Per a WDRB article, thousands of hit-and-run wrecks happen in Kentucky every year. Statistics, in fact, show staggering numbers. According to statistics gathered from a 2021 state police report, over 11,000 hit and run crashes occurred in 2021. 38 of those crashes ended with at least one fatality.
It is a crime to flee the scene of a car accident. Said crime could lead to prison time. Fleeing the scene of a wreck is a Class D felony if there is a serious injury or fatality involved. Class D felonies are punishable by up to five years in prison.
According to Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), hit-and-run wrecks make up around 16% of Louisville’s overall motor vehicle wrecks. LMPD encourages anyone involved in a wreck to stay at the scene of the incident, call 911, and to move the vehicles involved to the side of the road if possible. Also, if possible, we highly recommend that you take as many photos at the scene of the accident as possible. If the other driver tries to flee the scene, try to either take a photo of their license plate or quickly memorize their license plate number and write the license plate number down as soon as possible. Also, try to make note of the hit-and-run vehicle’s make, model, and color and the hit-and-run driver’s appearance. You should call 911 to report the wreck even if the other driver flees the scene of the accident and report all details you can about the vehicle and driver that fled the scene to the police.
If you are a victim of a hit-and-run accident, your first concern should obviously be for you and your passengers’ safety. It is highly recommended that you do not try to follow or pursue a vehicle that is fleeing the scene, as a car chase presents many dangers. If there are any witnesses to the accident, if possible, speak with them to see if they recall any details about the accident or the hit-and-run driver/vehicle. In today’s world, it’s possible that a witness may have even caught the moments after the accident on video using their smartphone. This video could come in handy in tracking down the hit-and-run driver/vehicle.
If you are injured due to the negligence of a hit-and-run driver, you can still file a claim for uninsured motorist coverage if the vehicle you occupied had such coverage on the vehicle, if you carried such coverage on any vehicle you own or live with a relative that carries such insurance coverage on their automobile insurance policy. Damages that you can include in your claim for uninsured motorist coverage include past and future lost wages, past and future medical expenses, and past and future pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a hit-and-run collision, we highly recommend you call a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. Tate and his team at Meagher Injury Lawyers have vast experience in investigating hit-and-run injury accidents. We can not only investigate the facts of the loss and try to track down the at-fault hit-and-run driver and vehicle, but we can also investigate if there are any insurance policies applicable to your claim for injuries that apply to your case. If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run accident, Don’t Wait, Call Tate! today for a free legal consultation.