Posted on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 at 9:00 am
Few things feel more traumatic or violating than falling victim to a hit-and-run accident. One moment, you’re driving along, minding your own business, and the next, you find yourself injured, your car damaged, and the at-fault driver speeding off into the distance. Understandably, one of the first questions hit-and-run victims ask is, “How long will it take the police to catch the person who did this to me?” and “How long does a hit and run investigation take?” At London Harker Injury Law, our Provo and Sandy car accident lawyers understand how desperate you feel for answers and accountability after a hit-and-run crash.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident: A Serious Crime
First, it’s essential to understand that leaving/fleeing the scene of an accident is much more than just a traffic violation – it’s a criminal offense in Utah. State law requires drivers involved in a collision to stop their vehicle at the scene of the auto accident immediately, or as close as possible, and remain there until they have fulfilled certain duties.
Those duties include:
- Providing their name, address, and motor vehicle registration number to the other driver(s) involved
- Showing their driver’s license to the other driver(s) involved
- Rendering “reasonable assistance” to anyone injured in the accident, such as calling for an ambulance or helping them get medical treatment
In other words, the law commands drivers to take responsibility, share information, and help the injured after a crash. Driving away from an accident scene without stopping directly violates that law and enables you to be sued for various criminal charges.
Depending on the severity of the crash, hit-and-run drivers face harsh potential penalties in Utah, including driver’s license suspension, hefty fines, and even substantial jail time for repeat offenders or those who cause serious injuries.
Will Police Investigate a Minor Hit and Run?
One common misconception about hit-and-run cases is that the police will only get involved if the accident caused significant property damage or bodily injuries. That’s not true. Police departments in Utah take all hit-and-run incidents seriously, regardless of how “minor” they may seem.
If you call 911 to report a hit-and-run, even if you weren’t hurt, dispatchers will send an officer out to document the accident and open an investigation. Never feel like your hit-and-run crash isn’t significant enough to report. Any fleeing driver must be held accountable.
How Do Police Find Hit-and-Run Drivers?
Once an officer takes your hit-and-run accident report, a multi-pronged investigation begins. Depending on the resources of your local police department, a variety of tools and techniques may be used to identify and track down the hit-and-run driver, such as:
Gathering Witness Statements
Police officers will speak with you and anyone else who saw the crash to get a description of the fleeing driver and vehicle. Details like the car’s make, model, color, license plate number (even partial), and damage can help lead police to the perpetrator.
Reviewing Surveillance Footage
Officers will work to obtain any surveillance camera video that may have captured the crash. Many businesses and homes now have doorbell cameras or other security systems that could provide valuable clues.
Canvassing the Area
Police often return to the hit-and-run scene and canvass the surrounding area for additional witnesses or evidence. They may also visit local auto body shops to inquire about damaged vehicles matching the description of the hit-and-run driver’s car.
Using Accident Reconstruction
In complex hit-and-run cases, police accident reconstruction specialists use physical evidence from the scene, such as skid marks, debris, and vehicle damage, to piece together how the crash occurred and identify the fleeing vehicle.
Checking Partial Plates
Even a partial license plate number can help police narrow their search for the hit-and-run vehicle. They can cross-reference partial plates with the car’s make, model, and color to create a shortlist of potential matches registered in the area.
Leveraging Media
In certain high-profile hit-and-run cases, police may use social and traditional media to release surveillance images of the fleeing vehicle and appeal to the public for information.
The surest way for police to identify a hit-and-run driver is for the perpetrator’s vehicle to sustain significant damage in the crash. A hit-and-run driver can only hide a badly damaged car for so long before it draws suspicion.
How Long After a Hit and Run Will Police Contact You?
Hit-and-run cases tend to take longer for police to investigate and solve than standard traffic accidents. This is because of the extra legwork involved in tracking down the fleeing driver. While some departments may have a specialized hit-and-run investigation unit, others must juggle these cases alongside the rest of their workload.
If investigators have strong leads, like clear surveillance footage of the driver and vehicle, they may be able to identify and arrest the perpetrator within a few days. But in many cases, hit-and-run investigations can stretch on for multiple weeks or even months.
Unfortunately, a percentage of hit-and-run crashes go unsolved because there simply isn’t enough evidence for police to go on. The less populated the area where the crash occurred, the lower the chances that helpful surveillance video or witnesses exist.
What to Do If You’re the Victim of a Utah Hit and Run
If a reckless driver had hit you and fled the scene, protect your health, rights, and potential legal claim. For instance, here are the proactive steps to take in the aftermath of a hit-and-run in Utah:
Call 911
Report the accident to the police immediately so responding officers can begin their official investigation and create an accident report. Tell them you need medical attention if you’re injured.
Document Everything
Write down every detail you can remember about the fleeing driver and vehicle, including the direction they drove off. Take photos of the damage to your vehicle and any visible injuries. If witnesses are willing to talk, get their contact information.
Seek Medical Care
Even if you feel okay after a hit and run, get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Some crash injuries take days to manifest symptoms. Prompt medical care will create official records linking your injuries to the accident. Don’t forget to get documentation for your medical bills and expenses.
Call a Hit-and-Run Attorney
Bring in an experienced hit-and-run lawyer who can monitor the police investigation and gather evidence to build your case. They can also deal with the insurance company and fight for the compensation you’re owed.
Notify Your Insurance Company
You may need to file a claim with your auto insurance provider if the police can’t find the hit-and-run driver. An attorney can handle the process of filing an uninsured motorist claim on your behalf.
Helping You Get Justice After a Hit and Run
At London Harker Injury Law, we know the immense physical, emotional, and financial toll that hit-and-run accidents take on injured Utahns and their families. When the driver refuses to take responsibility, you need an attorney who will demand accountability on your behalf.
Don’t let a negligent hit-and-run driver get away with the trauma they’ve inflicted on you. Contact London Harker Injury Law today by calling 77CARCRASH or completing our online form for a free consultation and case review. Our law firm is ready to stand up and fight for you.
