Hit-and-run crashes are unfortunately quite common on our state’s roads, resulting in severe injuries and frustrated victims who can’t hold those who caused their injury responsible in front of the law. So what are your options in the event of a hit-and-run accident? As experienced Toledo car accident lawyers, we have a couple of actionable tips to help you address the situation adequately.
What Does Ohio Law Say About Hit-And-Run Accidents?
Hit-and-run crashes caused the death of 2,564 people in the U.S. in 2020, representing an increase of 26 percent on an annual basis, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports. These crashes also caused the death of 1,582 pedestrians and 938 bicyclists.
Ohio has concrete legal texts that outline how much of a crime hit-and-run is. According to Section 4549.02 of the Ohio Revised Code, a driver is required to stop their vehicle and remain at the location after a collision has occurred. It doesn’t matter if the crash caused damage to property or injuries. The regulation is very clear on what a driver’s behavior needs to be.
Failure to stop after an accident is a misdemeanor in the first degree. Whenever a car crash causes serious injuries or death, hit-and-run is a prosecutable felony. Depending on the severity of the situation, penalties can escalate. Prison sentences can range from six to 12 months and the guilty party will also be subjected to fines.
Important Things to Do After a Hit-And-Run Crash in Toledo
If you get hit by a driver who flees the scene, you’ll need to do the following:
- Immediately call the police: Don’t chase after the other driver, even if you’re capable of doing so. Remain at the scene of the crash and call the police. They will investigate, collect evidence, and try to identify the guilty party.
- Seek medical attention: Seeing a doctor is non-negotiable, even if you’ve only sustained minor injuries. Some kinds of trauma can cause chronic problems in time. Internal bleeding is another serious issue you need to get checked for. Seeing a doctor is also important to help you build a compensation claim in the aftermath of the accident.
- Collect evidence: Once you’ve dealt with the first two steps, sit down and write everything you remember about the crash. Taking pictures and shooting video is also a good idea. If there are witnesses, you may want to reach out and get some contact information.
- Notify your insurance company and get in touch with a Toledo car accident lawyer: You’ll now have to start thinking about getting compensated for the property damage and the injuries you sustained in the crash. Call your insurance company and you’ll receive information about the next steps to undertake. A personal injury lawyer should also be contacted to better understand your chances of receiving additional financial compensation for the traumatic event you went through.
What Happens Next?
After the completion of these steps, you’ll need to wait for law enforcement professionals to do their job.
In the best-case scenario, the police will identify the hit-and-run driver. The perpetrator will be arrested and they will have criminal charges raised against them.
Keep in mind that criminal charges do very little to give you compensation. You will need to go through a civil lawsuit in order to seek financial recovery through the justice system. Your car accident lawyer will give you an overview of the procedure, its intricacies, and how long it takes.
There’s very little you can do in the event of police being incapable of identifying the driver. Financial recovery in such situations can only occur through uninsured motorist coverage.
Protect Yourself: Talk to a Toledo Car Accident Lawyer Now!
Hit-and-run accidents can be very difficult to handle. Often, they will have long-lasting or even permanent consequences. That’s why acting fast and seeking professional assistance immediately makes a lot of sense.
A Toledo car accident lawyer will handle all of the unknowns and the challenges that stem from a hit-and-run collision. They will work to give you a fair settlement. Unlike your insurance company that’s interested in minimizing payments, a car accident lawyer has your best interest in mind.
The 1Ohio car accident lawyer team has an excellent track record and decades of success in the fields of car accident and personal injury claims. Contact us now at 844-853-7373 to benefit from a free case review!
