As a car accident attorney Dekalb County GA residents look to can attest, hit and run accidents account for a fraction of all motor vehicle accidents. A driver who caused injury to another by careless, reckless or drunk driving has already violated the law. In leaving the scene of the car accident, they have now become criminally negligent. Even if the police are unable to identify the negligent driver, you may still be able to recover compensation. A common misconception of motorists is that hit and run accidents only occur to careless drivers. In fact, not only are hit and run accidents just as common as multiple-car accidents, they are just as fatal. Many factors can contribute to a hit and run accident and this does not exclude the “perfect” safe driver. Because of the rising frequency of hit and runs, manufacturer vehicle issues, and distracted drivers, countless attorneys are readily available to assist you with determining your rights. You should make sure that you contact the police in the event of a hit and run because this information will prove pertinent as your claim, if any, progresses.
As drivers, we owe a duty to one another on the road to make sure that we operate under and obey the driving laws set forth to ensure our collective safety. By doing our parts individually, we attempt to navigate the roads in a way that reduces the number of accidents. In the event you accidently strike and parked vehicle or rear end another driver, it is your duty as a driver to pass along your information to allow your vehicle insurance to serve its purpose.
If you have been involved in an auto accident and the other driver has left the scene of the crash, you need to act quickly. Immediately make note of the description of the other vehicle, including color, type, and make and model (if possible) and its driver. Take down as many details as you can about the crash- location, time, and in what direction the other vehicle drove away. Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses, their specifics of the accident, and what type of vehicle description they provide. Contact the police immediately and file a police report. Take photos of the crash scene and the damage to your vehicle or property. Contact any businesses or homes in the area that may have video surveillance of what occurred and the vehicle that fled. All of this will assist the police in locating the hit and run driver.
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