You are probably familiar with hit-and-run accidents, where one driver strikes another vehicle and then takes off without stopping. But you may not have heard of a miss-and-run car accident. In a “miss-and-run,” one driver causes another vehicle to crash without actually striking it and then drives away unscathed. If you were hurt in a miss-and-run accident, it is especially important that you reach out to a qualified attorney quickly. Identifying the driver responsible for the crash is ideal – the sooner your attorney can begin the search, the more likely it is that the driver will be identified.
How do Miss-and-Run Accidents Happen?
Miss-and-run accidents are often the result of a negligent driver failing to notice another vehicle and forcing them off the road or into another lane, causing a collision. Here are some common ways miss-and-run accidents occur:
- Reckless Lane Changes – A careless driver may change lanes without checking his blind spot. The vehicle that was already in that lane swerves off the road and crashes to avoid being side-swiped.
- Wrong-Way Driving – Vehicles going the correct way may veer into other lanes and crash into each other or swerve off the road in an effort to avoid the wrong-way driver.
- Road Rage – In this case, the miss-and-run is intentional. An aggressive driver may refuse to let a vehicle merge onto the highway, or purposely enter another vehicle’s lane to force them off the road.
Two Ways to Seek Compensation After a “Miss-and-Run”
Getting compensation after a miss-and-run can be difficult. Under Wisconsin state law, there are three stringent requirements you must fulfill to recover damages after a miss-and-run with an unidentified driver. First, you must file a police report within 72 hours of the accident. Second, a third-party witness that was not involved in the crash must corroborate your report. Third, you must file a sworn statement with the insurance company within 30 days. It is highly advisable that you allow an experienced attorney to help with this, as missing a deadline or losing track of a witness can destroy your claim.
Of course, if the driver responsible for the crash can be located, you can file a claim against him directly. An attorney may be able to take steps to identify the other driver, such as by locating witnesses, checking nearby traffic cameras, or even investigating the scene of the crash.
Call a Green Bay Area Car Accident Attorney
If you have been hurt in a miss-and-run accident, you need an experienced Green Bay Car Accident Attorney to represent you. Recovering compensation after a miss-and-run can be tricky, but the Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd. may be able to help. Timing is crucial in these claims. Witnesses often make or break these cases, so you will want a qualified attorney to find and interview them while their memory is fresh. There may also be physical evidence at the crash scene that could help identify the other driver – even if he did not strike your vehicle, he may have struck a nearby object such as a fence or pole or left tire tracks. Having a qualified attorney investigate quickly gives you the best chance at recovering compensation. Call 920-739-7366 today to schedule your free consultation.
Sources:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/632/iv/32/2/bh/1
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/632/iv/32