Experiencing any type of car accident can be emotionally and physically challenging. But a hit-and-run collision adds an extra layer of uncertainty. The aftermath leaves you questioning how you’ll recover physically, emotionally, and financially when the other driver leaves the scene.
You Still Have Options
You still have options, even if you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run and were not able to obtain contact information for the other party. It is important to know your rights, and what action you can take after an accident, whether your hit-and-run accident was in Salt Lake City, Tooele, Ogden, Provo, and beyond. Knowing your options can help protect your right to a claim and get the healthcare and compensation you deserve.
Dealing With a Hit-and-Run Accident in Utah
Hit-and-run accidents are unfair and unfortunately common. Accidents where one driver flees the scene make up approximately 11% of auto accidents . Keep reading to learn more about dealing with a hit-and-run accident in Utah.
Are you or anyone else injured?
Call 911 right away if you or anyone else is seriously hurt. Even if you don’t appear to have serious injuries, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. (Calling 911 may not always be necessary.)
Sometimes injuries can take a few days to fully manifest due to adrenaline and other endorphins from an accident. Seeing a doctor helps start documentation of the accident and injuries. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your physical and emotional health.
Crash Pain & Injury Clinic is ready to help evaluate your injuries so you can start the road to recovery. Our doctors have experience working with car accident patients which is important to your healing journey. Crash Pain & Injury Clinic accepts most insurance plans. If you are uninsured, we can help connect you with legal experts who will help get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact the Police
Make sure to contact the police and have them come to the accident scene. The police will file a report and take statements from you and other witnesses. Sometimes the police can radio alert other law enforcement officers who might be able to locate and stop the driver who fled the scene.
Contact your insurance company
Even if you don’t have the other driver’s insurance, notifying your own insurance company might enable you to use your own uninsured motorist coverage, if applicable, to pay for damages to your car.
Take notes of what happened
Car accidents are high-stress situations. If you can, write down the make, model, color, and license plate of the car that hit you. A physical description of the driver and what direction the driver went as they left the scene can also be helpful information for the police.
Here are some helpful quick facts about hit-and-run accidents in Utah
- If someone is injured or killed in a car accident, the motorists must contact law enforcement and file a police report.
- If property damage, resulting from a car accident, appears to exceed $2,500, motorists must contact law enforcement and file a police report.
- Leaving the scene of an accident where there is property damage is a Class B misdemeanor.
- Leaving the scene of an accident where someone was injured could be a Class A misdemeanor or a third-degree felony, depending on the severity of the injuries.
- According to Utah Code 41-6a-401, individuals who reasonably believe they have been part of a car accident that led to property damage, physical injuries, or death are obligated to stay at the accident site.
Dealing With a Hit-and-Run Accident: We Want to Help You
At Crash Pain & Injury Clinic, we understand how complex and devastating a hit-and-run accident can be. With compassion, patience, and understanding, our doctors are ready help you jumpstart your healing journey. If you’re dealing with a hit-and-run accident in Utah, give us a call today!