Hit & Run: What To Do
When a traffic collision occurs, your life can be thrown into uncertainty. The moment of the crash can be chaotic and terrifying, and the moments afterward may be even scarier as you assess the damage to your person, your property, and your passengers. What could make the whole experience worse is the other vehicle involved, possibly the vehicle responsible for the collision, driving away without giving you any chance to exchange information.
If this has happened to you, you may have been the victim of a hit-and-run. The question is, what do you do next in this situation?
At Murphy, Falcon & Murphy, our auto accident lawyers have been helping Maryland residents for over seven decades to file and receive the restitution that they deserve. We’ve seen our fair share of hit-and-run accidents, so let us share our expertise with you so that you have the best chance of getting your reimbursement.
What Is A Hit-And-Run In Maryland?
In Maryland, a hit-and-run accident is a crime that occurs when a driver collides with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a stationary object and leaves the scene without performing their due diligence. There are many reasons that a driver might leave the scene of the accident — for instance, they might not have insurance; might not want to speak with police because they have an outstanding warrant, are driving a stolen vehicle, or are driving under the influence; or they may have simply panicked and driven off without thinking.
All of these are examples of hit-and-run accidents, but regardless of the specifics performing a hit-and-run is a crime. When you are involved in a traffic collision — even if you’re the victim — you are required by law to stay at the scene of any vehicle accident that results in injury, death, or a damaged vehicle that cannot be moved. The only caveat is that if you require immediate medical attention; if so, you may leave the scene without repercussions.
Immediately After The Accident
The first step that you’ll want to take is to call 911 if you haven’t already and give as many details as you can about the incident. Make sure that you and any passengers are safe and perform any first aid that might be necessary. From there, if you can, try to gather information about the offending vehicle before it gets too far away — hit-and-run drivers may not leave the scene immediately as they gather themselves and try to figure out what happened.
Take notes of their vehicle’s color, make and model, and try to remember the driver’s appearance. If you can, write down the license plate number and take note of any damage that the other vehicle might have sustained. When it drives away, note the direction that it went. If this is all too much information to take in in a short amount of time, try to take a picture of the offending vehicle.
All of this information could be useful to track down the perpetrator. Not everybody who commits a hit-and-run will be apprehended, but the more information that you can get, the more likely that they’ll be found. Police will keep an eye out for damaged vehicles matching the description you give, so the more information that you can provide, the better chance that you have at receiving justice.
Look around for bystanders to the accident, they may have taken pictures as well and could be important witnesses. Share contact information with them so that you can pool your resources. Gather evidence of what happened by taking pictures of your vehicle from multiple angles, as well as outside markers like skid marks or pieces of the vehicles that may have fallen off in the crash.
When the authorities arrive, re-share the information that you’ve gathered. If you or another party has been injured, an ambulance may arrive to transport you to an emergency room. Even if you don’t go to an emergency room, seeing a doctor shortly after an accident can potentially reveal less-obvious injuries.
Make sure to document any health changes that you experience after the accident like chronic pain. Save copies of medical bills, and take note of time lost from work. These are to create a basis and provide evidence that your life has been altered by this accident, which can assist in receiving compensation. Report everything to your insurance company.
The state of Maryland has a three-year statute of limitations on hit-and-run incidents, but don’t wait to take action. Reach out to an auto accident lawyer as quickly as possible so that you can get help with filing a claim once the at-fault driver is caught, or with the steps to take should they not be found.
What Not To Do
There are some mistakes that victims of hit-and-runs can make immediately following the accident which can harm their chances of getting justice. Posting about your accident on social media can muddy the waters. Don’t admit fault or sign anything that isn’t required by the police. Don’t attempt to leave the scene to chase the other driver, either, as they could potentially be dangerous. Let the police handle it.
Repairing your car immediately is another easy mistake to make. You may need to drive your car, but a rental will suffice in the short term. It’s better to get a professional estimate of the damage caused but not spend the money right away to repair it.
Why Work With Murphy, Falcon & Murphy?
Our auto accident lawyers are here to dedicate themselves to your cause and make sure that justice is done. We have a record of success for cases like yours and have helped countless Maryland residents through the often complicated legal process. Read testimonials from previous clients that we’ve had, who we’ve shared our compassion and expertise with over the years.
Though we can’t undo the pain and hardship that a traffic collision can generate, we can lessen the impact that it has on your livelihood and let you start the healing process. We will fight for you to receive every piece of recompense that you’re entitled to.
Here at Murphy, Falcon & Murphy, we’re experienced injury lawyers and we can give you a free case evaluation. We know Maryland’s laws and will help you through every step of the process. Reach out to us now and start down the road to restitution.