Hit-and-run accidents are common, with the PBS Rocky Mountain News reporting that one person is the victim of a hit-and-run accident each day in just metro Denver alone. This, unfortunately, makes the events of Sunday, October 30th, even less surprising. Denver saw two separate hit-and-run accidents that day, one of which took the life of a pedestrian, as reported by the Denver Post.
At around 2 am on Sunday morning, a pedestrian was hit at the intersection of Broadway and 13th Avenue and died as a result. The police were looking for the driver who fled the scene, who was believed to have been driving a white Ford pickup truck. The victim was 28-year-old Karina Pulec, who was a young lawyer. A white truck was found abandoned not far from the accident, with the engine still running and the keys in the ignition. No arrests have been made in this case yet as law enforcement is still tracking down the driver.
The fatal accident happened shortly after another hit-and-run accident at Larimer Street and 19th Avenue. In that accident, the victim survived and was taken to a local hospital. Police are still looking for the driver, who was reportedly driving a white sports utility vehicle.
What to do after a hit-and-run
With these types of accidents on the rise, you need to know what to do if you’re the victim of or see a hit-and-run accident.
Do:
- Get the license plate number if possible and keep it in a safe place
- Contact the police and report exactly what happened as soon as you can
- Take down the contact information of any witnesses or ask someone else to do it for you
- Take photos of your injuries and your damaged property for evidence
- Get medical assistance
- Report the incident to your insurance company
Don’t:
- Block traffic unnecessarily while you wait for police and first responders, as you could end up causing another accident
- Leave the scene and try to confront the fleeing driver. You’re then also leaving the scene of an accident, which could make police question your story. Also, the other driver could be dangerous.
After an accident, you might be tempted to “walk off” any discomfort or wait to see if it goes away, but injuries from accidents can present themselves later. Whiplash, for example, might show up as late as 24 hours after the incident, says the Mayo Clinic. Delaying medical care can cost you. Your recovery time may be longer, and you could experience complications. When you try to make a claim for your medical expenses and pain later, the fact that you did not get treatment right away could be used against you.
If you have been the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you may be able to receive damages for your losses, pain and suffering under state law. Speak to an experienced auto attorney today about your case to protect all of your rights from the start.
