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Are Fatal Hit and Run Crashes Increasing?

Hit and run crashes are responsible for roughly 2,000 deaths in the US each year. These are crashes where motorists hit others with their vehicles and leave the scene. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA) recently released a report that suggests hit and run crashes are increasing.

According to AAA, these accidents are increasing by roughly 7 percent each year. There are other important facts about the increase in hit and run accidents in the U.S.:

• During 2016, there were 2,049 fatal hit and run crashes. Between 2009 and 2016, hit and runs increased by 62 percent.
• There are several possible reasons why hit and run collisions are increasing. Safety advocates blame distracted driving, more vehicles on the road and an increase in cyclists. There is speculation that some drivers may be too distracted by their mobile phones to realize when they have hit cyclists or pedestrians.
• Cyclists and pedestrians account for roughly 65 percent of hit and run deaths. Hit and run crashes account for almost 20 percent of fatal pedestrian and bicycle accidents.
• An average of roughly 682,000 hit and run collisions occur each year.

Hit and run drivers kill or injure Colorado motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists each year. Last month, a hit and run driver fatally struck a motorcyclist at I-25 and I-70 in Denver. When police apprehended the driver, they determined he was under the influence of methamphetamine. Another hit and run crash in Boulder injured multiple cyclists. The driver is facing multiple criminal charges.

What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident

It is important to seek medical attention immediately after an accident. If you are able, then you should quickly write down anything you can remember about the vehicle and other details. You may also be able to recover these details from witnesses. Police can use this information to apprehend the hit and run driver.

You should also speak with an attorney if you or a loved one suffered harm in a hit and run crash. An attorney can help you determine options for recovering compensation if you suffered an injury or loss. The Denver personal injury attorneys at Lampert & Walsh, LLC offer free consultations. To schedule a consultation, call 720-489-5848 or use our online case review form.