Police say that they are looking for a red Jeep but so far have not been able to identify the driver. They are asking anyone with any information to call their tip line at 509.242.8477 or use their online tip form.
Hit-and-Run and Pedestrian Accidents
Getting hit by a car as a pedestrian is a traumatic experience. Cars are 20 times the mass of the average person and can do great damage to someone who doesn’t have the protection of another vehicle. This experience is made worse when the driver of the car leaves the scene. This also increases the risk of serious injury and death.
This is because often the driver of a car in a pedestrian accident is unhurt and can call for help, but if the driver fled, then the victim is left to fend for itself. This delay can be fatal or increase the severity of the victim’s injuries.
This also frustrates the investigation of the scene as a key piece of evidence—the car—is not there. Typically in two-car crash, there is debris at the scene along with the vehicles that can be used to determine what happened.
What to do if You Were a Pedestrian in a Hit-and-Run
The most important thing is to stay calm and get safe. If you are able, get to a place where you won’t be struck again, and then follow these steps:
- Get to safe position to avoid second hit.
- Call 911
- Get a license number.
- Description of the person and vehicle.
- Location of damages on the car.
- Direction the car fled.
- Get pictures of the area and of your injuries, if possible.
- Get names of any witnesses and any information they have of the incident.
- Do not follow the driver.
Insurance and Pedestrian Hit-and-Run
With a hit-and-run, getting the at-fault driver to pay for the damages can’t happen if the driver isn’t found. This puts more anxiety on the victim as he or she is uncertain who is going to pay for their financial losses.
Sometimes, the policy of the pedestrian can be used and most policies cover for any auto accident. If that policy has uninsured or underinsured protection, then you may be able to use that to cover your losses. Also, policies often have a “med pay” provision that pays up to a certain amount of the medical bills of anyone hurt in the accident, regardless of fault.
Do I need an Attorney?
In many situations, an attorney may not be needed. However, when the injuries are severe or the issues complicated like a pedestrian hit-and-run, an attorney would be a wise choice. If you are a victim of a hit and run, you need help in working through all of these complicated issues to determine how to get compensated. You need an attorney that understands hit-and-run law and has experience dealing with insurance companies, whether your’s or the other driver’s. Don’t wait until they start treating you poorly before you contact an attorney as some mistakes can’t be undone. The sooner you have someone working for you, the better off you are. Call the Pearce Law Firm, P.C. at (215) 557-8686 or text at 215 880 6164. You can also contact us online by clicking here.
