How Long After a Hit and Run Will Police Contact You?
Posted on Saturday, April 15th, 2023 at 9:00 am
Hit-and-run accidents can be emotionally and physically devastating. They can leave injured individuals with unanswered questions and a mountain of medical bills. If a driver has fled the scene after injuring you in an accident, you will understandably want to know how the law enforcement process works. How long will it take for the police to contact you? It depends. While each case is unique, knowing what to expect when the police investigate a hit-and-run accident can give you confidence as you seek compensation for your losses.
What Do Police Do After a Hit and Run?
After a hit-and-run accident, the police take several critical steps to locate the fleeing driver, who should face justice. The investigation begins with collecting evidence from the scene, including the following:
- Photographs
- Witness statements
- Available surveillance footage
- Car parts
- Paint chips
- Skid marks
This evidence can help identify the vehicle involved, often leading to the at-fault driver.
Police will then enter the information they have collected into their database and contact other law enforcement agencies to widen the search. Additionally, they may issue a media release or use social media to ask the public for help identifying the fleeing driver.
How Can an Attorney Help Police with a Hit and Run Investigation?
Hiring a personal injury attorney with experience in hit-and-run cases can significantly improve your case’s outcome. Your attorney can assist the police by investigating the accident independently. This investigation may uncover additional evidence or witnesses that law enforcement might have missed.
Furthermore, a skilled lawyer can also:
- Work with experts, such as accident reconstructionists, to learn more about the circumstances of the collision
- Provide legal advice
- Guide you through the claims process
- Work to protect your rights throughout the investigation
When Should I Expect to Hear from the Police?
The timeline for when you should expect to hear from the police will vary depending on the circumstances of your case. The police may contact you within a few days or weeks if they have identified a suspect or vehicle early in their investigation.
However, hit-and-run investigations can often take months or longer, depending on the availability of leads and the complexity of the case. If you have not heard from the police within a month, your attorney may follow up with them to inquire about the status of the investigation.
How Long Before Police Stop Investigating a Hit and Run?
The amount of time before the police stop investigating a hit-and-run will depend on the severity of the accident, the available evidence, and the resources available within the jurisdiction. The police may close the investigation after several months if they have exhausted all leads without identifying a suspect.
However, you should be aware that the police may reopen the case at any time if new information or evidence emerges. If you have a personal injury attorney representing you, they could continue to monitor the case and advocate for its resolution on your behalf.
What Happens if the Police Do Not Find the Fleeing Driver?
If law enforcement cannot identify the fleeing driver, you may still have options for seeking compensation for your injuries and other losses. For example, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is an optional component of Ohio’s auto insurance policies. If you have this coverage, it could provide benefits for your accident-related losses if the responsible driver remains at large or if they lack insurance. Be sure to preserve evidence, such as:
Photos of the scene- Medical bills and invoices
- Car repair or replacement receipts
- Police report
This evidence will be essential to support your UM claim.
An experienced personal injury attorney can guide you through the process of filing a UM claim. They will negotiate with your insurance company to seek the benefits you deserve.
Contact Us Today
Nobody deserves to face the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident alone. If you have suffered injuries in a hit-and-run accident, the experienced Cincinnati hit-and-run accident attorneys of Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC are here to fight for your rights and interests. Our team understands the challenges you face, and we are committed to helping you understand your legal options while pursuing the compensation you need after the accident. Let us do the complicated legal work for you so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
Call us today at (513) 351-5997 or contact us online for a free case evaluation to learn more about how we can help you.
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