You must understand that a hit-and-run is a serious offense under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. So if a driver flees the scene of your car accident, they may be facing criminal penalties in addition to the damages you may fight for in your personal injury lawsuit. Read on to discover what to do if you are injured in a hit-and-run and how a seasoned Toronto car accident lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can ensure that justice prevails.
Why might a driver flee the scene of a car accident?
The unfortunate matter that is your car accident may be made worse if the other driver involved flees the scene. There may be several reasons as to why the other driver did not want to stop, exchange information with you, or get the police involved. Examples read as follows:
- The other driver may not have been acting on their “fight or flight” instinct.
- The other driver may not have been a legal immigrant and thereby feared deportation.
- The other driver may not have had auto insurance and thereby could not afford to cover your damages.
- The other driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol and thereby feared a DUI charge.
- The other driver may have had outstanding warrants for their arrest and thereby feared police interaction.
What should I do if I am injured in a hit-and-run accident?
Regardless of why the other driver fled the scene of your accident, it is not fair to you. Rest assured, there may still be ways in which you may correctly identify the other driver and overall recover the damages you incurred from your hit-and-run.
For one, you may immediately pick up your cell phone and dial 911. This is so you may relay the make, model, color, and license plate number of the car to the dispatcher; along with even a physical description of the driver behind the wheel. From here, they may dispatch the police, who may track down the fleeing driver on your behalf.
Secondly, you may safely exit your vehicle to speak with witnesses present at the scene. This is so you may ask witnesses for photos and video recordings they may have captured on their cell phones; along with their willingness to give a statement to the police who responded to your 911 call.
Lastly, you may schedule an initial consultation with a lawyer. This is so you may ask your lawyer to retrieve copies of surveillance camera footage or red light camera footage that may have captured your accident event; along with the identifying characteristics of the fleeing driver.
You may make a more grounded decision in whether to pursue legal action if you first consult with a competent Toronto auto accident lawyer. So please contact us at Merricks Law Group, P.A. today.
