Tips For Michigan Car Accident Victims | Michigan Car Accident Lawyers

What is a Hit and Run Accident and Why Do They Occur?

A Michigan hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without stopping to provide their identification and insurance information. Hit and run accidents can involve collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, or property.

While the other driver may flee the scene of the accident for any number of reasons, one of the most common reasons is because they are avoiding other legal issues.

For example, the fleeing motorist may have been driving under the influence of alcohol and fled the scene in order to avoid being prosecuted. Or they may have been driving without insurance, which is a misdemeanor and can open them up to a host of financial penalties and even jail time.

What to Do If You Were the Victim of a Hit and Run Accident in Michigan

You may be shocked to see the other driver speed off after an accident. However, if you remain calm and take these steps, you can make the best of a difficult situation and maximize your chances of receiving the compensation you’re owed.

Note: If your injuries are severe, seek medical attention immediately after your accident.

Record Any Information About the Other Driver:
Note the make, model, and color of the fleeing vehicle, along with the license plate number and any unique characteristics, such as bumper stickers. Also note the location and extent of damage to their vehicle.

If possible, record any details about the driver’s appearance and the direction they came from and fled to.

Contact the Police:
Report the hit-and-run to the police immediately. It’s best to call the police and have them come to the accident site, allowing you to talk to the officer there about what happened. You can also report it at the nearest police station.

Provide the police with all the information you have gathered. A police report is essential for insurance claims and potential legal action.

Seek Witnesses:
If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information. If possible, ask them to give you a statement while it is still fresh in their mind, since their statements may be crucial for both the police investigation and your insurance claim.

Document the Scene:
Gather information and take photos of where the accident took place, how it happened, any injuries sustained, and any property damaged.

Treat All Injuries:
It’s essential that you get professional medical treatment after your hit-and-run accident, even if you do not feel injured or pain. This is because some injuries may not manifest themselves immediately. Injuries or symptoms may also be masked by adrenaline from the accident.

Contact a Michigan Car Accident Lawyer:
Not only will a Michigan car accident lawyer ensure everything takes place correctly at every step of the legal process, but they will also help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you thousands of dollars. The Michigan accident attorneys at Kajy Law have won over 2,500 cases and are ready to offer the legal assistance you need.

How Hit and Run Accidents are Different from Other Michigan Car Accidents

There are several ways that hit-and-run accidents are legally distinct from other Michigan car accidents.

One of the biggest ways is that hit-and-runs are illegal in Michigan. Section 257.617 and Section 257.618 of the Michigan Vehicle Code makes leaving the scene of an accident without exchanging information a misdemeanor or even a felony, depending on the consequences of the accident.

A hit and run can be punishable with imprisonment of up to 90 days if it caused property damage, 1 year if a person was injured, or 15 years if a person was killed.

There is also an added layer of severity to hit-and-run cases when it comes to lawsuits leveled against the responsible party. If the police can identify the driver who fled the scene of an accident, Michigan will allow you to sue them if they are found to be at fault.

The Role Your Auto Insurance Plays with Hit and Run Accidents

Even though the other driver didn’t stop to share their insurance information, your own car insurance company is still going to pay for the damages and medical bills related to the accident. This is because Michigan is a no-fault state, which means each person’s insurance takes care of their own client’s injury-related bills.

However, you may need to already have uninsured motorist coverage (UM) on your policy to recover certain damages such as pain and suffering or other economic damages from a hit-and-run accident.

This is because the insurance companies will treat this as if you were in an accident with someone who doesn’t have any insurance.

Need More Answers About Hit and Run Accidents in Michigan?

After a hit-and-run accident in Michigan, you need attorneys who know what to do at each step. This includes handling insurance claims, investigating every detail of the accident, and helping you take legal action against the responsible parties.

Kajy Law’s car accident attorneys are ready to provide the answers you need–all for free. Simply fill out our contact form or call us today to schedule a consultation.

Hit and run victims involved with Detroit car accidents, Dearborn car accidents, or accidents anywhere else in Michigan can count on our Michigan car accident attorneys to provide experienced representation that gets results.

Contact Our Michigan Car Accident Lawyers Today

Our Michigan car accident lawyers don’t want you to get taken advantage of. Let us use our combined 133 years of legal experience to manage every aspect of your hit-and-run accident case to help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today for a free consultation with our Michigan accident attorneys. Call us at 248-702-6641 or fill out our contact form.