Introduction
Your car has been hit by another vehicle and the other driver is nowhere to be found. What do you do? Do you call the police? Should you wait for them to arrive, or should you leave your vehicle and try to find the other driver? If this sounds like a familiar situation, read on for some important information about what constitutes leaving the scene of an accident in Michigan.
Fleeing the scene of an accident after a car crash in Michigan
A hit and run in Michigan means that a driver who was involved in a car accident – whether or not personal injury, death or vehicle damage occurred – did not stop at the crash scene and, thus: failed to provide the necessary information to the other people involved in the crash and also failed to assist in securing the necessary medical aid for anyone who was injured.
Stop at the crash scene
According to Michigan law, a driver must stop at the scene of the crash when he or she is involved in an automobile accident.
Information exchange
If at the crash scene, you don’t give your name and contact information, the name and contact information of the owner of the vehicle you were driving, and the vehicle registration number to the police and other people involved in the accident, you may be unlawfully leaving the scene of an accident in Michigan.
Medical aid
A driver who is involved in an auto wreck must also help injured crash victims by securing medical attention.
Penalties
A driver who flees the scene of a motor vehicle crash in Michigan where a victim suffered a serious impairment of body function or death is guilty of a felony. A driver involved in an injury after an accident and who then flees the scene is guilty of a misdemeanor. Penalties include jail time, fines and driver’s license suspension.
Will your insurance protect you if you’re injured in a crash where the driver flees the scene in Michigan?
If you’re injured by a driver who crashed into you and fled the scene and the identity of the driver is never determined, then you may be entitled to benefits to compensate you for your pain and suffering if you have “uninsured motorist” insurance coverage.
Compensation, medical bills and lost wages
An experienced hit and run lawyer will be able to help you understand your legal rights to pain and suffering compensation as well as money damages to cover the costs of your medical care and wages you’ve lost if your injuries prevented you from going back to work.
Conclusion
If you have been hit by a car and the driver flees the scene in Michigan, it’s important to call 911 immediately. The sooner law enforcement officers can get there, the better chance they have of catching the person who hit you.
