October 18, 2022

Car Accident Injuries in NC

The State Highway Patrol is searching for a hit and run driver after a man was seriously injured on October 11th, at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Interstate 95 southbound near Kenly. According to troopers, the victim swerved to avoid hitting tire debris on the road, causing him to lose control of his car and overturn. The man was uninjured, but as he was standing next to his vehicle talking to troopers about what occurred, the man was struck by a vehicle traveling on Old U.S. Highway 22, which parallels I-95. The impact threw the man against the fence. The driver quickly drove away from the scene but left part of his car behind as a clue. Troopers are looking for a dark-colored Ford with its passenger side mirror missing. The victim was transported to WakeMed with serious injuries.

Hit and Run Crashes

Swift resolution of the problems surrounding a traffic accident requires the cooperation of all involved drivers. Everyone has to pull off the road, exchange information, and coordinate payment or litigation. Of course, people in these situations are not naturally inclined to work together. The drivers are on opposing sides, and they each want the other to pay for the damage.

In order to make these opposing parties cooperate, the law imposes all sorts of duties on people — rules for how to properly function as adversaries. One of the first of these rules that people encounter is the duty to remain on the scene of an accident. Yet, people do not always follow these rules, resulting in hit and run accidents. In fact, according to national statistics, more than 17,000 people were killed in hit and run accidents over the past decade.

Finding the Other Driver

One of the best ways to recover damages in a hit and run accident is to track down the driver who left the scene. This requires getting as much information at the scene of the accident as possible.

Accidents can be chaotic, but it may be possible for drivers and passengers to notice specific elements such as the color, make, and model of a car. Witnesses who were on the scene can also be helpful. They may have been able to retain more concrete identifying information such as a description of the driver or even a license plate number. People or investigators may also have the opportunity to review video evidence from traffic cameras or security cameras near the scene to attempt to track down the driver.

People involved in a hit and run should also file a police report. It is not uncommon for hit and run drivers to feel guilty about what they did after the fact and turn themselves in to the police, especially in cases where the driver was operating under the influence at the time of the crash. The existence of a police report can help match the hit and run driver to the accident that they caused.

Other Options

Unfortunately, not all hit and run drivers can be tracked down. Sometimes there are no witnesses or cameras, and a driver may not turn him or herself in. However, in these cases, victims may still recover by filing a claim against their own insurance companies. Most insurance policies include coverage for collisions with another driver who does not have their own insurance. This coverage may also extend to collisions with drivers who fled the scene of an accident.

Contact a Carolinas Personal Injury Lawyer

Being the victim of a hit and run accident can be devastating, especially if it involved serious injuries, but you are not without options. If you have been injured in a hit and run accident, contact a North Carolina car accident attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to find out what your legal options may be. Our firm has built a solid reputation for successfully obtaining the best possible outcome available for our clients.

Call our office today to schedule a free and confidential consultation. You can also download our free legal info guide on uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

 

RELATED CONTENT