Car crashes can be expensive and very inconvenient. Depending on the time of day and the location of a wreck, people may have to wait quite some time to file a police report, and that may only be the starting point of managing the aftermath of the collision.
The frustration that comes from a disruptive experience, like car crash, can alter how people respond to a wreck. Sometimes, motorists are terse or even aggressive toward the other party even if it is clear that the frustrated driver was the one to blame for the wreck. Other times, people may apologize and then seek to avoid consequences, possibly by trying to talk to someone out of reporting a wreck.
There are even some drivers who will openly violate state law and drive off from the scene of a crash. What typically happens after a hit-and-run collision in Alabama?
The party affected must file a report
If someone involved in a hit-and-run crash hopes to secure justice for the situation, they will usually need to file a formal police report. That way, law enforcement professionals can review evidence, ranging from who brings vehicles in for repair at local shops to traffic camera footage, to try to identify the party at fault for the collision.
When they are successful and identify the at-fault driver, the person left behind at the scene of a hit-and-run crash will have several options available. They may be able to file an insurance claim, provided that the person who applied to the scene with the wreck has appropriate coverage. They may also have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a crash results either from illegal activity or negligence, those affected by the collision can potentially pursue justice in the civil courts if they have expenses that go beyond what someone’s insurance will cover.
The parties affected may require support
Police departments don’t always prioritize investigating hit-and-run collisions, and those worried about their ability to recoup their losses may require help communicating with the police department about the status of their case. Sometimes, they need outside help to take over the investigative process. Information that a lawyer can potentially access, including traffic camera or security camera footage of the collision, could play a key role in locating the party who caused the wreck.
It may also be necessary to bring in help for a lawsuit against a hit-and-run driver or intense insurance negotiations. If someone intends to use their personal insurance coverage because they have uninsured motorist protection or collision coverage that can help pay to repair their vehicle, it may also be necessary to bring in help to negotiate that claim.
Knowing roughly what to expect after an Alabama hit-and-run crash may help people more effectively navigate this very challenging and stressful situation.