Being involved in a car accident, motorcycle accident, or pedestrian accident can change your life forever. The injuries sustained in these accidents can affect your ability to work, your ability to care for your children, and even your ability to care for yourself. Even worse is when the driver responsible tries to avoid accountability by fleeing the scene. While the criminal justice system sometimes holds these irresponsible drivers responsible, it is also important that they be held personally accountable to those they hurt or kill.
Woman Accused of Hit and Run is Jailed
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested a woman linked to a deadly pedestrian hit and run. She stands accused of leaving the scene of a crash that killed a man who was struck by a motor vehicle while he was pushing his granddaughter in a stroller on the shoulder of Rainbow Boulevard. Apparently the woman entered the United States back in 2006 on a non-immigrant visa that expired years ago. She had previously turned herself in to police after admitting through a lawyer that she was the driver involved in the accident, but she was allowed to bond out of jail at that time. ICE detains illegal immigrants who are accused of committing crimes and who present a danger to the community. While that is a solution to the illegal immigration issue, and the criminal charges may lead to punishment for the violation of criminal laws, none of these remedies will do anything to help the family of the grandfather this woman is alleged to have killed.
Suing Hit and Run Drivers Involves Unique Challenges
While this woman turned herself in, most hit and run driver’s don’t. And unfortunately they often run because they do not have car insurance or other resources to pay for their irresponsible actions. But that is not always the case. Some hit and run drivers flee because they have been drinking and they want to avoid being arrested for drunk driving. Others run because they have other legal issues (like the immigration issues this woman has) and they want to avoid the police all together. In these cases, it is possible to recover from drivers for the harm that they have caused, but one has to find the driver first. If you are involved in such an accident, there are things that can be done to find them. It is extremely important to collect information about the hit and run driver’s license number and a description of their vehicle. Do not chase after the driver’s vehicle to get this information, but do the best you can at the scene. Also, get contact information for any witnesses. We can use this information to interview them later. Finally, take note of any area businesses. These businesses may have surveillance cameras and if you get us involved in your case fast enough, we may be able to get copies of that video footage from the business in order to identify the driver. You should also call the police, as in serious accidents they may find additional evidence.
In Some Cases You May be Able to Recover Punitive Damages
In most lawsuits the injured parties are fighting to recover what are called compensatory damages. These are damages designed to compensate you for your losses like medical costs or pain and suffering. However, in some auto accidents, including some hit and runs, you may be able to recover punitive damages. These are greater damages, on top of the compensatory damages, that are designed to deter and punish particularly bad behavior. Nevada statute allows the recovery of these damages against drunk drivers under certain circumstances. So if the hit and run driver who hurt you or your loved one fled the scene because he or she was drunk or otherwise intoxicated, you may be able to receive punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages.
Call Naqvi Injury Law
When you are injured in a traffic accident, you need a lawyer who is willing to fight for you. That is why you should call the Las Vegas car accident attorneys at Naqvi Injury Law. We have helped many people obtain compensation, medical care, and rehabilitation services for injuries caused by other drivers’ negligence. Call us today, we can schedule a free consultation.