Facts About Hit-and-Run Accidents

The only thing more aggravating than getting in an accident that was not your fault is seeing the motorist depart the scene, which is not uncommon. According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study, more than one hit-and-run collision occurs on America's roads every minute. Get legal consultation immediately if you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident.

Fatal hit-and-runs are growing increasingly common, as are the number of people killed due to them. According to some analysts, fatal hit-and-runs increased from 1,342 in 2010 to 1,939 in 2019 (the most recent available statistics) after peaking at 2,012 in 2016. Deaths climbed 44% within the same period, from 1,393 to 2,005.

Hit-and-run accidents happen when at least one person involved in the crash flees the site before offering assistance or information to others. While most hit-and-runs involve two moving vehicles, they can also involve pedestrians, bicyclists, motorbikes, parked cars, and other property.

Due to the delays or utter absence of medical attention for victims, hit-and-runs are major issues and can increase the cost of your medical care and the severity of outcomes. These accidents can be stressful for you and your loved ones, and you may be looking for remediation and insurance assistance. If this has happened to you, it is important to get the assistance of an experienced hit-and-run lawyer.

Hit-and-run stats

Here are the findings of a nationwide AAA study on the frequency and severity of hit-and-runs.

• Hit-and-runs caused more than 5% of road deaths.
• Every year, there is an average increase of 7.2%.
• Fleeing drivers were responsible for 20% of pedestrian deaths.
• Pedestrians and bikers made up 68% of those killed in hit-and-run accidents.
• In 2015, there were 737,100 hit-and-run accidents.
• In 2016, 2,049 persons were killed in hit-and-run accidents, a 60% increase from 2009.

In context, that equates to about six deaths each day and more than one hit-and-run every minute on US highways.

How many hit-and-runs are solved?

Since hit-and-run statistics fluctuate from state to state, it is hard to establish how many hits-and-runs are solved in the United States each year. One research in England and Wales discovered that approximately 90% of these accidents go unresolved; it is not a stretch to believe that the same is true in the United States.

If you were in a hit-and-run collision, you might have a higher chance of recovering reimbursement from your uninsured motorist policy. For more information regarding this, speak to a hit-and-run attorney.