What Happens if Both Drivers Leave the Scene of an Accident?
If you were injured or suffered property damage to your vehicle in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, it could leave you in a state of shock that makes it difficult to make good decisions. While both motorists are required to exchange contact information as well as proof of insurance with one another post-accident – even when minimal damage is involved – they’re required to call the authorities and wait for them to arrive anytime there is obvious damage to one or both cars or whenever someone was injured in the accident.
If the other driver speeds off, you may be at a loss regarding what to do next, and while you should report the accident and await the attending officer’s arrival, failing to do so does not mean that you can’t recover compensation for the losses you suffered because of the other driver’s negligence. Your claim will, however, be more legally challenging, which makes seeking the trusted legal counsel of an experienced Nashville car accident attorney early in the process a wise choice.
Reasons for Leaving the Scene of the Accident
If the negligent motorist who caused the accident in question keeps on driving, they commit what’s commonly called a hit-and-run, and they often do so because they know they’re over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC), recognize that their distraction or excess speed was the root cause of the accident, or know they don’t carry the minimum car insurance coverage required by law. In other words, they’re attempting to elude liability.
There are a range of reasons that you may have left the scene of the accident prior to the authorities arriving, including:
- If you didn’t see the point of calling the authorities since the other driver didn’t stop.
- When seeking immediate medical attention was more important than waiting.
- If you don’t feel safe in the location of the accident.
- You panicked and simply left.
Being involved in a violent car crash can leave you exceptionally vulnerable, and this can translate to making decisions that you otherwise may not have.
Car Accident Claims Are Complicated
If you left the accident scene but suffered losses because of the other driver’s negligence, you retain the right to seek compensation, but you should expect your claim to be much more complicated than it would have been if you’d both stopped or if you had waited for the authorities to arrive. This is an instance when having a dedicated car accident attorney in your corner from the start is always the best option.
An Experienced Nashville Car Accident Attorney Is Standing By to Help
If you and the at-fault driver both left the scene of the car accident, help is available. The savvy Nashville car accident attorneys at Raybin & Weissman will leave no stone unturned in their focused efforts to identify the at-fault driver, prove their negligence in the matter, and fiercely advocate for the compensation to which you’re entitled. For more information, please contact us online or call 615-256-6666 today.