Hit and run accidents often have significant consequences, and often lead to fatality. Unfortunately, a recent analysis identifies that Nevada comes in fourth across the country for fatal hit and run accidents. That’s according to results captured and analyzed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Nevada had 32 hit and run crashes in 2016 that ultimately involve at least one death. According to AAA, that was the highest in the last 10 years between the 10 years. Of 2006 to 2016, there were more than 240 hit and run accidents involving at least one fatality. The states with the highest rate of fatal hit and run accidents per capita were New Mexico, Louisiana, and Florida.
Nationally, hit and run accidents led to more than 2,000 deaths in 2016. Unfortunately, a vast majority of hit and run fatalities were bicyclists and pedestrians who may have less opportunity to protect themselves from an oncoming accident where as someone inside a vehicle has the benefit of a seatbelt and other protections such as air bags. A bicyclist or pedestrian has a much higher risk of being struck and thrown into traffic, ultimately suffering devastating consequences. A person who is seriously hurt in an accident like this may not be able to ever recover. Many people are killed at the seen of the incident.
Any hit and run accident carries a high cost for the victim. A victim might be pushed into a coma immediately and have a lot of trouble remembering information that could be used to identify the person who hit them. When evidence cannot be gathered in order to show who was responsible, a person hit may have to rely on their own options for recovery. The medical bills linked to a hit and run are often catastrophic because of the severe injuries sustained in the accident; it can quickly become overwhelming for a victim to figure out what to do. Thankfully, hiring the right hit and run lawyer can make this difficult process a little easier. A hit and run accident victim must file a legal claim if the responsible party can be identified.