An Ohio man will soon be sentenced for a fatal hit and run accident on the Las Vegas strip. In January 2015, the man hit a Las Vegas resident in a cross-walk on the Las Vegas strip and fled the scene. He then returned his rental car and flew home to Ohio, after first trying to repair the windshield, but opting to pay the deductible instead.
He was sentenced to ten years in prison this week, with a minimum requirement of 26 months of time served. Until recently, hit and run drivers in Las Vegas had even more incentive to leave the scene of an accident, especially if drunk, as probation was frequently given out in such situations. The law has recently changed, however, and there is now a minimum sentence of two years for hit and run in Las Vegas. The new law only applies to the criminal side of a hit and run. This article explores your civil options to recover for damages when you have been injured in a hit and run.
Are You the Victim of a Hit and Run Driver?
Car accidents are an awful fact of life, and unfortunately, the odds are that most of us will be in some sort of auto accident in our lifetime. After an accident, most of us pull over to the side of the road, check ourselves and our cars for damage, and exchange information with the other driver. This behavior is drilled into us from the moment we begin to study for a driver’s license, and it is the societal norm. It is also the law in Nevada, as well as the requirement to exchange insurance information, and to render aid to the driver or passengers or pedestrian involved in the accident.
There are always outliers, or in this situation outlaws, that do not follow the rules when they are involved in an auto accident, and in some instances, leave the scene of an accident without stopping and exchanging information. When this occurs, it is extremely important to consult an experienced hit and run accident attorney before discussing your claim with your insurance company.
What to do if you are in an Accident and the Other Driver Leaves the Scene
If possible, you should immediately call the police if you are involved in a hit and run accident, so they can begin an investigation. Gathering and preserving evidence will be important to your claim under your own insurance policy, so if there are any witnesses to the crash, right after calling the police, make sure to get their names and contact information. Taking short statements of what they saw at the time can be very helpful, if you are in good enough condition to do so. Taking photographs of the scene is also very helpful as evidence for later use.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Las Vegas
You will need to report the accident to your insurance company, and provide them with all of the evidence and information you gathered at the scene, as well as a copy of the police report or the number of the police report.
Hopefully you have uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is not required in Nevada, but it is an important type of coverage to have, in case there is an emergency.
We are Ready to Help You
The experienced personal injury attorneys at Naqvi Injury Law can help you figure out how to proceed, and help you recover the maximum amount you are entitled to by law to compensate you for your injuries and damage. Call or email us now for a complimentary consultation, and let us help you get fair compensation for your hit and run injuries.