Were you involved in a hit-and-run accident recently? Before you begin trying to track down a hit-and-run injury lawyer, you’ll likely need to work through a wide range of emotions.
A hit-and-run crash can leave you feeling angry, confused, fearful, helpless, and lonely. You might also find yourself stuck in a state of shock and unable to process what’s going on around you.
Unfortunately, this could cause you to make crucial mistakes as you attempt to figure out what to do after a hit-and-run accident. It may also make it more difficult than it should be to file an auto insurance claim or take legal action against the driver responsible for your crash.
Here is how you should respond in the aftermath of a hit-and-run crash to avoid making an already difficult situation even worse.
Call the Police
You should call the police after any motor vehicle accident you’re involved in. However, it’s especially important to call the police as quickly as you can after a hit-and-run accident.
The police can launch an investigation into your hit-and-run crash immediately. They may even have the resources to track down a fleeing driver and place them under arrest.
If nothing else, officers can respond to the scene of your hit-and-run crash and begin putting together a police report. This will come in handy when it’s time to file a car accident claim with your auto insurance company, as it will be your only official on-the-scene account of what transpired during and immediately after the accident. It could also benefit you if you choose to file a lawsuit related to your accident.
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Seek Medical Treatment
The majority of hit-and-run accidents don’t cause injuries or fatalities. Studies have shown that more than 700,000 hit-and-run accidents are recorded annually — but they typically only cause between 100,000 and 150,000 injuries and just under 2,000 fatalities.
Still, you shouldn’t let this stop you from seeking medical treatment following a hit-and-run crash. Even if you don’t think you were hurt during your accident, it’s worth having medical professionals evaluate you for any signs of injuries. Some car accident injuries, such as concussions and whiplash, might not start to exhibit symptoms until a few days after a crash.
If you put off medical treatment after a car crash and develop symptoms down the line, you may struggle to prove your injuries were caused by the crash in question. This could leave you on the hook to handle any medical expenses on your own rather than relying on your auto insurance company to help cover them.
Search for Evidence
You’ll probably feel shaken up after a hit-and-run accident, but you shouldn’t let that prevent you from gathering as much evidence as you can from the scene. Nowadays, it’s simple enough to pull out your smartphone and take photographs and videos of an accident scene that can serve as key evidence in a hit-and-run case.
The police officers responding to the scene will also comb it for any evidence of your hit-and-run accident. They might, for example, come across a side-view mirror from the vehicle that hit you that could help them find the fleeing driver who didn’t stick around after your crash.
But you should also give your accident scene a once-over in case you might stumble upon any evidence. Doing this could help you build a more compelling case when you file an insurance claim or an auto accident lawsuit.
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Speak With Witnesses
Did any witnesses see your hit-and-run accident take place? If so, you should try to speak with them for a few minutes at the scene and ask them to tell you what they saw.
You should also consider asking witnesses for their contact information so that your auto insurance company or auto accident attorney can contact them soon. Witness statements can play a key role in hit-and-run cases.
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Notify Your Auto Insurance Company
The confusion stemming from a hit-and-run accident often comes when it’s time to notify your auto insurance company about a crash. You might not know whether or not your insurance company will provide collision coverage in a case like this since there is a chance the other driver won’t ever be found.
Even if this driver is located, they may not have insurance. This would explain why they didn’t stop after being involved in a collision with you in the first place.
But you shouldn’t let any of this deter you from contacting your auto insurance company anyway. Some states require that drivers have uninsured motorist coverage, which can deliver the coverage you need after a hit-and-run crash. You can file an accident claim just like you normally would and have your insurance company help you pay for medical care, auto repairs, and other expenses.
Touch Base With a Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney
Your auto insurance company may give you the cold shoulder when you file a hit-and-run accident claim. The other driver involved in your crash might also be found and arrested, which can complicate an insurance claim further.
If your insurance company doesn’t provide the assistance you need, find a reliable hit-and-run crash attorney to help. They can investigate your hit and run further, determine legal liability in your case, and file a claim against your auto insurance company and/or the driver responsible for your crash. This could help you collect the compensation you need to jumpstart the recovery process.
Reach Out to Us To Locate the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
When you’re trying to recover from injuries sustained during a hit-and-run accident, the last thing you need is to spend all your time worrying about the expenses associated with it. If your auto insurance company isn’t helpful after your crash, schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.
Accident Hotline can help you locate the right auto accident attorney in your area. Contact us at 888-340-7454 today to connect with a local lawyer who can provide you with a free informative consultation.
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