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Hit-and-Run Accidents Can Hit Insured Drivers by Surprise:Basic insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover expenses that become the insured victim’s responsibility
Even though the total number of non-fatal crashes declined steadily from 6.3 million to 5.9 million from 2003 to 2006, the ratio of hit-and-run accidents remained unchanged, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) . During that four-year period, one of every 8 accidents nationwide was a hit-and-run.
But there were significant regional variations. For example, with more than one million hit-and-run crashes, the South had nearly three times as many hit-and-run incidents as the Northeast (366,000) and nearly twice as many as the West (650,000), despite California having one of the highest rates of hit-and-run accidents in the nation. The Midwest ranked second nationwide with more than 835,000 reported hit-and-run incidents.
“Many drivers are unprepared for the consequences of becoming the victim of a hit-and-run crash when the other driver cannot be identified,” said Steve Cox, Vice President of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.“ Instead of the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy covering the victim’s costs for medical expenses, vehicle repairs and a replacement rental car, it ends up being the victim’s responsibility to pay the deductible, as well as all other expenses.”
According to the Insurance Information Institute, a non-profit consumer education organization, consumers can protect themselves from the financial consequences of a hit-and-run accident. For example, not being able to identify the other driver is the same as being involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. But, uninsured motorist coverage, which pays for injury and damages caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, is not obligatory in every state. Therefore, some insured drivers are not covered. Uninsured motorist coverage can easily be added to an auto insurance policy.
In addition, some auto insurance companies do not automatically cover the cost of a temporary replacement rental car while a car is being repaired, even if it was caused by a hit-and-run driver. Most cars are in a repair shop for two weeks after an accident. Considering that the average daily rate for a rental car is $50, it can end up costing more for a one-day rental car than for one full-year of replacement rental car coverage, which is only a couple of dollars a month.
According to the data from the NHTSA, 80 percent of hit-and-run accidents cause vehicle damage only. Therefore, the victim’s largest expenses usually are for repairs and a replacement rental car.
To help insured drivers become better prepared for any type of motor vehicle accident, a Web site at www.wiserdrivers.com has been developed with information from the Insurance Information Institute and Council of Better Business Bureaus, both non-profit organizations. In addition to tips, the Web site encourages drivers to review their auto insurance policy annually to make sure they have adequate coverage for various types of crashes – those that are their fault, those that are not their fault, and hit-and-run.
The Council of Better Business Bureaus agrees. “Comparison shopping for price is important, but even more importantly, consumers need to ensure they have appropriate coverage, because a few dollars saved in the short run can cost consumers a fortune in the end,” said Cox.
(Source: http://us.bbb.org, Better Business Bureau website)
HIT AND RUN equals FAILING TO PERFORM DUTIES OF A DRIVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT
Oregon law requires a person involved in any type of a crash to fulfill certain responsibilities before leaving the scene of a crash. Leaving the scene of a crash before following the law requirements could subject that person to being charged with Failing to Perform the duties of a driver involved in an accident (Hit and Run).
Here are the requirements if you should ever find yourself involved in a crash:
- You must stop and remain on the scene until information is exchanged
- Name, address, and registration of your vehicle must be provided
- Name and addresses of any passengers must be exchanged
- Proof of driving privileges must be exchanged
If the crash involves a vehicle that is unattended you must:
- Try and locate the owner of the unattended vehicle or property
- If none can be located, driver must leave in a note containing name, address, contact information, and a brief statement in a conspicuous place on the vehicle or property.
Police may be called at any crash to verify information or that the proper, legal procedure is followed in the event of a crash or accident. |
