It’s a sickening feeling when you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident. It can leave you feeling vulnerable, angry, and frustrated. The first thing that often comes to mind is “I want this person caught.” And then it’s followed up by “What do I need to do now?” We have compiled 6 things you should do if injured in a hit and run accident.
Contact a Lawyer
When hurt in a hit-and-run accident, you must hire an attorney to represent your interests. The more time that passes after the collision, the harder it will be for your hit and run lawyer to secure evidence of liability against the driver who caused the crash. As time passes, the trail will grow cold and it may become impossible to prove that a particular driver was at fault. For this reason, you should contact an attorney as soon after the accident as possible. Click here to learn more.
Get The License Plate Number Of The Vehicle
You should try to get the license plate number of the vehicle that caused you harm. This is particularly important if there are no witnesses who can identify the driver, or if it turns out that this was an accident and not intentional behavior on behalf of the other driver. Getting your hands on their identification card will allow you to find them later through DMV records. If they leave before giving any information about themselves, then getting a picture of their car with its license plate might be enough evidence for authorities to track them down even without knowing who committed the crime against you.
Call 911
If you are injured, or a loved one is hurt and the other driver flees the scene of an accident. Call 911 immediately to report what happened. The police will come out to take your statement as well as photograph any injuries that have been suffered from this hit-and-run car crash. It’s also important that they document all evidence at the scene including debris from cars, paint chips, etc. In many cases, it helps if there were witnesses who saw the suspect flee the vehicle leaving behind personal belongings which can be used in court proceedings later on down the line when charges are laid against the suspect or insurance companies attempt settlement negotiations with the victim(s).
Take Pictures Of The Damage To Your Car
Take pictures of the damage to your car, regardless of whether you know who did it. Some insurance companies won’t pay out unless they can see proof that a hit-and-run accident happened. Even if there were witnesses around at the time, their memories might fade over time. Photos last longer than human recollection ever will! You also need to take plenty of photographs from different angles because some companies try not to cover certain areas such as wheel arches or wing mirrors too closely for fear of having to make additional payments later on down the line under warranty claims. Don’t forget debris evidence either which could prove useful in identifying what kind of vehicle was involved e.g.; number plates, light clusters, etc…
Obtain Contact Information From Witnesses
Witness accounts are very valuable when it comes to getting a good grasp of what happened at the scene. In some cases, one witness may have been able to get information that another could not. It’s important to always approach witnesses with respect and caution but also be friendly to receive their help. Always ask them if they would mind giving you their contact information so that you can follow up with any pertinent details or questions later on. You should never pressure anyone into giving over personal information but don’t hesitate either because this is an important part of your case especially if there were no other eye-witnesses around who might provide testimony for you down the line. Make sure that these contacts are done early enough though before their memories start to fade.
Write Down All Of Your Expenses
One of the biggest problems with hit and run accidents is that you don’t always get to catch the person who took your car, much less be able to prove it was them. Sometimes they’ll turn themselves in or you’ll recognize their vehicle when reading through this list but sometimes what’s left behind isn’t easily identifiable. That’s why keeping track of all expenses related to a hit and run can help make sure everything gets paid for by insurance companies if needed. This means making copies of receipts, taking photos or videos even if you aren’t confident about how things will play out legally speaking so at least there’s some documentation from an emotional standpoint as well. Be sure not to break any laws while documenting damages either! If someone saw what happened and witnessed the whole thing it’s important to get their information as well so you can let your insurance company know!
If you are in an accident that is not your fault, it can be difficult to know what steps to take. There may be insurance issues and even legal implications depending on the circumstances of your case.
