If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, then you already realize how stressful such a situation can be. The Department of Motor Vehicles describes a hit and run accident as “any accident in which a driver intentionally leaves the scene without providing contact information.”
Some examples of a hit and run accident are when your unattended parked car is hit and the person leaves no contact information. Or perhaps you as a pedestrian are hit and the individual drives away from the scene without offering any help or calling an ambulance. A hit and run can also be when your vehicle is hit while you are driving (or at a stop) and the person leaves the scene.
There are any number of reasons why a person may flee the scene of an accident:
- They are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- They are driving without a license
- They have a warrant out for their arrest
- They have no insurance
- They were texting and driving
- They were scared and made a bad decision
Whatever the reason, the law clearly states that leaving the scene of an accident (especially one that you caused) is unacceptable.
Hit and Run: Post-Accident Steps
As the victim of a hit and run accident, you should be aware of several important steps that should be taken immediately following the accident.
- Call police immediately.
- Gather as much information as possible. (Can you get a description of the car or driver? Were there witnesses? If so, what did they see?)
- Call your insurance company immediately.
- Take pictures.
- Don’t move anything until after police arrive.
- Stay as calm as possible.
It is shocking when a person flees the scene of an accident, but according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, hit and run accidents are on the rise every year.
If you have been a victim of this especially devastating type of accident, contact an experienced Tennessee car accident attorney at Gilreath & Associates for expert legal guidance on how to get through this difficult and tricky situation.
For more details regarding hit and run accidents and how to handle them, continue reading this article in our Legal Library.