When you get into a car accident, it’s customary to pull over somewhere safe and exchange insurance information. Some drivers don’t do this though. For whatever reason, they may choose to drive off instead. There are some steps that you can take to protect yourself and build a case even as someone flees the scene though. A Snohomish County car accident lawyer from our firm can tell you more.

What Can I Do If a Driver Flees?

This can be a stressful situation, but it’s important to be prepared to take down as much information as you can about the negligent driver as he or she flees the scene. You should:

  • Write down anything that you can remember about the car, like its make, model, or color
  • Get as much of the license plate as you can
  • Prepare a description of the driver, if you saw them
  • Call the police to the accident scene
  • Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle
  • Talk to any witnesses who may have seen the crash
  • Look for nearby cameras that may have caught useful footage
  • Get medical care as soon as possible

There is no guarantee that these actions will help you catch a driver who flees the scene, but they can help you build a case or make it possible to make an insurance claim.

Can I Still Recover Compensation After a Driver Flees?

You can still go through your own insurance coverage if a driver flees the scene of a crash. If you have collision coverage, you can pay for repairs to your vehicle. If you have medical expenses, personal injury protection coverage can help. Then there’s uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which can also be used to recover compensation after a hit-and-run.

The only problem with this is that you may not have these types of coverage. PIP and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage must be offered to you, but some drivers stick with just basic liability coverage. Collision coverage is purely optional. If you have a barebones policy, you’ll have to hope that the fleeing driver is caught so that you can sue them and their insurer.

What Happens If the Driver is Caught and Convicted of a Crime?

One thing that can help your case is if the driver who flees is eventually caught and tried in criminal court. You can still sue them for damages in civil court no matter the outcome of their criminal trial. It can be helpful if they are convicted though, because that can actually be used to back up your accusations of negligence in a civil case.

Contact Our Attorneys Today

So if you were involved in a hit-and-run accident, don’t abandon hope of recovering compensation just yet. Contact Amy C Brown Law, PLLC to schedule a consultation and learn more about your legal options. We’re ready to help you hold a negligent driver accountable.