Chicago Hit and Run Investigations: What to Expect?
For those of us that live here in Chicago, hit and run accidents are one the serious issues that affect us in many ways, right? According to recent statistics, Chicago alone experienced around 5,000 hit and run accidents.
For some of you that love data, the number of hit and run crashes had even increased that past year. From statistics, I was able to discover that there were around 37,226 hit and run crashes in Chicago in the year 2021 alone.
Hit and run accidents have serious impacts on the people of Chicago. In the past year, around 515 people were injured in Chicago due to these hit and run events.
According to my research, the impact of hit and runs on some families includes: causing physical, emotional, and financial harm. This is the very reason authorities in Chicago will do everything it takes to prevent such incidents and bring to book the perpetrators.
In this article, I will discuss everything you need to know if you are a victim of the hit and run auto accident.
I will also try to explain everything you need to know if you are the guy accused of committing a hit-and-run. For instance, how is a hit-and-run investigated in Chicago, and Illinois at large? ready? let’s dive in!
Page Contents
Definition and Legal Implications
In Chicago and Illinois at large, a hit-and-run accident occurs when one of the drivers flees the scene.
He/she must stop at the scene of an accident, and exchange personal information with the other drivers. The driver must also wait at the scene and provide the required information to the police that responded to the event.
Recommended reading: Is fleeing the scene of an accident a felony?
Finally, some accidents involve injuries or deaths. In Chicago and Illinois at large, you must stop at the scene and provide/render aid to the injured.
Leaving the scene of an accident in Chicago without sharing personal and insurance information is a class A hit-and-run misdemeanor and the punishments are fines, jail time, and suspension of your driving rights.
In Illinois, the penalties as we shall see range from small fines and short jail time to hefty fines and long periods in prison.
Reporting a Hit and Run
The laws that guide hit and run vary by state. Below are the steps I recommend to follow if you witnessed a hit and run, or if you are a victim of the same incident.
I bet these steps will also be valuable if you are the driver that left the scene of an accident.
If you witness or are involved in a hit and run accident in Chicago, it is important to take the following steps:
1. Ensure Safety. Just as in other auto accidents, your safety remains the top priority. Ensure that all the people involved in the accident are safe too. Move to a nearby point if you deem staying at the scene dangerous.
2. Call 911: You must report the accident to the authorities in order to help the injured get the needed medical services. Provide the operator at the police stations with as much accurate information as possible.
3. Gather Information. If you think it’s possible to do, gather the required information as much as possible. Make sure you took note of license plate numbers, vehicle descriptions, and any identifying features.
4. Provide a Witness Statement. If you witness the hit and run accident, provide a written or verbal statement to the police. Tell them exactly what you saw.
5. Cooperate with Authorities. Whether you were involved or you witnesses a hit and run, make sure you provide police with the required information. Answer any question they are going to ask you.
6. Document the Scene. After the hit and run accident, what follows is usually insurance claim negotiations and legal proceedings. You must document the scene like car details, injuries, environment, and others.
7. Contact Your Insurance Company. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with the information they need to kick-start your claim settlement.
8. Seek Medical Attention. If you are involved in an accident, seek medical attention right away even if you initially feel fine. It’s true, some injuries take days or weeks to show up.
9. Consult with an Attorney. You must consult with a car accident attorney or any lawyer that specializes in personal injuries.
The lawyer will ensure that your rights are protected, help you explore your legal options, and represent you during court proceedings or during negotiations with the insurance company.
Investigation Process
When handling hit and run cases in Chicago, law enforcement agencies typically follow a specific investigation process that involves evidence collection, witness statements, and surveillance footage. Here is an overview of the steps involved:
1. Receiving the Report. When the police receive any hit and run incident report, the report will be assessed to ascertain whether the information given alleges a crime, a danger, or no need to pursue.
2. Evidence-Gathering. Depending on what police decide to do with the report, police may kick in and find physical evidence like visiting the scene, taking photographs of the scene and injuries, and finding eyewitnesses.
3. Witness Statements. Eyewitnesses provide valuable information that helps in the investigation process.
Recommended reading: Is a hit and run considered an accident to state farm insurance?
4. Surveillance Footage. Traffic cameras, or any CCTV in the neighborhood could have captured the whole incident. This helps in identifying the hit-and-run car and any other traffic violations.
5. Evaluation and Processing. The traffic police will proceed to evaluate both the physical and digital pieces of evidence obtained. This may involve forensic analysis, such as examining vehicle damage or analyzing surveillance footage.
6. Obtaining Witness Statements. To build a strong case, police need to find eyewitnesses.
Penalties and Consequences
If you are reading this article from Illinois, Individuals found guilty of hit and run offenses in Chicago face a range of potential penalties and consequences, including:
1. Fines. Remember, a driver that leaves the scene of an accident could be charged with either a felony or a misdemeanor.
A hit and run felony implies the accident involved deaths and or injuries, whereas a misdemeanor is a charge that will be pressed if the accident involved only property damages.
In Chicago, you will pay up to $2,500 if authorities find you guilty of a misdemeanor. You will pay up to $25,000 in fines once you are charged with a felony.
2. Probation. A driver that leaves the scene of an accident in Illinois is likely to be placed under probation for around 24 months.
3. Jail Time. Depending on whether you are convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor, you may be jailed for up to 14 years.
4. License Suspension. In Chicago, a hit and run charge may affect your driving rights. Depending on the gravity of the charge, you may have your license suspended or revoked.
5. Civil Liability. Hit and run offenders are likely to be sued for the damages and losses suffered by the victims.
Seeking Legal Assistance
It’s important to seek legal help if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident. This will ensure that your rights are protected and for you to receive the best outcome of this case.
Here are some benefits of hiring an experienced hit and run lawyer:
1. Expertise. A hit and run attorney should guide you during the claim settlement process by exploring all possible legal options.
2. Investigation. I already explained this, right? well, the lawyer will help by thoroughly investigating the accident, identifying witnesses, and analyzing the footage evidence. This helps to determine if you were the at-fault driver or not.
3. Negotiation. Believe me or not, there will be lots of negotiations and possibly mediation. The lawyer will spearhead negotiations with the insurance company and all other parties.
When looking for a hit and run lawyer in Chicago, consider the following tips:
- Look for a lawyer with experience handling hit and run cases.
- Choose a lawyer who provides personalized attention and can guide you through the legal process.
- Read reviews and testimonials from previous clients to assess their track record.
- Schedule a consultation to get a sense of the lawyer’s approach and expertise.
Resources and Support
Are you one of the victims of hit and run in Illinois? well, I have got your back. Local options and assistance are available to hit-and-run accident victims in Chicago, including victim advocacy groups, support groups, and counseling services.
Recommended reading: Who will get more money from a car accident settlement, the driver or the passenger from the claims adjuster?
However, the search results do not include detailed information on these tools and services. If you are looking for support, ask family and friends to recommend you one.
Conclusion.
Are you looking for Hit and run prevention and awareness? well, your first step is to know that it’s forbidden by law to flee or leave the scene of an accident.
You should educate yourself on the possible penalties and other punishments for hit and run because this will help you to avoid committing one.
If you currently battling a hit-and-run case, know that hiring an experienced Illinois hit-and-run attorney will help you a lot. A Chicago hit and run lawyer knows how to navigate the complex law and exploit any loopholes to your advantage.
Source:
1. Hit and run. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_and_run
2. Hit and Run Accident Chicago. gainsberglaw. https://www.gainsberglaw.com/practice-areas/car-accidents/hit-and-run/
3. Leaving the Scene of an Accident. hg. https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/leaving-the-scene-of-an-accident-34319
