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How to find out if a hit-and-run was reported?

Is there an way how to find out if a hit-and-run was reported?

Hit-and-run accidents are a serious issue on the roads, and understanding the basics of these accidents is crucial for you if you are involved in one. 

A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver causes an accident and then leaves the scene without stopping to provide information or render aid to anyone that is injured. These types of accidents can be incredibly stressful for the victim, and it is important to know what steps you should take in the event that you are involved in one.

The first step in understanding the basics of hit-and-run accidents is to know the legal definition of a hit-and-run. According to the law, a hit-and-run occurs when a driver is involved in an accident and then leaves the scene without stopping by to provide information or render assistance to anyone who may be injured. 

This can include accidents involving other vehicles, pedestrians, and even property. It’s also important to understand the parties involved, the driver who caused the accident and the victim, whether it’s a person or a property.

It’s also important for you to be aware of the consequences of a hit-and-run accident, both legally and in terms of the insurance. It’s a criminal offense, and the driver who caused the accident can face fines, imprisonment, and loss of their driver’s license. 

The victim’s insurance may not cover damages if the driver who caused the accident is not identified. Therefore, it’s essential to report any hit-and-run accident as soon as possible and for you to gather as much information as possible about the driver and their vehicle. 

In this article, I will discuss the importance of reporting hit-and-run accidents, the role of the police and other authorities in investigating a hit-and-run accident, and the legal and insurance consequences of failing to report a hit-and-run accident.

Page Contents

Understanding the Basics of Hit and Run Accidents

Definition of Hit and Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents can be defined as the type of accident where one of the drivers that are party to the collision legally flees the accident scene. 

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In normal circumstances, the law requires that each driver stops by, exchanges information with the other party, offers the necessary assistance in case there are personal injuries, and also notify the police about the accident. 

Related article: Chances of getting away with hit and run car accident.

Leaving the accident scene is a crime, and is punishable by law in all states. Leaving the accident scene or committing a hit-and-run could earn you multiple fines, license revocation, suspension, or a good number of years in jail.

For example, in Los Angeles, a hit-and-run carries at least 6 months in Jail and fines of up to $1,000.

Parties Involved in a Hit-and-Run Accident

According to current reports, more than 60% of hit-and-run accidents in the USA involve a car hitting a pedestrian, bicyclist, and or motorcyclist.

This implies that only at least 40% of hit and runs involve car-to-car collisions. Parties involved in a hit-and-run accident include drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. Hit and run could also involve a collision with properties like a building.

The Importance of Reporting Hit and Run Accidents

Legal Obligations of Reporting a Hit and Run Accident

Committing a hit-and-run is a serious offense and is severely punishable by law. The police will soon be on the lookout for the perpetrators of hit and run ready to slap several charges. 

If you committed a minor hit and run, you could be charged with a misdemeanor. You may be asked to pay fines of up to $1,000 and spend up to 1-2 years in jail depending on where you come from. 

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Committing a major hit and run implies charges of felony. Depending on where you live, you could pay hefty fines and spend up to 15 years in jail.

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For example, if you live in California, a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge carries fines of up to $1,000 and jail time of up to 6 months. Depending on the severity of the crime, you could also have 3 years of probation.

Here is another example. In Florida, 3rd-degree felony charges could slap you with $5,000 in fines and up to 5 years in prison. Penalties for 2nd-degree felonies in Florida include a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 15 years in prison.

Gathering Information and Filing a Report for a Hit and Run Accident

It is not only the duty of the at-fault driver to stay and follow all the legal requirements of the car accident. The law requires that you stay and share personal information with the other party, even if you are not at fault for the collision. 

Leaving the accident scene means committing a hit-and-run even if clearly you were not the driver that caused the accident.

How to File a Report for a Hit-and-Run Accident?

You should simply treat hit-and-run just like any other road traffic accident. Follow these steps to report a hit-and-run accident.

  • If any person is injured, call 911 and arrange transportation to the hospital.
  • Share personal information with the other party.
  • Enquire from the bystanders if any person saw the vehicle and note down the descriptions.
  • Call and inform the police of the accident, and stay till police officers arrived and compiled a car accident report.
  • Notify your insurance company about the accident to kick-start your claim process.

But, How to find out if a hit and run was reported? simple, Contact a local law enforcement agency, or insurance company and check local news media to find out if a hit-and-run was reported, providing additional information can help identification of the hit-and-run offender.

Where to Report a Hit and Run Accident?

Every state requires drivers to report car collisions a reason you will be charged with a hit and run if you flee the scene without reporting or sharing information.

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Different states have deadlines within which you should report a car accident including a hit and run. In normal situations, you are required to report the hit and run or any car crash to the police or to the collision reporting center within less than 24 hours. 

For example, In Ontario, the driver should report the car accident within less than 7 days, though the authorities recommend 24 hours. An accident victim in NYC should report a car accident or any hit and run in less than 10 days. 

The Role of the Police and Other Authorities in Investigating Hit and Run Accidents

The Role of the Police in Investigating Hit and Run Accidents?

The police usually use the information and any pieces of evidence you provided to investigate the hit-and-run accident. 

Every driver is supposed to gather information like the other driver’s name, address, location, license plate, registration number, insurance coverage, contact, witness statements, and others.

The police will use such information alongside other pieces of evidence like car accident footage to investigate and arrest the hit-and-run offender. 

According to statistics, at least 10% of the hit-and-runs are solved by police, leaving at least 90% of the cases unresolved. If you had a minor hit and run, probably the police will not waste their resources to investigate the case unless they have a clear lead.

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Police will highly likely investigate any major hit-and-run especially if there are deaths and severe injuries involved. 

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You will know that your hit and run was reported if the police contacted you or from the local news. Your insurance company or the insurance company of the other hit-and-run victim could also contact you.

Once the hit-and-run is reported, the police will patrol the neighborhoods and visit all local repair shops for any clues. 

The Importance of Eyewitness Accounts in Hit and Run Cases?

Many civil cases just like car accidents rely on pieces of evidence at hand to hold liable parties. Your case with no doubt will be strengthened by the presence of witnesses. 

“One of the most important pieces of evidence in any hit and run is witness statements, car accident footage, license plate number, and being able to physically recognize the offender”, says Adam a police officer.

The Role of Surveillance Footage in Hit and Run Investigations?

Many people today have learned how car accident footage help in resolving car accident liability issues. Dash cams and other cameras installed on the buildings could have captured the whole accident process and this could help you prove you are not at fault for the accident. 

Probably the footage was able to capture the color of the car, model, and make. The surveillance footage will also help in identifying the car’s license plate number and the driver.

The Consequences of Failing to Report a Hit and Run Accident?

Legal Consequences of Failing to Report a Hit and Run Accident

I already earlier in this article explained the consequences of a hit-and-run accident.

For example, failing to report a hit-and-run accident can result in criminal and civil consequences. Criminal charges can be due to leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident, and failure to render aid. 

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These charges can result in fines and/or imprisonment. In addition to criminal charges, the individual who failed to report the accident may also be subject to a civil lawsuit brought by the victim(s) of the accident. 

This can result in financial liability for any damages or injuries caused by the accident. Depending on the jurisdiction, the driver’s insurance rates could also be affected by a hit-and-run accident.

Checking the Status and Following Up on a Hit and Run Report

To check the status and follow up on a hit-and-run report, you can contact the law enforcement agency in your locality that took the report. They will be able to provide you with information about the status of the investigation and offer updates. 

Where do you get their contact from? You can find the contact information for the agency on the police report or by searching online for the agency’s contact information.

You can also reach out to your insurance company to report the accident and provide them with any information you have about the other driver. Insurance companies may have their own investigation process and will be able to provide you with information about any potential coverage for damages or injuries.

Article for you: The Role of a Car Accident Attorney in Maximizing Your Compensation-Dolan Law Firm.

If you have any additional information about the accident or the other driver, it is important to provide this to the law enforcement agency and your insurance company as soon as possible. This can help them in their investigation and potentially lead to the identification of the perpetrator.

If you or the police are unable to locate and arrest the hit-and-run offender, you have no option but to foot the damages from your own pocket or go after your insurance coverage.

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Usually, your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and collision insurance coverage should help you cover the hit-and-run related expenses. It’s better to furnish your insurance company with as much information as possible to help them hunt for the perpetrator.

Your insurance rates may not raise because you are not always at fault in any hit-and-run accident, though I recommend you confirm with your insurance broker or insurance agent.

Legal Consequences of Being Involved in a Hit-and-Run Accident

Criminal charges for a hit-and-run arise because of leaving the scene of an accident, failure for you to report an accident, and failure to render aid to the victims. 

The severity of your charges will depend on the jurisdiction, but they can result in fines, imprisonment, or a criminal record. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may also face additional charges such as reckless driving or DUI.

Additionally, you may also face civil liability for any damages or injuries caused by the accident. You may be forced to pay medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages. You may also be subject to a lawsuit brought by the victim(s) of the accident.

Furthermore, in most jurisdictions, hit-and-run accidents have a severe impact on your insurance policy, it can lead to the cancellation of the policy, or your premium will be increased, and it will also affect your future insurance policy.

It is important to note that hit-and-run accidents are considered serious crimes and should not be taken lightly. It is important to always stop and exchange information with other drivers involved in an accident and to seek legal advice if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident.

Conclusion.

To find out if a hit and run was reported, you should contact the law enforcement agency in an area where the accident occurred. They can provide you with information about the status of the investigation and continue to give you updates.

You can also contact your insurance company to report the accident and provide them with any information you have about the other driver. Additional information can be provided to the law enforcement agency to help in their investigation and lead to the identification of the other driver.