A hit-and-run driver is a negligent driver

Every year, in New York and across the country, thousands of people are hurt or killed by hit-and-run drivers. According to state laws, when a negligent driver causes a crash, he or she may be held accountable for any victim’s losses. In hit-and-run cases, who victims or their surviving family members may seek relief from all depends on if the driver responsible for the event is ever found.

According to the AAA Foundation, on average, there are about 700,000 hit-and-run accidents across the nation a year. Of those, roughly 2,000 result in victim death. This means that hit-and-run collisions happen every 43 seconds — approximately. This is a significant issue, one that deserves proper attention.

Hit-and-run collisions happen for the same reasons as other accidents — drivers are drunk, distracted or driving recklessly, among other things. Instead of staying at the scene, though, these drivers flee because they get scared, think they won’t get caught or already have criminal records. No matter the reason, leaving only means they’ll have to deal with significant criminal consequences when caught — and many of them are ultimately apprehended.

Where do these accidents happen, and to whom? Most hit-and-run collisions occur in areas that are not crowded and dark. Most of the victims are pedestrians. Studies have shown that victims of these events are most often males.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter a victim’s gender or age, and it doesn’t matter the driver’s reason for leaving; victims or — in the event of fatality — their surviving family members should not be left dealing with the consequences of hit-and-run accidents on their own. In New York, if the negligent driver is caught, legal actions may be filed against that individual and his or her insurance provider in an effort to seek compensation for one’s losses. If the responsible party is not found, all hope is not lost. Victims or their loved ones may seek relief by pursuing compensation from their own insurance providers or anyone else who may be thought accountable for their losses.