What should happen after a hit-and-run crash in Connecticut?

On Behalf of | Mar 9, 2023 | Car Accidents |

Following the laws that regulate the use of motor vehicles in Connecticut can help prevent collisions and reduce the negative impacts that accidents which do occur have on individuals. For example, Connecticut law requires that people stop to check on the other person(s) involved in the crash and report the wreck to the police if/when there are injuries to either party involved or significant property damage expenses have been incurred.

Unfortunately, many people just leave the scene of a crash because they don’t want to take responsibility for causing it. A hit-and-run collision can leave someone stranded with a disabled vehicle and injuries. People may also worry about what will happen financially when they can’t make an insurance claim against the other driver. As a result, it is important to understand what should happen after a hit-and-run collision in Connecticut so that motorists who may find themselves in this situation understand how to respond.

The affected driver should report the situation to the police

Even if the at-fault driver leaves the scene of the wreck, it is still necessary for the other parties involved to wait for the police to arrive and to file a report.

Notifying the police about the crash can lead to an investigation, which could result in someone tracking down the driver who caused the hit-and-run crash. A successful investigation might lead to someone pursuing a personal injury claim against the driver who drove off or at least an insurance claim.

They may have to use their own coverage

Unfortunately, many hit-and-run collisions in Connecticut never lead to an arrest. Police officers have to prioritize how they allocate their efforts, and a collision with no witnesses will obviously be a lower priority than violent crimes that they have a better chance of solving.

When someone realizes that police are unlikely to make an arrest and therefore prosecutors will probably not charge anyone with the hit-and-run, they may need to use their own insurance to cover their expenses. Those who pay for uninsured motorist protection or collision coverage can use their own insurance instead of simply paying for their costs out of pocket because the other driver left the scene of the crash.

Although the best-case scenario involves people always following traffic laws, that isn’t a very realistic expectation. Those who purchase the right insurance before a crash occurs will have the best protection in the event that they are harmed as a result of other people’s irresponsible behavior. Learning about Connecticut law and its insurance rules can, therefore, help those who have been affected by a recent hit-and-run motor vehicle collision.

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