When wondering what to do after a hit and run accident, you should pull to the side of the road, call 911 to request help from police and medical care, and then act to gather as much evidence as possible to build your case and claim.
In a hit-and-run accident, what you do after the accident plays a significant role in the outcome of your case and claim, including your ability to recover damages against the other party or your own. Speak with a Las Vegas hit and run accident lawyer today.
What Steps to Take After a Hit and Run Accident
When drivers on America’s roadways are involved in an accident, there are specific steps all parties should take. The steps after a hit and run accident include getting the available information, contacting your own insurance company, and contacting the police to arrive at the scene. These steps help create a sense of balance in what is certainly a disorienting time.
However, what happens when a driver breaks that balance and flees the scene of an accident? When you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you are likely going to want to know your rights to legal action in order to recover compensation for damages incurred.
While contacting an experienced personal injury attorney should be at the top of your list, it is also advisable to take some time to understand a general overview of how Nevada law conceptualizes hit-and-run cases. Following these steps after a hit-and-run accident:
Call 911 and Report What Happened First
As soon as you can, call 911 and begin communicating with the police about what you see and experience. As they are on the way to you, they may spot the driver. Provide any information you can, including a description of the vehicle and driver. Report the details of what you are experiencing to the police.
Gather Any Information You Can
Your safety should always be the top priority, but there are often a few extra seconds to take photos or a video of the other driver. As soon as you can do so, take photos of the scene and any debris left in the roadway. If you can, use your phone to capture a video of the surrounding area showing the layout.
Ask Witnesses for Their Information
The small details that a witness may have can be valuable to your claim. It is always wise to speak to witnesses who stop to request that they provide a statement or their name and contact information to the police. They may be able to help you piece together details that lead to the other person’s identity.
Get Medical Care Immediately
As soon as you can do so, often right after the accident, go to the hospital for a full examination. Tell the doctor what happened so they can provide the most effective type of treatment for your needs. You want to make sure even the unknown injuries are found.
Contact a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer
You will have options for pursuing compensation if the other driver is found, as police will likely identify them. If not, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance policy, depending on the coverage you have. A hit-and-run accident lawyer can help protect your rights throughout the claims process.
Penalties for Hit and Run Offenses in Nevada
In Nevada (NRS Chapter 484E), the penalties for a hit-and-run offense are differentiated based on the overall damage caused. If only property damage resulted from the crash, the defendant can be charged with a misdemeanor, which carries a sentence of up to 6 months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines.
In the event that personal injury or death results from the hit and run, the offender faces more severe penalties. This type of offense is considered a category B felony in Nevada, which carries a sentence of between two and 20 years in Nevada State Prison, plus between $2,000 and $5,000 in fines, as well as the revocation of the offender’s license.
This is in addition to any requirements to pay compensation for damages incurred by the injured, as determined by the civil courts. Even if the other driver faces criminal charges, you still have the legal right to pursue civil claims. Our hit and run accident lawyer can help you to do that. A Las Vegas wrongful death lawyer from our firm can assist with your claim.
When the Offender Cannot be Located
The unfortunate reality is that there will be cases in which the person who committed the hit-and-run cannot be located. For this reason, it is always a good idea to consider obtaining uninsured motorist insurance.
Many drivers in Nevada maintain uninsured and underinsured coverage, and in those cases, we can help you file a claim. In addition, equipping your vehicle with a dashboard camera, or “dashcam,” can help you gather the necessary identifying information to assist the authorities in finding the hit-and-run driver.
We may also be able to seek claims against other parties that may be partially at fault for your losses. Speak to our hit and run accident lawyer before you give up. On this topic, it is important to note that in the event that the case is reported as a claim for uninsured motorist protection, the insurance provider will look to determine if you were in any way negligent in the events leading up to the accident.
As Nevada is a comparative negligence state when determining fault in auto accidents, it is imperative that you are mindful of the area’s traffic laws at all times.
When to Contact a Professional
Getting into an accident is stressful enough. When the other party flees the scene, it can be a traumatizing and disorienting experience. This is why working with trusted legal counsel is so important.
For years, the attorneys at H&P Law have been helping hit-and-run victims in and around Las Vegas fight for their rights to compensation. Contact H&P Law today to discuss your case.
