Police are looking for a white 2010 – 2013 Kia Forte with a bug deflector on the hood that was believed to be involved in a hit-and-run accident. The crash occurred around 9:30 Saturday Morning, December 1, 2018, on the 2100 block of Market Street.
According to police, the injured man was walking in a crosswalk when struck by a motorist who then fled the scene and was last seen on Market Street at 19th Street heading south. The victim is in critical condition with a head injury.
Pedestrians Hit-and-Run Crashes
When a driver leaves the scene after hitting another vehicle, it increases the risk to anyone injured in the crash. Often when someone is injured in a vehicle collision, the at-fault driver is available to call for help. However, in a hit-and-run, the injured is left to seek help. If the person is severely injured or not conscious, then help is likely delayed.
When the inured is a pedestrian, the likelihood of a more severe injury is greater as the injured is unprotected. In these situations, any delay might be fatal. Another problem with a pedestrian hit-and-run is the lack of evidence at the scene. When two cars collide, there is evidence available for the investigators, but if the only vehicle in a pedestrian accident leaves, then there is little evidence to use to figure out what happened and who did what.
What to do if You Were a Pedestrian in a Hit-and-Run
If you find yourself in a pedestrian hit-and-run, the first thing to go is to stay calm. Then follow these steps—if able—to increase your safety.
- 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’s insurance information isn’t possible unless he or she is found, and there is uncertainty who is going to help cover the financial losses. This is compounded when the victim is a pedestrian. Why? Because insurance policies have an uninsured benefit that pays when the policy holder is driving and involved in a crash with an uninsured motorist.
In many policies, this includes when the at-fault driver has fled. However, this becomes complicated when the owner of the insurance policy is not driving their car but walking. This doesn’t mean that there is no coverage, but it does increase the complexity of the issue.
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 were injured as a pedestrian in a hit-and-run, you need and attorney can who tell you the law and give you an assessment of your case.
You need an attorney that understands hit-and-run law and has experience dealing with insurance companies, whether yours’ 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.