5 Things to Do When You Are Involved in a Teenage Hit and Run Case

Shocking but true, around 3,000 teenagers aged 13-19 years died in motor vehicle crashes in 2022. Teen hit-and-run accidents are a chilling reality, one that leaves the victims and their families reeling from the trauma and shock. 

Victims must understand their rights and responsibilities to protect themselves from further harm and ensure justice. In this article, we will discuss essential steps to navigate the legal complexities following the teen hit-and-run case.

1. Prioritize Safety and Seek Help Immediately

According to Forbes, one fatal car accident occurs every 15 minutes in the U.S. Needless to say, the moments after the crash are critical. The first thing to do is to assess everyone for injuries and call an ambulance if anyone is hurt badly. 

Even if the injury seems to be a minor one, it could lead to a fatality later on.  According to WHO, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for victims aged 5-29 years. Once you have assessed the injury and on-ground situation, call 911 or the local emergency number to report the hit-and-run incident. 

Shock and trauma are natural soon after the accident, but you must clearly and concisely describe the incident to the dispatcher. The dispatcher will need information like the car's make, model, color, and license plate that fled.

Most importantly, do not leave the accident scene before authorities arrive. Your presence at the crash site is critical for authorities to gather valuable first-hand information and investigate thoroughly. 

2. Gather and Document Critical Evidence

As you wait for the emergency services to arrive at the scene, try to gather as much evidence as possible. This information will help support your case, which is crucial because only 1.5% of hit-and-run cases were solved in 2023. 

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The critical information you should correctly remember is the make, model, color, and license number of the vehicle, the direction of the vehicle, the exact time and the precise location, etc. Once you have noted down all the details of the fleeing vehicle, look around for potential witnesses.

This could be anyone who may have watched the incident as it happened and the fleeing vehicle. Their testimony will be crucial in identifying the driver and holding them accountable. This is crucial because it's estimated that 90% of hit-and-run cases are never solved because the driver is never identified. 

Lastly, everyone owns a smartphone nowadays. Put it to good use by clicking pictures and taking scene videos. Evidence of damage to your car, injury, skid marks on the road, and any other detail will significantly help your cause. Don't go out of your way to collect evidence and put yourself in more danger than you already are.

3. Contact the Authorities and File a Police Report

As mentioned in the article, provide all information and evidence to the police when they arrive at the scene. The detailed, first-hand account of the accident and evidence will help the authorities to nab the driver responsible quickly. After you have provided the details of the fled car, explain the incident clearly to them. Be clear and detailed about everything that led up to the hit-and-run, any conversation with the driver, and also mention the witnesses. 

Once you have filed the police report, ask for a copy for your records. This document will be critical to claiming insurance and any legal procedure that may follow. Speaking of legal procedure, hit-and-run cases can be complex and involve various legal procedures. For example, Colorado Springs witnessed close to 3,000 crashes until May 2024. 

According to Springs Law Group, more than 10,000 motor accident claims are filed in the city every year. Also, over 10,000 residents of Colorado Springs seek compensation. 

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In this case, hiring an auto accident attorney in Colorado Springs will ensure you have legal representation and safeguard your rights. An experienced attorney will investigate the accident thoroughly, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult local law experts to ensure you are getting justice.

4. Notify Your Insurance Company

Once you have filed the police report and hired legal support, the next step is to notify your insurance company about the hit-and-run incident as soon as possible. It will help you cover medical bills, vehicle repair, if any, and other damages caused by the accident. 

Review your insurance policy to understand your coverage for hit-and-run accidents. Your policy might have uninsured motorist coverage, which is essential in such cases. The uninsured motorist coverage will help cover your expenses even if the culprit driver is not identified or doesn't have insurance.

Provide a copy of the police report to the insurance company, as it will contain all accident details. This will help the insurance company process the claim and guide you through the whole rigmarole. They may request evidence like medical bills and photos you collected after the incident. Cooperating fully with the company is advisable to ensure a smooth claims process. 

Being a victim of a hit-and-run case is traumatic enough for young people. However, taking swift, decisive action can significantly impact the outcome in your favor. While you need to cover all bases, including collecting evidence and reporting the incident, remember to focus on your recovery.