A car crash can leave you emotionally shaken and physically injured. When you are left to make sense of the shocking events by yourself, it can be even more devastating. That’s what happens when you are in a hit-and-run accident. Typically, when you are involved in a car crash, it is necessary to get information from the other drivers involved in the accident so that you can begin to process a claim for your damages. In a hit-and-run, the culprit is nowhere to be found and you may need some assistance to track them down and get them to take responsibility for their role in the crash. An experienced Las Vegas hit and run accident lawyer can help track down the other driver.
Duty to Stop at the Scene of a Crash
Under Nevada law, drivers have a duty to stop when they are involved in a crash. A driver who has been involved in a crash has several legal duties including:
- Stop at the scene of a crash that results in death or injury
- Stop at the scene of a crash that results in damage to another vehicle or property
- Give their name, address, and registration number of the vehicle they are driving, to any person injured in a crash they are involved in, or to the driver or occupant of any other vehicle involved in the crash, or to any person in charge of other property damaged in the crash
- Render reasonable aid to any person injured in the crash including making arrangements for them to receive medical treatment
- Report the crash to the nearest police office or the Nevada Highway Patrol, if there is no police officer at the scene
- Stop, locate, and notify the owner of any unoccupied vehicle or unattended property damaged in a crash. If they are unable to locate the owner, the driver has a duty to place their name and address, and the name and address of the vehicle owner, if different, in a conspicuous place on or around the vehicle or property
Failure to stop when a crash results in death or injury is a felony that can result in a prison term of between two years and 20 years. Failure to stop when a crash results in damage to another vehicle or property is a misdemeanor.
Tracking Down a Hit-and-Run Driver
Unfortunately, there are drivers who flout the law regardless of the penalty. Tracking down a hit-an-run driver on your own can be challenging, but employing the services of an experienced lawyer can increase your chances of success. Here are some ways that your lawyer can employ to track down a hit-and-run driver:
Evidence gathering: Your car accident lawyer will have the resources to gather evidence from the scene of the crash. Such evidence may include eye witness statements, physical evidence from the scene of the accident, and surveillance footage. Your lawyer can also do some preliminary investigation of suspects including reviewing their whereabouts and their driving record, and interviewing their associates.
Contact Law Enforcement: Your lawyer can work with law enforcement and provide them with pertinent evidence that may assist law enforcement in their investigation of your case.
Public Outreach: Your lawyer can use platforms such as social media and the news media to create awareness about the crash and generate leads to find the culprit.
Pursue Legal Action: When the hit-and-run driver is identified, while they may be facing criminal charges, you may also have to take legal action to get compensation for the damages you suffered as a result of their actions. These damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident, contact Koch & Brim, LLP immediately. We can start working on locating the culprit in your case. You should not have to suffer alone for the damages caused by another person’s wrongdoing. Call Koch & Brim, LLP today at (702) 410-6034 to schedule a free consultation.