A car accident can be a stressful experience, especially when the driver who caused the accident leaves the scene. When you experience a hit-and-run, you might feel like you are out of luck and left with the consequences. Fortunately, an experienced car accident attorney can advise you of your legal rights and options.
At the Law Office of Davide E. Gordon, our team can investigate the crash and attempt to identify the other driver. Even if we are unable to locate the driver, you still have options. When you suffer injuries in a hit-and-run accident in Southaven, consider reaching out to discuss filing a claim for compensation.
Causes and Penalties for Hit and Run Car Wrecks in Mississippi
Motorists may choose to flee the crash scene for a number of reasons. Some of these include:
- Driver intoxication: A motorist who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol may lose their ability to think critically and be tempted to leave the crash site to avoid being arrested. They also may not realize they caused any damage due to their altered state.
- Fear: The fear of getting “in trouble” and the shock that often follows a crash may cause a driver to flee the scene.
- Outstanding legal issues: When the motorist has outstanding warrants or has committed a crime somewhere else, they may decide to run to avoid being caught.
In Mississippi, leaving the scene of a car accident without stopping is a crime. Those who commit a hit-and-run car wreck in Southaven are charged with a misdemeanor, and a conviction can lead to jail time and significant fines of up to $5,000. When the accident causes severe injuries and the driver fails to stop, the offense can be charged as a felony. The convicted driver may also have their license revoked and face five to twenty years in prison, in addition to fines up to $10,000.
What To Do After a Hit and Run Car Crash
There are important steps someone injured in a Southaven hit-and-run accident can take to help protect their right to recovery. Contacting the police and seeking prompt medical treatment for injuries should be the top priority. If injuries allow, collecting and documenting as much information about the accident as possible can also be helpful. This may include the contact information of witnesses and photos of the crash site.
Injured individuals should also reach out to legal representation as early as their health allows. Having an attorney promptly get started on analyzing the details of an event increases the likelihood of being able to locate the at-fault driver and protects an injured party’s right to compensation.
In Mississippi, people involved in personal injury cases have three years from when the injury occurs to file a lawsuit. If the individual cannot identify the at-fault driver, the court may toll the statute of limitations. Additionally, injured parties have the option to file a claim using their uninsured motorist coverage.
Contact a Southaven Attorney After a Hit and Run Motor Vehicle Accident
When you sustain injuries in a hit-and-run accident in Southaven, do not hesitate to contact one of the skilled team members from the Law Office of David E. Gordon to discuss the process of obtaining compensation. We are dedicated to helping individuals like you recover what they need to regain their lives after a traumatic event.
