A car crash is stressful enough, but when you watch the other driver flee the scene, it adds a whole new level of frustration. If you find yourself in such a situation, you might feel like there is nothing you can do. Learning about your legal options for recovery can help you address this difficult situation.
How Connecticut defines a hit-and-run
Per state law, drivers involved in an accident must stop at the scene, provide their information and offer reasonable assistance to any injured person or the owner of any damaged property. When a driver fails to meet these obligations and leaves the scene, they commit what the state refers to as “evading responsibility.”
These requirements apply whether the crash involves property damage, personal injury or a fatality. The law exists to protect you as an accident victim and to hold negligent motorists accountable for their actions.
What your insurance options are
When the other party’s identity remains unknown, your own insurance policy usually serves as your safety net. Connecticut requires drivers to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. However, this primarily applies to bodily injuries.
To cover the damage to your car, you will typically need to have collision coverage. While it is not required by state law, this coverage can be essential for car repairs in cases where there is no other driver to bill.
In order to access these benefits, most insurance policies require you to file a police report as soon as possible, often within 24 hours of the accident. Having an official record is usually necessary to prove that the damage was caused by a hit-and-run motorists.
What you can do if the authorities identify the driver
Witness statements, surveillance footage or police investigations may sometimes help identify hit-and-run drivers. When this happens, additional legal options may become available beyond your insurance claim.
A personal injury lawsuit allows you to seek compensation directly from the responsible party, and this civil action is separate from any criminal charges the state may pursue against the responsible party for fleeing the scene.
It is important to know that Connecticut’s statute of limitations generally provides you with two years from the date you discover the driver’s identity to file your case. However, there is a strict outer limit that prevents most claims from being filed more than three years after the date of the crash, even if the driver is identified later.
If you choose to pursue this route, an attorney helps you address tasks such as investigating the scene of the crash and gathering evidence to support your claim. They can also communicate with insurers on your behalf.
