Hit and Run Accidents: Who is Responsible and What to Do

There is nothing more confusing, scary, or angering than being on the receiving end of a hit and run accident. And unfortunately, hit and runs are on the rise across the United States. According to a recent study conducted by financial advising company, ValuePenguin, the number of fatal hit-and-runs rose from 1,342 in 2010 to 1,939 in 2019, with fatality numbers also increasing 44% in that same time period.

While these numbers are staggering, you can give yourself the best chance of winning a hit and run legal case and protect yourself and your loved ones by being prepared for the worst. Review Ruiz Law’s guide to what to do after a hit and run accident below. 

What To Do After A Hit And Run Accident

If you are involved in a hit and run accident (whether in your car or on foot), there are certain steps you should take to maximize your safety and your chances of seeking compensation. Familiarize yourself with the action steps before for what to do after a hit and run.

1. Call 911
2. Try To Record As Much Information As Possible
3. Seek Medical Attention
4. Seek Legal Advice from a Lawyer
5. Contact Insurance Company

Call 911

As with any accident, you will want to contact the authorities as soon as you are in a safe and secure area after the collision. This is especially important in the case of a hit and run, so a police report can be created and filed as soon as possible. 

Try To Record As Much Information As Possible

Being involved in an accident, especially a hit and run, can be frightening and shocking. But, it’s very important to try to remember and capture as much information as possible immediately after the event. Having the other person flee the scene will leave little time to remember things and it’s best to try and write down notes, take pictures, and record as much information that can be remembered as possible.  

Below are some key things to try and remember if possible in the immediate aftermath of a hit and run accident:

• Make, model and color of the car – Try to make a mental note of the visual of the car that hit you. What color was the car? What make and model? Jot these notes down or put them in your phone as soon as you can so you don’t forget. 
• License plate – This can be difficult, especially since the other driver may flee the scene quickly and without warning, but try to catch the license plate and make a note of the letters and numbers if possible. Even remembering part of the license plate – two or three characters – can help.
• What the driver looked like – If possible, try to get a visual of the other driver. Are they male or female? What color is their hair? Any other distinguishing features? Any visual notes you make could potentially help the authorities identify who is responsible for the accident.
• Details of how the crash occurred – Jot down any notes around how the crash occurred and what you remember. Taking pictures can also be extremely helpful here. As a general rule of thumb, the more information you can gather at the scene of the accident, the better. 
• Get information of any potential witnesses – Especially in the case of a hit and run, where you may feel overwhelmed or be in shock, enlisting the help of witnesses can provide some key details, and potentially aid in identifying the other vehicle involved. 

Seek Medical Attention

The same as with any accident, you should seek medical attention from the authorities. Injuries are very common in the case of hit and runs. Even if you feel fine or don’t notice any obvious injuries, you should get checked out. Many injuries from car accidents don’t present themselves until hours or days after the accident, and adrenaline can also mask any potential pain immediately after the event. When in doubt, get checked out. 

Seek Legal Advice From A Lawyer

If you are on the receiving end of a hit and run accident, you should absolutely seek legal advice to pursue action. Seek out a lawyer that specializes in car accidents, and ideally one that doesn’t charge you up front for services. At Ruiz Law, we only believe you should pay for your case if we win it. 

Contact Insurance Company

After you’ve sought legal counsel, then it’s time to contact your insurance company. In the case of a hit and run accident, there won’t be an opposing party’s insurance company to work with, so you’ll only have to deal with their own insurance companies. However, you’ll want to avoid doing this before talking to a lawyer, since insurance companies tend to try to avoid paying out. 

Nevada Hit and Run Laws

Hit and run laws do vary from state to state, so in order to maximize your chances of success in pursuing legal action, you should familiarize yourself with local hit and run laws. So the question of “how much compensation do you get for a hit and run” will also vary from state to state. 

For hit-and-run accidents in the state of Nevada that result in injury or death, “fleeing the scene of an accident becomes a category B felony with penalties of 2-20 years in prison and $2,000-$5,000 in fines,” according to state legal experts. 

Check out the full legal breakdown for Crashes and Reports of Crashes in the state of Nevada here. 

Contact Ruiz Law To Help You With Your Hit and Run Case Today!

If you have been involved in a hit and run, you should absolutely seek the help of a legal professional for incurred damages. The team at Ruiz Law are seasoned experts in the field of car accidents, and they can help you seek damages and compensation for the accident. With Ruiz Law, you don’t pay anything unless we win your case, so set up free consultation for your case today so see what we can do for you.