Unfortunately hit-and-run Connecticut auto accidents are a fact of life. They happen more than we would like to think and so it is important to understand what a hit-and-run accident is and how you should approach the accident if you’ve been involved with such an incident.
There are a number of different factors that indicate that an accident was a hit-and-run. Knowing these factors and understanding how they affect you will be helpful if you ever find yourself in this situation. AAA identifies these factors as the following;
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When the driver flees the scene of an accident leaving behind property damage, bodily injury, or in some extreme cases even death
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The accident is one where the drivers of the two (or more) vehicles that were involved do not exchange insurance information
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Given that one of the driver’s fled the scene there is no opportunity to identify both drivers in each vehicle. This may have insurance and criminal implications.
In every state, including Connecticut, a hit-and-run accident is considered a criminal offense against the driver who flees the scene. This means that if the driver who fled is found not only can they be held to account from an insurance standpoint they can also be thrown in jail over the offense. There is one exception to this law and that is if the driver of one of the vehicles has left the scene of the accident to go seek emergency help, then in some instances the criminal offense may not be held on that driver.
In most cases the hit-and-run driver goes unidentified and the damage incurred from the Connecticut auto accident may or may not be covered under your insurance. Coverage against a hit-and-run accident varies and you would have to check your policy to determine whether or not you are covered. If the other driver is found then the accident should be covered under her/his insurance.
In any event, if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident you should call the police, survey the scene, take pictures, get medical attention (if needed) and see if there are any witnesses nearby that may be able to identify the vehicle and driver that hit you in order to bring her/him to justice.
If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident it may be a far more complex situation then a typical auto accident. You may want to seek the support of an experienced attorney who can review your case. Contact our office and one of our attorneys will speak to you about the details.
