A hit-and-run car crash can be a frustrating experience. It is also a criminal matter. California state statutes require that people stop at the scene of a collision and file a police report in cases involving injuries or substantial property damage.
Drivers who broke the law, who don’t have licenses or who lack insurance might try to leave the scene of a crash to avoid responsibility. The people affected by hit-and-run collisions may need to file police reports and may face a challenging process as they pursue compensation for their losses.
If police officers can identify and locate the driver at fault, the person affected by the hit-and-run crash may have the option of filing a lawsuit or insurance claim against them. How frequently do police officers solve hit-and-runs?
Solve rates are surprisingly low
Given the proliferation of cameras in vehicles and at businesses, people often take for granted that law enforcement professionals can easily identify the driver who caused a hit-and-run crash. Unfortunately, statistics indicate otherwise.
In Los Angeles, for example, annual hit-and-run solve rates are as low as 8%. The vast majority of hit-and-run drivers may get away with their crime of fleeing the scene of an accident that they caused.
If local authorities do not solve a hit-and-run, the other party involved in the crash may have limited options for covering their collision expenses. They may require assistance as they file a claim against their own uninsured motorist coverage.
Sitting down with a lawyer to review the circumstances of a hit-and-run collision can help drivers evaluate their options. Insurance claims and lawsuits are both possible, depending on the outcome of a hit-and-run investigation.
