What To Do If You Have Been In A Hit-and-Run
What To Do If You Have Been In A Hit-and-Run
According to the AAA, an average 682,000 hit-and-run crashes have occurred in the United States every year since 2006. About 65 percent of hit-and-run fatalities were bicyclists or pedestrians. Since 2009 there has been a 7.2 percent increase in hit-and-run fatalities.
In Oregon, state law requires that a driver who thinks that he or she has struck something while operating a vehicle to investigate it and then report it. If you do not realize at the time of the accident that what happened, but later realize you may have hit someone or something, you should call 911 and report it. Failure to properly perform these duties could result in felony charges.
Washington law requires that if you collide with something or someone, you report it right away. Even if you hit a vehicle that is parked or unattended, you must immediately stop and locate the operator or owner and notify them of the accident and provide them with your name and contact details. If you cannot locate the operator or owner, you must leave a note with the details. If you fail to follow through, you can face criminal charges.
If you have been the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you should call the police and have an accident report completed. The officer will review the damages and the accident scene, then try to track down the driver who left the scene of the accident.
Damages From A Hit-and-Run
If you have been in a hit-and-run accident and suffered injuries and damages, you can recover your losses through a personal injury claim. Even if the hit-and-run driver has not been apprehended or identified, an accident injury lawyer can help you maneuver the claims process. Damages that are suffered in a hit-and-run accident include past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and property damages.
You should maintain thorough documentation and evidence to support your claim, including medical records, medical bills, repair estimates, proof of missed work and lost wages, and a copy of the accident report. If you have been in a hit-and-run accident in the Portland-Vancouver metro area, you should get a free case review from the Harlan Law Firm.