Hit-and-Run Accidents

The AAA has announced that fatalities from hit-and-runs in the U.S. are at record highs. This is based on a recent study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. It announced that there were 2019 people killed in hit-and-run crashes in 2016, which is up 62 percent from 2009 (the last year that had a downward trend in deaths recorded). That number also makes 2016 the deadliest year since AAA started keeping track of the number of fatalities in 1975. Many victims are pedestrians or cyclistsThe study also found that 65

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When someone hits another car or a pedestrian, the responsible—and lawful—thing to do is get out, check to see whether the other party is injured, and exchange insurance information. But not all drivers act responsibly—or lawfully. Some drivers simply drive away when they hit another car, leaving the other person to deal with the damage. Hit-and-runs drivers come from all walks of life. Sometimes, they can even be public employees. One example is a recent Maryland case in which a city employee fatally struck a pedestrian, then left the scene.

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Let’s say that you are driving down a residential street when a bicyclist sideswipes your car. You pull over, expecting to exchange insurance information, but instead he rides away. Your car now has substantial damage, and you don’t have any information on the cyclist. Is this still considered a hit-and-run? Most people associate hit-and-runs with cars, trucks or motorcycles. These are the vehicles that cause most hit-and-runs, but they are not the only perpetrators. But hit-and-runs can be caused by other types of vehicles, including bicycles. Bicycles and hit-and-runs Some

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After a car accident, both drivers are expected to stop and exchange insurance information. Most drivers are considerate enough to provide their information, or at least leave a note, at the scene of the accident. This is not true of everyone, though. What happens if someone hits your vehicle and drives away? This is called a hit-and-run, and it is illegal. If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, you no doubt have a lot on your mind. Filing an insurance claim while dealing with the fallout of an accident

Continue reading Some tips for filing a hit-and-run claim…

Usually when you drive somewhere, the biggest headache you have to deal with is finding somewhere to park. Let’s say that after leaving the parking lot and going to your destination, you come back to your car only to find that it has been struck by another vehicle—and the driver is nowhere in sight. That’s right: Your car has been damaged in a hit-and-run accident. A hit-and-run is when someone causes an accident and leaves the scene without fulfilling their legal obligations to the victim. In most states, a driver

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A 17-year-old pedestrian who was recently hit by a speeding vehicle has been in the news lately. The young Severn resident was walking home from a party when a speeding silver vehicle—which may have contained attendees of the same party—hit the adolescent and promptly sped away. The victim was hospitalized with injuries that police describe as life threatening. This tragic case is a sobering reminder of a crime that happens all too frequently in our country. If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident, what is your recourse? Immediate action While you’re

Continue reading What you need to know as the victim of a hit and run…