Anyone on the end of a hit-and-run accident knows what a dejected feeling it is to be left to fend for yourself and your damaged vehicle as the perpetrator speeds away. Such events can make you feel desperate, hopeless, angry, and so many other understandable emotions. As the driver speeds away, you may believe that there goes your chance of receiving any compensation related to your injuries from the hit-and-run car accident. Luckily, however, pursuing compensation, even in these sorts of circumstances, is not impossible.

You may also be pleased to learn that the at-fault driver is not the only possible source of compensation that you can pursue. If you have been injured in a hit-and-run car accident, do not hesitate to reach out to a knowledgeable attorney who will ensure your rights are protected and that you can pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.

Investigating the Particulars Surrounding a Hit-and-Run Accident

Hit-and-run perpetrators often foolishly think that speeding away will absolve them of any responsibility for their crime. They frequently believe that by speeding away, their identity can remain unknown. This is markedly untrue. Often, there are many options for discovering a hit-and-run perpetrator. These options can include the following:

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 42,915 people perished in car accidents in 2021 alone. If the past has taught us anything, it is that accidents can happen at any time and for any reason. This is especially true when it comes to driving. Driving is a privilege and a necessary means of travel for millions of Americans. Unfortunately, the more often you drive, the higher the chances you will someday be in a car accident.

Being injured in a car accident can be a terrifying experience. It can also be an equally angering experience, especially if the accident was due to someone else's negligence. This blog will look at what you should do and not do if you are injured in a car accident. At the outset, it is essential to note that if you have been in a car accident, you should strongly consider meeting with an experienced car accident attorney who will work to ensure your rights are preserved while also pursuing the compensation you may be entitled to.

What to Do in the Aftermath of a Car Accident

You are driving down the road when suddenly you are broadsided by another vehicle. As your car skids to a halt, you are in shock. In these moments, you may not be able to think clearly. While you may be scared, it is essential that you do not flee the scene, as this is against the law in the state of Illinois. If you can, call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. Even if you or anyone else is not injured, you should still call 9-1-1 since a police report will be vital evidence when it comes time to establish fault in a possible lawsuit. The police report will also note important information, such as the road conditions at the time of the accident and any witnesses' names and contact information.

Pedestrian accidents can happen any day of the year, as can drunk driving crashes. However, both of these horrifying types of auto accidents tend to increase in frequency on the days around Halloween. Many children love trick-or-treating, and many parents love to watch their children run around in a costume, collecting candy from neighbors. However, it is critical that parents be particularly wary of drivers on this holiday. Halloween invites dangerous driving practices - as well as unsafe pedestrian habits. Excited children are prone to abruptly running across the road. Likewise, adults who are uninterested in trick-or-treating tend to attend parties and events where drinking is a favorite activity. The combination of too many intoxicated drivers and too many children running about in a crowd can be incredibly deadly. Children are generally at more risk than adults for Halloween auto accidents. If your child is injured by a careless driver this Halloween, you may be able to recover significant compensation on their behalf. 

Drunk Driving and Halloween

Not all Halloween festivities are meant to be family-friendly. Many adults enjoy dressing up in a fun costume and going out just as much as many children do. Unfortunately, some adults may forget that someone in their group should go as a “designated driver.” Choosing to drink and drive around Halloween is particularly careless - adults know that around this time, children are out in droves. Yet, Halloween remains one of the biggest days of the year for drunk driving. 

Pedestrian Accidents and Trick-or-Treating

Parents are often worried about poisoned Halloween candy. While it is incredibly unlikely that your child’s trick-or-treat basket will contain anything but sugar in abundance, it is likely that they will encounter at least one dangerous driver. Children are among the most common victims of negligent drivers around Halloween. 

Being left injured on the side of the road with a disabled vehicle while the at-fault driver speeds away can induce feelings of hopelessness in anyone. If the driver who would be liable for the accident has disappeared, pursuing compensation from them may seem impossible, but in many cases, it actually is. 

Hit-and-run car accidents involving personal injury are troubling to most police departments, and with the help of attorneys, they discover the identity of the at-fault driver more often than one might think. Additionally, the liable driver is not the only potential source of compensation. It would be wise to contact an attorney as soon as you are able to after a hit-and-run accident so that a prompt investigation can begin while evidence is more likely to be available at the location of the accident and from other sources. 

Investigating a Hit-and-Run Accident

Hit-and-run drivers often assume that if they were not seen by the person they hit, it is not likely that their identity will be revealed so that they can be held responsible. This is frequently an errant line of thinking. Other options for discovering the identity of a hit-and-run driver include: 

Almost all motor vehicle accidents are a result of someone’s negligence. In most cases, it is the negligence of one of the drivers involved. However, that is not always the case. The state of Illinois is notorious for its poorly maintained and dangerous roadways. The hazards found on these roads put those occupying the road at risk of being involved in a collision, including drivers, passengers, and workers. If you or someone you love has sustained injuries due to an accident caused by road hazards, you may be interested in filing a personal injury claim and holding the appropriate parties responsible.

What Kind of Hazards Can Lead to Dangerous Road Conditions?

Vehicle accidents due to road conditions often result from common issues, some of which include:

• Construction equipment or materials
• Potholes
• Uneven roadways
• Fallen trees or branches
• Cargo or debris that fell off a vehicle
• Broken traffic lights
• Poor road design

Streets in disrepair may feature hazards such as uneven lanes and narrow shoulders. Hazards of this nature can lead to drivers losing control of their vehicle and causing an accident, putting themselves and others sharing the road at risk of injury or even death.