Hit-And-Run Accidents – The Fugitive Defendant
When there is a motor vehicle accident, the law requires the drivers to stop as soon as possible to exchange information, make sure everyone is okay or to determine if a victim requires medical attention, and inspect vehicle damage. Far too often after an accident, one driver flees the scene of the crime. This is known as a hit-and-run. Hit-and-runs apply to hitting an occupied or unoccupied vehicle, a piece of property, or a pedestrian and then leaving the scene without leaving or exchanging information. The Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys at the Philadelphia law firm of Reiff and Bily have been researching and handling hit-and-run claims since 1979.
Leaving the scene of the accident will warrant a ticket, but you could also be fined, have your license suspended, or even face jail time. Factors that are taken into account for sentencing are the nature of the accident, the extent of damage, personal injuries, cooperation with law enforcement, and prior criminal record. Statistics show that every year, over 1,000 people are killed due to hit-and-run accidents. If the hit-and-run driver knew that they had seriously injured or killed someone in the accident, they could be charged with felony hit-and-run or other criminal charges.
There are many reasons why someone might leave the scene of an accident. The driver could be impaired (under the influence of drugs or alcohol), be an unlicensed driver, have a suspended or revoked licensed (repeat offender), uninsured, driving a stolen vehicle, or be an overly aggressive driver.
If you are a hit and-run-accident victim, do not follow the reckless driver. They may be dangerous and should not be confronted alone. Call 911 immediately and tell the police what happened. Provide as many details as you can about the driver and the vehicle, including the license plate number if you manage to record it. Collect information from witnesses and write down their contact information. If possible, preserve any evidence at the accident scene and take photographs of the motor vehicle and accident site.
There are three important factors to be considered in evaluating automobile accidents and hit-and-run accidents: (1) establishing liability; (2) establishing damages; and (3) determining where to collect the damages. Philadelphia personal injury and automobile accident lawyer Jeffrey Reiff and the experienced Pennsylvania hit-and-run lawyers of Reiff and Bily will examine the facts, evaluate your claim, determine which parties and insurance companies are responsible, and organize all of the details of preparing and presenting your hit-and-run automobile accident case. If there is damage to the vehicle in the accident, repairs can be assessed by a body shop.
The Pennsylvania automobile accident and personal injury lawyers at Reiff and Bily work on a contingent fee basis, charging a small percentage of the recovery. They will not get paid one cent unless there is a successful recovery. They have handled a multitude of hit-and-run automobile accidents and have successfully recovered in excess of $150 million dollars from their opponents for physical injuries and emotional damages.
If you are in need of an attorney because you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury as a result of a hit-and-run automobile accident, please call the experienced Pennsylvania vehicle accident lawyers at the law firm of Reiff and Bily.
