After a Maryland car crash, people should stop to check on everyone else involved. They should provide first aid if they can or contact emergency services if necessary. They also need to remain present to file a police report unless they must leave immediately to seek medical care. Even if they leave to receive treatment, they typically need to cooperate by communicating with law enforcement about the crash.
Some people want to avoid responsibility for a crash because they don’t have insurance or know they broke the law. They may drive away from the scene of the collision, converting it to a hit-and-run scenario. Who is liable for the expenses generated by a hit-and-run crash?
The driver at fault
Leaving the scene does not absolve a motorist of their financial liability. Police officers can use witness statements, camera footage and even service requests at repair shops to identify the hit-and-run driver. Once people know who caused a hit-and-run crash, they can file insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits seeking the compensation they deserve.
A personal insurance policy
The person who stayed at the scene and filed the police report may not be able to identify the driver at fault for the crash. In that situation, they may need to file a claim against their own policy. Uninsured motorist coverage can pay for a hit-and-run collision.
Outside parties
Occasionally, third parties are at least partially responsible for hit-and-run collisions. Issues with road design, improper vehicle maintenance, defective components and other factors may justify a third-party claim against a business.
Reviewing the circumstances of a hit-and-run collision with a skilled legal team can help those with car crash expenses pursue the compensation they require. Even when a driver fails to stop after a crash, the other people affected by the collision still have the right to pursue compensation.