What are the Chances of getting away with hit and run car accident?
Hit-and-run accidents are serious crimes that can have devastating consequences for both the victim and the perpetrator. However, many people still choose to flee the scene of an accident, either out of fear or to avoid legal repercussions.
According to current statistics, a hit-and-run car accident occurs every 45 seconds in the USA daily. From other sources, at least every 10-25% of car accident cases reported in the USA have a hit-and-run dispute.
In case you still need data-backed information, at least 5-10% of hit-and-run auto accidents are investigated and at-fault drivers are brought to book. This implies that more than 90% cases of the reported hit-and-run cases remain unsolved in the USA.
But what are the chances of getting away with a hit-and-run? This article will explore the legal and practical considerations that can increase or decrease the chances of a hit-and-run perpetrator being caught and punished.
From the importance of leaving a note to the use of surveillance cameras and eyewitness accounts, we will examine the various factors that can influence the outcome of a hit-and-run case.
Whether you are a victim seeking justice or an offender looking to avoid prosecution, it is important to understand the chances of getting away with a hit-and-run in order to make informed decisions.
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What is a hit-and-run?
Hit and run is a type of car accident in which one driver flees the scene without reporting the accident to the authorities, helping out the injured person, or exchanging personal information with the other accident victims.
According to the foundation for traffic safety, in the year 2015 alone, the USA experienced more than 737,100 hit-and-run accidents. From a report published by Flock Safety, many hit-and-run accidents lack concrete evidence hence less than 10% of all hit-and-runs are solved.
It’s also important to note that hit-and-run is a criminal offense and leaving the scene without stopping, and providing your information to the other party can result in severe penalties, so it’s always best to stay at the scene and wait for the authorities.
What do you need to do after a hit-and-run?
According to esurance, the probability of getting hit by a car is 366 for every 1000 miles. But the good news is that not every car accident results in personal injuries or property damages.
Just like guidelines for any car crash, there are some steps you need to observe and follow once you are involved in a hit-and-run. If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, it is important to take the following steps:
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1. Stop your vehicle and check for injuries: If you or anyone else involved in the accident is injured, call 911 immediately for medical assistance. To sum it up, your safety takes the highest priority, whereas others like calling the police or insurance could be done later.
2. Report the accident: Contact the police and report the hit-and-run accident as soon as possible. Provide them with your name, contact information, and a description of the other vehicle and its driver, if possible. make sure you are not caught up by your state’s statutory limitations.
For example, you must report a hit-and-run accident within less than 10 days in California. If you are unable, ask your insurance company to report on your behalf.
Though you have up to 2 years to report a hit and run in Texas, failure to report the accident in 24 hours means lost ability to file a claim for your damages. You could lose evidence and witnesses if you chose to delay reporting the car accident.
3. Gather evidence: If possible, take pictures of the accident scene, including any damage to your vehicle and the other vehicle, and the license plate number of the other vehicle.
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Experience has shown that most hit-and-run victims are too shocked to gather the required pieces of evidence. You can always ask another person or bystander to help you or install the required dash cams.
3. Get witness information: If there are any witnesses to the accident, get their names and contact information. Ask the witnesses if any noted down the license plate numbers.
4. Document the accident: Keep a record of any medical treatment you receive, as well as any expenses or lost wages related to the accident. what you receive in compensation will largely depend on your injuries and medical treatment bills.
5. Contact your insurance company: Notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible. They will advise you on the next steps to take. Also, many insurance companies have deadlines by which you should report the hit and run or any other auto accident.
6. Follow-up with the police: Keep in touch with the police to find out the status of their investigation and if they need any further information from you. Actually, many hit-and-runs go uninvestigated so I advise you to always make a follow-up.
What Are The Many factors that go into hit-and-runs?
Despite many strict laws criminalizing leaving the scene of the accident, still many drivers chose to commit a hit-and-run for fear of being charged.
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According to current reports in the USA, at least 80-90% of hit-and-run offenders are driving under the influence (DUI), or driving with the influence (DWI) cases.
Other factors that contribute to hit-and-run accidents include:
- Most of the Hit-and-run offenders I know feared legal consequences, such as arrest or fines
- Lack of valid driver’s license or no insurance
- Some drivers experience panic or confusion after the incident
- Some drivers believe that the damage or injuries sustained are minor and not worth stopping for
- Other drivers have Preconceptions or prejudices towards the person hit.
Why is it difficult solving a hit-and-run?
We all know there is shock due to adrenalin rash that is involved in any car accident including hit and runs. I have already explained that only 10% of the hit-and-runs are solved. This is largely because in any hit-and-run accident, getting the required evidence is hard.
For example, in 2017, LAPD reported that only 8% of their hit-and-run accident cases were solved.
Here is another example. Rachel Jones was involved in a hit-and-run when his car was hit on the side. “My car’s front passenger side fender was crashed by a driver of a large pickup truck, who entered my lane without warning, ignored my honking, and caused me to lose control of my vehicle”, says Rachel Jones.
“The outcome was my car being pushed across the median and into oncoming traffic on the interstate making me suffer serious bodily injuries”, continued Rachel Jones.
Rachel Jones continued to tell me that “The individual operating the pickup truck that was responsible for the collision did not remain at the scene. According to the highway patrol, the only details known about the vehicle were its color and manufacturer.”
Rachel Jones was unhappy because those present at the accident scene did not catch a glimpse of the license plate as their attention was focused on the vehicle entering the opposite lane of traffic.
“While In the hospital treating accident injuries, the officers informed me that it is highly unlikely that the driver will ever be located”, concluded Rachel Jones.
As you can see guys, as narrated by Rachel Jones, the likelihood of catching the hit-and-run offender is very slim, Implying that the chances of getting away with hit and run car accident is high.
I recently read a report where it stated that at least 61% of the hit and run involves pedestrians and other people walking on foot.
How to obtain real evidence to solve a hit-and-run?
The most important real evidence you need to solve a hit-and-run is the car’s license plate number, car color, and model. The only drawback of dash cams is that they are unable to read the license plate especially if the hit-and-run driver did not stop.
Only automated license plate readers could help solve the mysteries surrounding hit-and-run incidents. Apart from using the above-explained techniques, other several steps can be taken to obtain real evidence to solve a hit-and-run:
1. You need to gather witness statements: If there were any witnesses to the accident, it is important to get their contact information and statements about what they saw.
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2. Look for surveillance footage: Check if any cameras in the vicinity of the car crash may have captured the accident on video. This can include traffic cameras, security cameras, or cameras from nearby businesses.
3. Tactfully inspect the crash scene: Take photographs of the accident scene and any damage to the vehicles involved. You will need to look for any debris or other physical evidence left behind by the hit-and-run vehicle.
4. Next check for vehicle parts: Look for any parts of the hit-and-run vehicle that may have been left behind at the scene, such as a mirror or a piece of a headlight.
5. Next notify the police: Report the hit-and-run to the police as soon as possible and provide them with any evidence you have collected.
6. Then check with local repair shops and junkyards: Sometimes hit and run drivers may go there for repair or to get rid of the vehicle, so checking with local repair shops and junkyards is a good idea.
7. Finally use social media: Put a message on social media to see if anyone has seen the vehicle or has any information about it.
Most common punishments for hit-and-run car accidents
In the USA and other countries, hit and run is an offense and is punishable by law. You are required to stay at the accident scene, report the accident to the police, exchange information with other parties, and where necessary offer assistance to injured victims.
Charges for a hit and run vary from state to state or differ by different countries. The charges and penalties range from a misdemeanor to a felony where you could be asked to pay penalties and face jail time depending on where you come from.
According to Adams a traffic officer in New Jersey, “hit-and-run accidents are considered serious crimes and can result in severe penalties”, including:
1. Jail time: Depending on the severity of the accident and the jurisdiction, a hit-and-run driver may face a prison sentence. For instance, you could face jail time of up to 6 months in California and penalties of up to $1000 for a misdemeanor.
2. Fines: Hit-and-run drivers may be required to pay fines, which can be substantial depending on the case. For example, a class 5 felony in Virginia could earn you a fine of up to $2,500.
3. License suspension or revocation: A hit-and-run conviction can result in the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license for up to 3-5 years depending on where you come from.
4. Restitution: You may be required to pay restitution to the victims of the accident to cover the costs of medical treatment and other expenses related to the accident.
5. Probation: A judge may sentence you to probation where the individual must meet certain conditions and report to a probation officer.
6. Insurance premium increase: The accident may result in an increase in the insurance premium. According to ValuePenguin, your insurance rate could rise by more than 40% due to a hit-and-run car accident offense.
7. Points on a driving record: Hit-and-run convictions can also result in points being added to your driver’s record, which can lead to higher insurance rates and other penalties.
Hit And Run – Do’s And Don’ts
If you have been following this article up to this far, you probably already know what to do and what not after a hit and run.
For instance, never leave the accident scene not until police showed up and compiled a police car accident report. You should also help with the accident causalities and exchange personal information with all the parties to the accident.
I also advise you not to accept fault right at the scene, don’t chase the hit-and-run driver, don’t post anything related to the accident on social media, and don’t delay seeking medical attention.
How to Get Out of a Hit and Run Charge?
The mechanism by which you can get out of a hit-and-run charge depends on the circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the case, and the laws of the land in your area of Jurisdiction.
The following are my recommended things you need to try/do to get out of a hit-and-run charge.
1. Prove that you did not cause the accident, or that you were not the driver of the car.
2. Prove that you actually do not know you hit something. If you prove you did not realize you hit another car or person, the jury or judge could lessen your charges.
3. Try to prove you did not intend to flee the accident scene. For instance, you had a woman in labor or you were rushing a patient to the hospital.
4. Pleading guilty. If your offense is serious, pleading guilty could win you lesser charges.
5. Hire a defense lawyer. Lawyers know better how to defend criminals. The defense attorney has the experience and expertise to negotiate with the judge on your behalf.
Conclusion.
To conclude, Hit-and-run car accidents are serious crimes that can result in severe legal consequences. However, it is possible for you to get out of a hit-and-run charge depending on the specific circumstances of the case.
Some ways you can get out of a hit-and-run charge include proving that you were not the driver of the vehicle at the time of the accident, showing that you didn’t know you hit something, proving that you didn’t have the intent to flee, and negotiating a plea bargain with the prosecutor.
Hiring a criminal defense lawyer can also increase your chances of getting out of a hit-and-run charge. It is important to note that each case is unique, and the best way to know how to defend yourself is to consult with a criminal defense attorney familiar with the laws of your state and jurisdiction.
