When you're involved in a collision and the other driver flees the scene of the accident, it's referred to as a hit and run. In most states, leaving the scene of a crash is a criminal matter, especially if there are injuries. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult for you to receive compensation for damage to your vehicle and your medical bills after a hit and run accident when the other driver is never caught by the police. That's why it's important to provide as much information as possible to the police after the accident and to hire an auto accident attorney to help with the investigation. To maximize your chances of being fully compensated for injury and damage to your vehicle after a hit and run accident, here's what you need to do.
Call the Police and Provide Information to Help Them Catch the Other Driver
While collecting as much information as you can is always important after an accident, it's particularly important after a hit and run. You'll need to provide police with as much information as possible in order to increase the chance that the hit and run driver is successfully apprehended.
Try to memorize a few numbers and letters of the other driver's license plate along with the color and type of car they were driving. If their car was damaged during the accident, make sure you provide this information to the police — this can be a big help in identifying the other driver's car after a hit and run. Check the immediate area around the scene to see if anyone else witnessed the accident, as they may remember some details they can share with the police.
Call 911 as soon as possible after the accident, providing the dispatcher with as much information as possible about the other car. You should also tell the dispatcher which direction the car was headed when it fled the scene of the accident.
Receive Treatment for Your Injuries
Focus on your personal health and safety while the police attempt to find the other driver. If you were injured in the accident, seek medical attention. Sometimes people who are involved in an auto accident sustain injuries that are not felt until several days later — it's important to receive treatment as soon as symptoms appear. After treatment, make sure you ask your healthcare provider for a copy of your medical records. A record of your treatment can be a big help in a personal injury case.
Hire the Services of an Auto Accident Attorney
Navigating a hit and run accident can be difficult, so it's best to hire the services of an auto accident attorney. Hopefully, police will be able to find the other driver and the other driver will have adequate insurance. Unfortunately, sometimes drivers leave the scene of an accident because they're not carrying auto insurance. In this case, you'll need to go through your own insurance company in order to receive compensation for the hit and run accident. Your attorney can also file a personal injury suit against the other driver to pay for your medical bills or lost wages from taking time off of work to recover.
Sometimes the other driver won't be found after a hit and run accident. Even though there's nobody to bring a personal injury case against, it's still useful to hire an auto accident attorney. An attorney will help you with the process of filing a claim with your insurance company and make sure they treat you fairly when compensating you for the accident.
Overall, the difficulties involved in a hit and run accident make it important to seek the services of an auto accident attorney. An attorney will work closely with law enforcement to check if the other driver has been apprehended — sometimes the police won't catch them until quite a while after the hit and run, so it's important to stay involved in the investigation. When you have been involved in a hit and run accident, hire an experienced auto accident attorney to help you with the process of filing a personal injury suit against the other driver or filing a claim with your insurance company.
