Getting into any type of car accident can be a painful and traumatic experience, but things are complicated even further when an at-fault driver flees the scene before exchanging information or waiting for police to arrive. This is known as a “hit and run” accident, and trying to make sense of your legal options can be frustratingly difficult — especially while you are trying to recover from significant injuries caused by the accident.
Even though you will likely be dealing with a claim through your insurance policy if you are unable to locate and identify the at-fault party, you can still expect the insurer to try and settle your case as quickly and cheaply as possible. This is where the support of a personal injury attorney comes in handy, especially one experienced in hit-and-run cases.
Contact 1-800-Injured To Connect With a Hit and Run Attorney Today
1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service. We will connect you with a proven car accident lawyer for a free consultation, so you don’t have to go through the often-frustrating process of finding a lawyer. You will be dealing with the many other disruptions that a hit-and-run accident causes — the pain of your injuries, the impacts of missed work, and the inability to keep up with household chores.
During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to go through a case evaluation with a legal professional and ask questions about your situation to better understand what you can expect moving forward with your claim. Of course, there is no way for a lawyer to give you any absolutes, given how complex a personal injury claim can be, especially in a hit and run. But knowing that there is someone who is willing to fight for the money you deserve can give you peace of mind as you stay focused on your recovery.
Read more below about hit and run accident cases, and contact us as soon as possible to be connected with a lawyer today.
What To Do After a Hit and Run Accident
There is always the hope that the responsible party is identified after a hit and run accident, but the likelihood is that you will be filing a claim through your insurer to recover damages. The following steps prioritize your health over the ability to pursue the other driver for damages. Still, there is always a possibility that you will ultimately find them and be able to file a claim against their insurer. Follow these steps, and keep in mind that your health and the health of your passengers should be your top priority in any situation.
Call 911
Before anything else, call 911 so they can dispatch a police officer, the fire department, or EMTs to the scene. Many people choose not to call 911 after an accident but regret this decision as the insurance company uses things like the lack of a police report to deny paying a full claim. More importantly, first responders will be able to take over the situation and ensure that you get the care and attention you need.
When speaking to the 911 operator, inform them that the other driver fled the scene as the police may be able to put out an alert to look for a vehicle that matches your description.
Record Any Identifying Information Right Away
No matter how vivid the experience seems in the moment, you can be certain that your memory will fade, and you will struggle to recall details that may come in handy in the search for the other driver.
Things like the make, model,and color, of the vehicle, license plate number, bumper stickers, or other identifying details about the vehicle may all help police identify the vehicle.
If possible, take a video detailing the entire accident scene and include a narration that explains any additional information that you can recall. This includes the cause of the crash, what the other driver was doing, and anything else that can help your attorney, the police, or insurance company during the investigation.
Get Medical Care
If you have suffered any injuries, no matter how minor they may seem, getting medical attention is a very important stept to take after the accident. This will ensure that you get the correct treatment to make a recovery and that there is documented evidence of the injuries you have suffered. If you have a seemingly-minor injury that ultimately persists and impacts your quality of life, early documentation is an important part in proving that the injury is related to your accident and is ongoing.
If you take an ambulance to the emergency room, this step will be taken care of for you. It can be scary to accept an ambulance, especially knowing that you will likely be seeking compensation from your insurer, but if the EMTs believe this is the appropriate step to take, then it is in your best interest to follow their guidance. If you leave the scene on your own, you should schedule an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as possible.
Hire an Attorney
Once you have gotten your initial medical needs addressed, we encourage you to contact 1-800-Injured to be connected with an experienced hit and run accident attorney. They will help guide you through the claims process and help you make sense of the otherwise confusing process of getting compensated for your accident. Whether or not the at-fault driver is ever identified and caught, getting the money you deserve is difficult and frustrating when handling it on your own. But when you have a lawyer focused on your legal issues you will be able to prioritize your recovery and get your life back on track without the added stress that can seriously impact your physical recovery.