A hit-and-run accident happens when a driver hits another person or vehicle and then leaves the scene without stopping. This is a serious crime that makes it very hard for victims to get help with their medical bills or car repairs. When the other driver runs away, they leave you to deal with the physical and financial pain all by yourself.
If you get hurt by a driver who flees, calling a firm like Koch & Brim can help you figure out what to do next.
Drivers must stop if they are in a crash that hurts someone. If a driver leaves the scene of an injury accident, they can be charged with a felony. Since this law exists to protect you, a lawyer uses these rules to make sure you can still get money for your injuries even if the driver is not found yet.
Why You Need a Lawyer Right Away
You should call a lawyer as soon as you are safe because evidence disappears very fast. A legal team can ask for video from nearby cameras at gas stations or stores before the tapes are erased. Sometimes, a single clear picture of a license plate is the only way to catch the person who hit you.
A lawyer also talks to your insurance company for you. If the other driver is gone, you may need to use your uninsured motorist insurance to cover your bills. Your lawyer makes sure your insurance company treats you fairly and pays you what you truly deserve.
Your Legal Rights After a Crash
The law tells drivers exactly what they must do after an accident. For example, drivers must share their name, address, and car info with the police or the other person. When someone breaks this law by running away, a lawyer uses that fact to show that the driver was wrong.
Beyond driver identification, the law also requires motorists to move vehicles to a safe spot if the crash only involves property damage. Failing to obey this baseline rule can lead to additional penalties. Understanding these specific codes helps victims prove the fleeing driver entirely ignored their legal duties.
- Collecting Evidence: Lawyers help you get police reports and medical records to prove what happened.
- Talking to Experts: Your legal team can hire experts to look at the damage and explain the crash.
- Negotiating Settlements: A lawyer handles the hard conversations with insurance workers so you can focus on healing.
Steps to Take After a Hit and Run
- Call 911 immediately to report the crime and get medical help.
- Write down everything you remember about the car, such as the color or make.
- Take photos of the scene and any damage to your vehicle.
- Gather contact info from any witnesses who saw what happened.
- Contact an attorney to help you start your claim.
Victims may also face ongoing uncertainty when the at-fault driver is not identified, making it harder to recover compensation quickly. Delays can increase emotional stress and financial pressure as medical bills and repair costs continue to rise.
Key Takeaways
- Leaving an injury accident is a felony under NRS 484E.010.
- You need a lawyer to save video evidence before it gets deleted.
- Attorneys help you use your insurance if the driver is missing.
- The law requires all drivers to share their information.
- Lawyers use experts to prove how the crash really happened.
Having a lawyer stops insurance companies from paying you too little.
