Before you can even digest that you were just involved in a car accident, the other involved driver may be speeding away from you. While this may have been their fight or flight response, you cannot accept this behavior for what it is. So, if you have fallen victim to this, please continue reading to learn what to do if the other driver flees the scene and how an experienced St. Mary’s County car accident lawyer at The Dorsey Law Firm can help you achieve justice in the matter.
What should I do if the other driver flees the scene?
Well, let’s start with what you should not do when the other driver flees the scene of your car accident. That is, you should not chase after them. We understand that your adrenaline may be pumping immediately following your crash. But it is better to remain level-headed and calmly, safely pull over to the side of the road. This is because it is technically against the law to leave the scene of an accident without notifying law enforcement if you and other involved drivers incurred bodily injuries and property damages. What’s more, after the impact your vehicle experienced, it may no longer be safe to drive it anymore.
So, yes, please pull over and call 911 as your first step. Hopefully, you caught the other driver’s license plate number and their vehicle’s color, make, and model they sped out of sight. Please relay this information to the dispatcher on the line, so that they send law enforcement officers out to track them down. In the meantime, wait patiently for officers to respond to the scene of your accident. You may also take photos of your injuries and damages and exchange details with eyewitnesses at this time.
What are the penalties for causing a hit-and-run accident?
The hope is that with the evidence you were able to conjure up, you can eventually identify the at-fault driver of your hit-and-run accident. To reiterate, a hit-and-run is considered a criminal offense in the state of Maryland. So, this driver may be up against serious prison time and hefty fines, depending on the extent of bodily injuries and property damage they caused. They may also get points off their driver’s license, or worse, a suspension or revocation.
In these criminal proceedings, the court may also order the driver to pay restitution to you and the other victims. This is in an effort to cover the costs of your medical expenses, vehicle repair or replacement bills, etc. However, if this restitution is still not enough to cover all your experienced economic and non-economic damages, you may take it upon yourself to file a personal injury claim. In conclusion, before entering the legal arena, you must retain the services of a skilled St. Mary’s County auto accident lawyer. Reach out to The Dorsey Law Firm today.
