[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, first report the case to the police, and the rescue fund will advance the payment, then seek compensation from the perpetrator. If the perpetrator's vehicle flees the scene after a traffic accident, the victim shall immediately report the case to the police, and the traffic management department of the public security organ shall investigate and locate the perpetrator, and issue relevant documents on the identification of road traffic accidents. If the rescue costs exceed the liability limit of compulsory motor vehicle insurance, or the victim has not participated in compulsory motor vehicle insurance, or the perpetrator flees the scene, the social rescue fund for road traffic accidents shall advance part or all of the rescue costs. The rescue fund has the right to recover the compensation from the responsible party for the accident. After identifying the perpetrator, the insurance company that underwrites compulsory motor vehicle insurance shall compensate within the liability limit, and the insufficient part shall be borne by the perpetrator in accordance with the liability ratio; if the perpetrator's vehicle is insured with commercial third-party liability insurance, the insurance company shall compensate within the scope of insurance liability. Fleeing the scene constitutes an aggravating circumstance, and criminal responsibility shall be investigated according to law if it constitutes a crime, but civil compensation liability shall not be exempted due to fleeing the scene.
I. Problem background and typical scenarios
After a pedestrian or cyclist is hit by a vehicle, the vehicle involved in the accident quickly flees the scene. The victim is injured and hospitalized, but there's no one to compensate them at the moment. The rescue costs and subsequent treatment fees become a heavy burden. Some people worry that if the perpetrator can't be found, there's no way to get compensation. Although traffic accident fleeing the scene increases the difficulty of seeking justice, the law has designed systems such as the relief fund advance payment and compulsory insurance compensation to provide basic protection for victims.
II. Key points of dispute
First, the scope of advance payment and recovery of the rescue fund. Second, whether the compulsory auto insurance will compensate in the case of a hit-and-run. Third, the handling path when the perpetrator is unknown or unable to compensate. Fourth, the choice between criminal incidental civil litigation and separate civil litigation.
III. Professional analysis by Henglue Lawyers
The first layer, alarm and investigation: The victim should report the case to the police as soon as possible, providing as much information as possible about the vehicle's characteristics, license plate, time and location of the accident, and photos of the scene, to assist the public security organ in investigating and locating the perpetrator. The determination of the accident responsibility and the division of liabilities are the basis for subsequent claims. The second layer, advance payment from the rescue fund: If the rescue costs exceed the liability limit of compulsory insurance, or if the driver has not purchased compulsory insurance or fled the scene after the accident, the Social Rescue Fund for Road Traffic Accidents will advance part or all of the rescue costs, and then seek compensation from the responsible party. This buys the victim valuable time for treatment. The third layer, insurance compensation: Compulsory insurance will compensate for the third-party's personal injury and death within the liability limit according to law, and the escape of the driver does not affect the insurance's compensation to the victim. The excess part will be borne by the responsible party according to the liability ratio, and the insured who has purchased commercial third-party liability insurance will be compensated within the insurance scope. The fourth layer, criminal and civil litigation: If the escape constitutes a crime, the victim can file a civil suit in criminal proceedings or initiate a separate civil lawsuit for material losses. Each approach has its own advantages. Civil suits in criminal proceedings are usually more efficient, while separate civil litigation is more flexible in terms of compensation scope and enforcement. Henglue advises that you should immediately fix evidence such as the accident determination letter, hospitalization records, expense receipts, and loss of income certificates, apply for advance payment from the rescue fund in a timely manner, and claim insurance compensation from the insurance company to avoid delaying treatment and claims due to waiting for the investigation results.
IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis
The first step is to report the accident to the police immediately and assist in the investigation to obtain relevant documents for accident determination. The second step is to apply for advance payment of rescue costs from the Road Traffic Accident Social Aid Fund to ensure timely treatment. The third step is to claim compensation from the insurer of the at-fault vehicle's compulsory motor vehicle liability insurance within the liability limit, and to claim compensation from the insurer of the commercial insurance if applicable. The fourth step is to file a civil lawsuit against the at-fault party after identifying them, and to initiate a concurrent civil action or a separate lawsuit if the at-fault party constitutes a crime. Main legal basis: Articles 75 and 76 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China (amended in 2011 and implemented on May 1, 2011), and Articles 1,213 and 1,216 of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China (implemented on January 1, 2021). Specific application shall be subject to the currently effective provisions.
5. Henglu Law Firm's Reminder
Three key points for claiming compensation in cases of hit-and-run accidents: First, report the accident to the police for investigation and apply for the rescue fund to advance the rescue fees; Second, compulsory insurance should still pay compensation within the liability limit; Third, the escape of the driver does not exempt him from civil liability, and he can initiate civil litigation or bring a civil action in conjunction with the criminal case. In cases involving traffic accidents and personal injuries, the victim can file a lawsuit through the court system.Personal injury and medical disputesFor those who receive a comprehensive service package, if the case involves criminal responsibility for traffic accidents, they can seek assistance from related departments.Criminal defenseFor cases involving the recovery and enforcement of compensation payments, you may refer to the following documents for reference:Creditor's rights and debts, and enforcementFor any questions or difficult situations, please feel free to consult us.Special servicesTeam.
VI. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who should I ask for compensation in the case of a hit-and-run accident?
First, the compulsory insurance shall compensate within the liability limit, and the insufficient part shall be borne by the perpetrator in accordance with the proportion of liability; if the perpetrator is unknown, the applicant may apply for the rescue fund to advance the rescue expenses, and then seek compensation after the perpetrator is identified.
Q2: What is a rescue fund?
The Social Relief Fund for Road Traffic Accidents may advance the rescue expenses first, which applies to situations such as the rescue expenses exceeding the limits of compulsory insurance, failure to participate in compulsory insurance, or hit-and-run accidents. After the advance payment, the fund has the right to recover the expenses from the responsible parties.
Q3: Does compulsory motor vehicle liability insurance cover the compensation?
I'm sorry. Compulsory Motor Third Party Liability Insurance compensates for the personal injury or death of third parties within the liability limit according to law. Hit-and-run does not affect the compensation of the victims by Compulsory Motor Third Party Liability Insurance, and the victim can claim compensation from the insurance company in time.
Q4: What should I do if I can't find the person responsible for the accident?
You can apply for the rescue fund to advance the rescue costs, and continue the investigation through the public security organ; after identifying the perpetrator, you can file a civil lawsuit to claim various compensations.
Q5: Can I file a civil lawsuit as a supplementary action?
Yes. If the hit-and-run constitutes a crime, a concurrent civil action can be initiated in criminal proceedings; alternatively, a separate civil action can be brought for material losses. The choice between the two approaches should depend on the circumstances.
The above answer is based on the judicial practice in Beijing. The judicial interpretations in other provinces and cities may vary. For specific cases, please refer to the local rules and evidence situations.
If you are currently facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the relevant evidence materials to avoid missing the statutory time limit. →Personal injury legal services·Beijing Henglue Law Firm
Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on the current effective laws and regulations and public adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. If you encounter disputes, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.