Hit-and-Run Accidents on the Rise

Car accidents can be scary but are even worse when someone leaves the scene of the accident. A hit-and-run accident occurs when a person intentionally leaves the scene of the accident without providing contact information or helping an individual who was injured in the accident. It is commonly associated with those who are responsible. A hit-and-run can occur when a driver hits another vehicle or a pedestrian, or when a driver hits a parked car.

Reasons for Increased Hit-and-Run Accidents

In 2016, 2,046 pedestrian fatalities were reported. Since 2009, reported incidents of hit-and-run fatalities have increased by an alarming 60 percent. They are the highest that they have been since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began tracking them.

Some attribute this increase to distracted driving, an increased number of vehicles on the road, failure to yield, careless driving, and reckless driving. According to the Auto Insurance Center, which used data from the NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, more than two in three hit-and-run fatalities in 2016 involved pedestrians or bicyclists. What is even scarier is that police only make arrests in about one percent of all hit-and-run crashes annually. This has remained the same since 2013.

States with the highest rate of fatal hit-and-runs per 100,000 residents include Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. However, none of them came close to New Mexico’s rate of 2.4 fatal hit-and-runs per 100,000 people in 2016. One commonality is that states see more incidents in months with increased foot traffic, while rates drop down during the coldest parts of the year.

The Other Driver Left the Scene

If the driver has left the scene, it is imperative that you take the steps necessary to maximize recovery for your losses. It is a good idea to involve the police when injured or when property damage is over a certain amount of money. The victim should seek medical attention to document what may otherwise be a difficult link between the accident and injuries that are not self-evident.

Making note of the other car and driver in question is important. Whether it be the make, model, color, license plate, damage, bumper stickers, or even what the driver was wearing, any information is helpful in attempting to locate them. It becomes harder to remember details as time moves on.

Make sure to get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident and to identify any nearby cameras that may have documented the accident. If capable, the victim should also take pictures of the vehicle damage and the scene of the accident from a variety of angles. Documenting the time and location of the accident can also prove extremely helpful.

Camden Car Accident Lawyers at DiTomaso Law Help Victims Injured in Car Accidents

It can be overwhelming to deal with the claims process while also trying to recover from any injuries incurred. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it is important to be justly compensated. That is why it is important to seek out an attorney with the experience and knowledge to steer you in the right direction. At DiTomaso Law, our Camden car accident lawyers work with clients from our offices in Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and we proudly serve the surrounding areas, including Mt. Holly, Camden County, and throughout South Jersey. For a free consultation, call 856-414-0010 or contact us online today.