurora car accident attorney, you can fight to receive a favorable settlement. Contact Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. to review your case and discuss your legal rights and the actions you should take. To set up a consultation, call the office at 630-907-0909.
Sources:
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812348
https://aaafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/18-0058_Hit-and-Run-Brief_FINALv2.pdf
https://www.dmv.org/tips-for-handling-a-hit-and-run-driver-claim.php
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=062500050HCh%2E+11+Art%2E+IV&ActID=1815&ChapterID=49&SeqStart=116100000&SeqEnd=117725000
