Dealing with the frustration of a car accident can be difficult, especially if you suffered injuries in the crash. These situations are only made worse when the other driver involved in the accident leaves the scene before police arrive, making it difficult to identify them and hold them accountable if they were at fault.
You have legal options following hit and run car accidents in Cranberry Township. Our skilled car accident injury attorneys could help you recoup the damages you deserve. Contact us today to learn more.
Drivers are legally required to stop and remain at the scene of any accident involving property damage, injury, or death. Leaving the scene without providing information or offering aid can result in serious criminal charges. However, in Cranberry Township, there are limited exceptions for motorists who return to the scene of the accident after notifying law enforcement.
There are also exceptions when an accident involves property damage to an unattended vehicle. However, the unfortunate reality in many hit and run cases is that some drivers leave the scene of an accident to avoid the consequences of causing the crash.
Hit and run motor vehicle collisions in Cranberry Township can occur for many reasons, but they usually involve a driver attempting to avoid the consequences of causing the collision. Some of those reasons include the following:
Some drivers flee the scene because they fear arrest. This may be because they are impaired or because a warrant is already out for their arrest. Other drivers may be concerned about immigration consequences.
In some cases, the shock and surprise that come with a car accident can cause otherwise reasonable people to panic. Some are so afraid of the consequences that they leave the scene, while others are in a state of shock and simply keep driving.
Drivers with inadequate insurance coverage may flee the scene to avoid the financial consequences of being held liable. If they know they cannot afford to pay for the damage or injuries they caused, they may risk criminal charges in the hope of avoiding a civil judgment against them.
Ultimately, your legal options following a Cranberry Township hit and run car crash depend on whether you learn the identity of the other driver. As frustrating as these situations can be, many people are ultimately able to track down the vehicle that struck them. Obtaining the license plate number can help with this, and sometimes police do catch fleeing drivers shortly after a crash.
If you learn the identity of the other motorist, you can pursue your case as normal through a personal injury suit. You can also submit a claim to the other party’s liability insurer for your damages.
You are not out of options in cases where the fleeing driver remains unidentified, but your options largely depend on your insurance coverage. If you have uninsured motorist coverage or other types of comprehensive policies, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurer for your losses.
Hit and run car accidents in Cranberry Township can be devastating, but our attorneys are here to help. The good news is that you may still be eligible for compensation even when the other driver’s identity is unknown. With the right legal team, you may be able to recover your damages related to the crash. Call today to learn more.