What to do after a hit and run in West Virginia
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of . Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our .
Drivers involved in a hit-and-run accident in West Virginia can expect their annual full coverage car insurance rates to rise 105% from $1,499 to $3,071, on average, according to 2021 data pulled from Quadrant Information Services. However, premium increases are not the only penalty you may face if you cause a hit-and-run.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Even though it is illegal to leave the scene of an accident resulting in damage to an attended vehicle, hit-and-run accidents occur on a regular basis. The American Automobile Association (AAA) reports that in 2015 alone, there were over 737,000 hit-and-run crashes in the U.S. The frequency of hit-and-run accidents and the resulting payout by insurance companies is why most states, including West Virginia, require liability coverage. Bankrate examined what happens after a hit-and-run accident in West Virginia so you know what to expect.
Hit-and-runs in West Virginia
A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver flees the scene of an accident where any attended vehicle involved in the accident suffers damage. Often, a driver panics and leaves the scene of an accident because they want to avoid being found at fault. Some drivers flee the scene because they do not have a valid license or active insurance. However, West Virginia hit-and-run accidents are considered very serious moving violations.
West Virginia hit-and-run laws
In the state of West Virginia, hit-and-run laws are commonly known as Erin’s Law, which states that “the driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in the injury to or death of any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the crash or as close to the scene as possible and return to and remain at the scene of the crash until he or she has complied with the requirements of §17C-4-3.” WV §17C-4-3 requires drivers to give information and render aid if necessary after an accident.
Failure to comply with this law is considered a major moving violation and can result in several consequences. Depending on the severity of the injuries in the accident, a hit-and-run driver could be criminally charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. Lesser violations could result in a punishment of up to one year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine, with the more severe cases resulting in up to five years in jail and up to a $5,000 fine. The state may also revoke your driver’s license, which will later require a reinstatement fee.
How hit-and-runs impact car insurance rates in West Virginia
Major moving violations also greatly impact your auto insurance coverage. West Virginia operates on a point schedule, in which all traffic violations add points to your driving record. Insurance companies consider these points when quoting your car insurance policy, and as long as you have points accumulated on your record, you will likely pay a higher premium.
Traffic violations and car accidents are the two main reasons for an increase in your car insurance. Although being at fault for a standard car accident will increase your premium, leaving the scene will worsen the situation. Not only will you face criminal charges in West Virginia for leaving the scene of a crash, if you are found at fault for a hit-and-run accident, the average full coverage car insurance premium can increase from $1,499 a year to $3,071 a year. The average increase after a hit-and-run is almost $1,000 more per year than the average full coverage rate after a standard accident, which is around $2,117 annually. Although the annual average auto insurance premium in West Virginia before and after an accident is less than the national average, hit-and-run accidents are costly due to insurance increases and criminal penalties.
| Before a hit-and-run | After a hit-and-run | After a standard accident | |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia average | $1,499 | $3,071 | $2,117 |
| National average | $1,674 | $3,367 | $2,405 |
Three things to do after a hit-and-run in West Virginia
Although you can choose to not leave the scene after an accident, you cannot control whether another driver leaves the scene. However, knowing what steps to take after an accident should help you prepare and protect your finances. Here are three things to do after a hit-and-run in West Virginia:
Check for injuries
Your main objective after any hit-and-run accident is to evaluate yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If there are any other parties involved in the accident, such as a third car or a pedestrian, also evaluate their condition. If anyone is injured, even if the injury seems minor, you should immediately call for emergency medical aid.
Call the police
Once you make sure everyone is safe, call the police to come out to the scene. When the officers arrive, they will take statements, evaluate the scene and create a police report. At that time, the police will also open an investigation to try to locate the hit-and-run driver.
Gather evidence
While waiting for EMS and the police to arrive, try to observe the scene around you. Take photos of your vehicle’s damage, check out the surrounding area for any security cameras or tire marks and get names and numbers for any witnesses. If you saw the license plate or any other identifying factors of the vehicle that hit you and fled the scene, be sure to write that information down to provide to the authorities.
Will insurance cover a hit-and-run?
Whether your car insurance will cover any damages after a hit-and-run accident depends on what type of coverage you have. Collision insurance coverage will help pay for damage to your vehicle or replace it up to your policy limits.
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you can file a liability claim on the at-fault party’s insurance policy. However, suppose the driver is never located. In that case, they are considered an “uninsured” driver, in which case you would need to have uninsured motorist coverage on your car insurance policy to help pay for vehicle damage and injuries. West Virginia does not require motorists to carry uninsured motorist coverage. If you are unsure about what type of coverage or how much you need to fully protect yourself, speak with your insurance agent.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car insurance cost?
Car insurance rates vary based on each individual’s age, location, driving record, insurance history and other related factors. However, the average premium for full coverage in West Virginia is around $1,499 a year, or $125 a month. This rate is slightly lower than the national average of $1,674 per year.
What insurance coverage is mandatory in West Virginia?
West Virginia requires all drivers to carry car insurance. Liability coverage is required in the amount of $25,000 per person up to $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. However, drivers may choose to purchase higher limits than the minimum amount required, and most insurance experts recommend doing so to better protect yourself financially.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incident: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.
