Hit-and-run accidents leave bruises, scars, and mental distress for the victim. Some drivers are just really care less about the way they operate their vehicles. 10-year statistics show that in the United States, from 2012 up to 2021, nearly 20,000 fatal hit-and-runs were reported. Many hit-and-run cases are solved, and those that are at fault are brought to justice. But there are times when challenges appear.
A hit-and-run car accident could be the worst thing that would happen to you, especially if your vehicle is notably damaged. Hit-and-runs happen not only to vehicles and properties but also to pedestrians.
Car accident attorneys are aware of the challenges victims encounter from these accidents, such as a lack of identification of the suspect. But a victim should always stay positive. The technology we have, like CCTV surveillance cameras and license plate recognition systems, is very reliable in tracking down whoever is at fault.
Here are the challenges for victims as well as the law enforcement you might want to know about in a hit-and-run accident.
Table of Contents
Identifying the Suspect
It could be difficult to track down the perpetrator if the accident happens within the blink of an eye. These accidents happen so fast that you do not have a chance to have a glance at the driver or the vehicle driven.
No Witnesses
It would be quite problematic if a hit-and-run accident happened in areas where there are few or no eyewitnesses. Lack of information would leave you in the dark, with the driver fleeing the scene.
Lack of Physical Evidence
The accident scene might leave traces of physical evidence from the suspect, but there are instances where a hit-and-run scene would be clean and leave no trace of evidence.
Stolen or Unregistered Vehicles
You were hit, the driver sped off, and you have a plate number. You called the police; the results for the plate number say stolen vehicle or unregistered. It is a very heavy challenge to get justice in such scenarios.
Did Not Report the Accident Immediately
There are times that a traumatized hit-and-run victim with no witnesses, without suspect identification or evidence, delays reporting the accident to authorities. With delayed reporting, the chances of locating the responsible party would be very low.
Witnesses Do Not Want to Testify
Most witnesses are afraid to come out and testify, even if they have identified the suspect or know the license plate number of the vehicle. Fear of getting involved is one of the reasons why they stay silent and do not cooperate.
Dark area or Nighttime Accident
A perpetrator might get away with the crime if the accident happened in a dark alley at night without CCTV cameras around. It would be hard to identify details about the driver and the vehicle itself.
Jurisdiction Issues
Coordination between law enforcement agencies in different jurisdictions would be challenging. The incident may cross city or state lines, which will complicate the investigation.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the challenges of a hit-and-run car accident. There are others that are so complicated that only law enforcement agencies can explain. You must get in touch with a police officer and inform them about your hit-and-run incident. Also, don’t forget to contact a car accident lawyer for legal and professional advice and representation if the suspect is identified.
There may be difficulties surrounding a hit-and-run accident, but getting past even just one of the challenges listed would be extremely helpful in solving your case. And of course, the legal system and technology are striving to address and do their best to resolve these challenges and improve on solving hit-and-run accidents.
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