Most of us know what to do when we get into a car accident. Pull over somewhere safe, exchange info with the other driver, and wait for the police. What happens if you have a driver who fled the scene though? How can you hold someone accountable if they ran away? Our Monmouth County car accident attorneys will do their best to help you with that.
Is it Possible to Find a Driver Who Fled the Scene of an Accident?
If you want to sue the driver who fled the accident scene, you are going to have to find them first. Fortunately, it is sometimes possible to find the person who hit you. If you are ever in an accident and someone flees, you can do these things and make it easier to find them:
Get as much information about the car as you can: The license plate number is obviously great to have, but if you cannot get a whole number off of a fleeing vehicle that is understandable. So having other info about the car, like its color, where it was damaged, and what model or brand it is can be helpful to the police.
Try to remember details about the driver: If you can get a look at the driver, remember everything that you can about them. This can give the police something to go on.
Talk to eyewitnesses: If someone else witnessed your accident, they may have seen something that you did not. Ask around about the driver who fled the scene.
Visit local businesses: If your accident took place near a business, they might have cameras that caught the collision on tape. This can help a lot.
What Happens if the Driver Who Fled Has No Insurance or Cannot Be Found?
Unfortunately, sometimes the driver who fled the scene just cannot be found. If this happens, you have to go through your own insurance to pay for repairs to your vehicle or treatment for your injuries. Your PIP coverage can be used for this, as can your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
In some cases, the driver is found but they do not have insurance. This is probably the reason why they fled the scene in the first place. In cases like this, you can sue them personally. Just know that it can be difficult to get a large settlement out of someone who does not seem to have the funds to cover their own insurance coverage.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?
If you do sue the driver who fled the scene, your lawyer can help in some key ways. They can:
- Gather evidence
- Talk to witnesses
- Calculate fair compensation
- Communicate on your behalf
- Defend you from accusations of fault or negligence
Learn more about what one of our experienced personal injury attorneys can do for you.
Talk to Our Legal Team
When you are ready to pursue legal action, contact the Wilton Law Firm. We can schedule a free consultation and tell you more about your options. There is nothing to lose, but you could gain some valuable information about your case.
