No one expects to be in a hit and run accident yet it happens every day. If you are hit by a driver in a car accident and that driver leaves, then you should contact a personal injury attorney right away. If you hit another car or hit a pedestrian you may panic and drive away. Today we want to address one of the things that you should make sure to never do if involved in a hit and run accident.
Hit and run accidents happen more often than you likely realize
Would you be surprised to learn that in Los Angeles alone, there is a hit and run accident an average of every 18 minutes? This is according to data collected by a local news source. Does this mean that it is okay to leave the scene of an accident? Not unless you are seeking immediate medical attention. However, with so many hit and run accidents it does mean that there are steps in place to handle these situations.
Read this story for an idea about what to do after hitting a pedestrian
A recent story involves a drunk driver who hit a pedestrian. Instead of stopping to see if the pedestrian was okay and getting emergency help, the driver kept driving. This is bad enough, but the body was actually lodged in the driver’s windshield and that driver continued driving for over a mile before finally pulling over, only to walk away from the scene. Now she faces charges not only of vehicular manslaughter but of felony hit and run. Her bail was set at over $1.5 million.
What the woman should have done when she hit a pedestrian
The law is clear that any time you hit someone with a vehicle you must stop as soon as you can safely do so. The woman should then have called for emergency medical help, reported the accident to local law enforcement, and gotten information from any witnesses on the scene. She should then have contacted her insurance company and likely a criminal defense attorney. If the victim still died then the woman likely would have faced criminal charges for being under the influence but they are likely to have been less serious than those for hit and run.
Have you been injured by a driver who left the scene?
If you have been injured by a driver who left the scene then you need to speak to a personal injury attorney. At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas we can assess your situation and find you the best possible option. Too often, a driver assumes that because the other car left, they have no options left. This may not be the case. If you were not at fault then you may be owed compensation. The good news is that you can find out without making a commitment. Just call us at 909-982-0707 for your free legal consultation.
