Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident is bad under any circumstances, but it is worse when one of the drivers leaves the scene of the accident. Leaving the scene of even a minor collision can carry civil and criminal consequences, but some drivers end up getting away with it because neither their victims nor law enforcement are able to identify them.
You may feel frustrated and powerless by the other driver’s selfish and cowardly decision to leave the scene of the accident. Here are steps to take following a hit-and-run accident to make sure that you are taken care of and to help the police find the other driver.
1. Gather All the Information You Can
If you can get the other vehicle’s license plate before the other driver leaves the scene, that will be a big help to the police later. However, even if you don’t have time to get this crucial piece of evidence, any details you can remember about the car (color, make, model, etc.) or information about the driver that you can provide to the police will aid in their investigation. Talk to any witnesses to the accident as well; they may have noticed something that you missed.
2. Call 911
The quickest and easiest way to summon police and other first responders to the scene of a hit and run is by calling 911. You may be able to give information regarding the other vehicle to the dispatcher so that they can send some officers to look for the other driver while their colleagues are attending to you and gathering information for the accident report.
3. Receive Medical Attention
Even if the other driver is not caught, you will likely still file an insurance claim. For this reason, it is important to have a medical evaluation to diagnose and treat any injuries following the accident to establish a clear link between the two. Keep in mind that symptoms of injury may not show up for several hours, or even days, following the crash.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
Since you do not have information on the other driver, you will need to file a claim with your own insurance company. Requirements vary by state, but this will probably fall under the category of uninsured or underinsured driver coverage, which most drivers are required to carry for circumstances like this.
5. Consider Hiring an Attorney
An experienced attorney may be able to help you deal with your insurance company or aid in the identification of the other driver. Contact our office for more information about how we may be able to assist you in this situation.