How To Prove a Hit-and-Run Accident

When the at-fault driver leaves the scene of an accident, it can make it hard to prove who was responsible for the injuries caused by the crash. This is especially true when there are no witnesses, and you must rely on your evidence to prove that another party was at fault. Despite the difficulty of these cases, it is possible to prove a hit-and-run claim with careful documentation and evidence gathering.

Hit-and-Run Statistics

According to the most recent data (2018) from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, hit-and-run fatalities made up nearly 5.1 percent of all U.S. traffic fatalities in 2015. With a total number of 737,100 hit-and-run crashes, one collision happened every 43 seconds. Out of those accidents, 138,500 were injured, and 1,819 were killed.

Gathering Evidence from the Scene of the Accident

In a hit-and-run accident, you must document as much information as possible, including:

• Taking Pictures – Photograph the scene showing potential skid marks, location of the accident or if any objects were disturbed due to the collision.
• Video Evidence – Security cameras or other sources of video footage may have captured part or all of what happened during the incident.
• Dash Cams – Dash cams record live footage of what is happening in front (and sometimes behind) your vehicle, which can be used as evidence to track down the other driver.

Dash cams also provide current information, such as speed and location, that may have otherwise been difficult to obtain after the accident. In addition, these cams are beneficial in cases of insurance fraud or disputes over who was at-fault for an accident.    

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)

Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is a vital addition to any auto insurance policy and can be an invaluable asset in the case of a hit-and-run accident. UM is a type of insurance that helps cover medical costs in the event that you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. It will also cover injury expenses related to a hit-and-run accident.

IMPORTANT: In North Carolina, auto insurance policies with minimum bodily injury and property damage limits must include UM coverage.

How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help Prove a Hit-and-Run

If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run, all is not lost. With proper preparation and guidance from the experienced attorneys at Wallace Pierce Law, those injured by negligent drivers can maximize their chances of recovering full compensation for their losses despite challenging circumstances they may face when attempting to establish fault in a hit-and-run case.

Call us today at (919) 887-7892 or fill out our form online for a free consultation!