If you drive for many years, and you avoid car accidents, that probably means you’re a skilled driver. You likely drive defensively, which is what the teacher will tell you to do in any driving instructional course. However, it also probably means you’re a bit lucky.

Realistically, you can get in a car accident whenever you drive, even if you follow all traffic laws. That’s because, even if you obey all the rules, you might encounter someone who doesn’t take driving seriously. 

If you’re in an accident, you would hope the other driver stays at the scene. They might drive off afterward without stopping, though.  

Locating a personal injury lawyer following a hit-and-run car crash becomes crucial. You will likely want to sue the other driver, assuming the police track them down eventually. 

You might wonder why anyone would flee the scene after causing an accident, though. Presumably, they know that doing so constitutes a felony in all 50 states. 

Let’s discuss some reasons why hit-and-run accidents happen right now.

You Might Have a Young, Inexperienced Driver

If another driver hits your vehicle and then takes off without waiting for the police, then maybe that’s because you have a young, inexperienced driver. Perhaps they only got their license a couple of months before.

They may feel embarrassed if they caused a crash. They might fear what their parents will say when they find out. Even if you know they shouldn’t leave the scene, they may do so anyway for these reasons. 

Maybe the Other Motorist Consumed Alcohol Before Driving

You might also have a situation where the other driver consumed alcohol before driving. Maybe they went to a bar and had a few beers, or perhaps they drank at home or at a friend’s house.

This driver knows that if the police arrive on the scene and give them a breathalyzer, then they will fail it. The cops might arrest them, and they will go to jail.

They probably fear the consequences if this happens. They may decide to flee the scene, thinking they can get away if you didn’t get a good look at the vehicle or driver. 

Perhaps They Used Some Other Illegal Drug

Maybe the other motorist used some other illegal drug before driving. In such situations, there’s often not a reliable test the police can administer that can prove conclusively this driver ingested or otherwise used an illegal drug. If they seem high, though, the police will note that. 

The driver might think they can sober up by the time the cops track them down. It’s ill advised, but they may flee, hoping to get the drug and its traces out of their system before they have to face what they did.  

They Might Panic at That Moment

A driver that hits your car might simply panic and flee the scene. Whether they have a lot of driving experience or not, if it’s clear that their action caused the accident, that’s not a good feeling.

They might not want to face you and the police. They know that they’ll get disapproving looks and comments if they made a serious traffic error. Rather than going through that, they may feel like they can get away and not have to face any consequences. 

They Might Not Have Insurance

The other driver might not have insurance. Maybe they had a policy at some point, but they let it lapse. Perhaps they did so because they can’t afford to renew the policy. Maybe they lost their job or their boss cut their hours.

In other instances, the other driver may simply not care about the laws governing their driving behavior. Even if they know that state law mandates they have a car insurance policy worth a certain amount, they might feel like they’re an exception, and they don’t have to purchase one. 

They May Have a Suspended License

A driver who flees the scene may also have a suspended license. Maybe they have multiple former DUI arrests. The judge took their license, but they still keep driving.

Such individuals represent a public menace. If the police catch them, they’re definitely looking at jail time. In the face of such a possibility, they may try to get away from the accident scene, whatever the cost. 

Any of these situations can cause a hit-and-run scenario. When the police arrive, you must give them any details about the other car and driver that you can remember.