A new report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says fatal hit-and-run crashes in the United States have reached a record high. The trend has been building for years. Since 2009, hit-and-run deaths have climbed steadily, according to the research group. Many of those killed are pedestrians or bicyclists.
For RVers, that raises two practical questions. First, how do you avoid becoming a victim? Second, what happens if the driver who caused the crash simply disappears?
Many victims aren’t inside vehicles
Hit-and-run crashes often involve people outside vehicles. That matters for RVers. Campground life includes plenty of walking. People stroll park roads, walk dogs, ride bikes, or head to bathhouses and camp stores. Many of those trips happen after dark.
Lighting in campgrounds and rural parks can be limited. Drivers may not expect pedestrians. And in some places—especially near boondocking areas—traffic may include vehicles traveling faster than you might expect.
Those conditions can make pedestrians harder to see.
A few simple steps can reduce risk
No one can control another driver’s behavior. But RVers can take steps to make themselves easier to see.
A flashlight or headlamp can help drivers notice you sooner. Reflective clothing or bands also increase visibility. Even reflective dog leashes can help.
Staying alert on campground roads also matters. Some drivers move faster than posted speeds. Golf carts, pickup trucks, and other vehicles may appear suddenly around corners or between rigs.
When possible, use sidewalks or marked paths instead of roadways. And along rural highways, walking on the shoulder after dark carries obvious risks.
If the driver disappears
Even cautious pedestrians and cyclists can’t eliminate every risk. And if a driver flees the scene after an accident, the consequences can become complicated quickly.
When the responsible driver cannot be identified, there may be no one to pursue for damages. Medical bills, lost wages, and other costs may fall on the victim.
That’s where uninsured-motorist or underinsured-motorist coverage—often called UM or UIM—can become important.
These types of coverage are designed to protect you if the other driver has no insurance, carries too little insurance, or cannot be identified in a hit-and-run crash.
In other words, the protection may come from your own policy when the other driver disappears. UIM is an attachment to your vehicle policy, and kicks in if your covered rig is hit by a vanishing motorist.
No, sorry, it won’t help you if you’re clobbered by a hit-and-runner and your rig isn’t involved—say, you’re walking along a roadside when the incident happens. Look closely at those protections we mentioned above.
A quick insurance check may be worthwhile
Many drivers assume their policy already includes this coverage. In reality, coverage varies widely depending on the policy and the state where it was issued.
Some policies include uninsured-motorist protection automatically. Others require it as an optional add-on.
For RV owners, a quick call to an insurance agent may confirm whether the policy includes UM or UIM coverage—and how much protection it provides.
RVers spend plenty of time on unfamiliar roads and in dark campgrounds. A flashlight in your pocket can help drivers see you. And the right insurance coverage may help protect you if one of them doesn’t stop.
RELATED
- Senior’s home on wheels stolen; insurance process leaves him stuck
- Insurance companies rate ‘high-risk’ trucks. Is yours included?
- Lawsuit accuses GEICO of unlawfully raising insurance rates
- Should you cancel your RV’s insurance while storing it?
- Did your RV insurance rates skyrocket? Here’s what to do
- Readers share their RV insurance experiences
RVT1252b
I am old enough to remember the advertising slogan “wear white at night.
When was the last time you heard that? and when was the last time you saw white jackets for sale ? The reflective clothing helps but rarely worn.
Back then it was assumed that you were somewhat responsible for your own safety, now it seems that it is always the drivers fault.
Don’t get me started on bicyclists. I live near Seattle and am forced to go into the city.The bikers feel that the bike lanes mean the whole road. Twice I have tried to make a free right turn, turn signal on, pulled out a bit into the turn,stopped to check for traffic from the left and have had a bike rider come zipping past me on the right.
This is what scares me – making a right hand turn and hitting an unseen bike. My 5th wheel is long. Would I even notice? Would I hear/feel anything? Of course I look and try to proceed slowly and carefully, but in an unfamiliar city intersection, lights and cars and signs everywhere… it can be difficult.
Imagine you’re undocumented, overstayed your visa or otherwise no longer qualify to be within the United States and you’re involved in an accident (regardless of fault). Do you stay at the scene and risk getting separated from your family or flee to defer if not eliminate potential deportation? Not saying all accidents are caused by the undocumented but will say all undocumented are most likely to flee the scene.
Another reason for having a dash camera. It’s your witness.
Plus, police cannot use it or see the video without a search warrant.
My comment doesn’t reflect RVers. Many bicyclists and scooter riders think they own the road and hog it. They don’t watch where they’re riding and do what they want. In Pa our brain dead politicians want you to yield to bicycles with 4-foot “cushion of safety” when passing a bicyclist. When many roads barely have enough room for two vehicles. Especially if you have towing mirrors. Then you have people walking only looking at their cell phones walk in front of you. I almost got two of them. Start licensing them and use the money for adding safe bicycle lanes.
DUI, DWI and distracted driving are probably the biggest reason for these accidents.
Our culture is changing rapidly. These people do not want to take responsibility for their actions, so they just leave the scene.
Also, a lot of people that witness the incident do not want to get involved, knowing it may cost them a lot of their own time and expense.
“It wasn’t me, so I don’t care”.
Indeed Bob, you are correct. Lawbreakers, including illegal aliens usually driving w.o. insurance or a license, are far more likely to run after a hit in lieu of hanging around for a 1 way ticket back to their own country.
Are there a lot of camp-related hit and runs? The article seems to jump from pedestrian incidences to campers; a massive assumption without documented evidence.
Thank you for the news and safety suggestions, Russ and Tina. Ha! At last; a benefit of having dog #3! 😉 We always carry a flashlight or two when walking in campgrounds after dark so that we can see to pick up his poop if he deposits any during his nocturnal walk. Have a great week and safe travels!
Unfortunately, if someone is judgement-proof (meaning they have no meaningful assets to attach) then they might as well flee if able. They’ve got a 50/50 chance of getting away, and even if they are caught, little of consequence will happen to them. In most jurisdictions these days, the system really doesn’t care. The worst that may happen is getting a traffic ticket, which they will likely ignore.