What You Should Do If You Are Involved in a Hit and Run Crash
In most cases, after a car accident involving two or more vehicles information is exchanged, police are called, and photos are taken to document the damage. This is the behavior of responsible drivers. But what happens if the other driver takes off after the car crash? Hit and run collisions are on the rise according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The Foundation reports 737,100 hit and run crashes in 2015. Those numbers translate to one hit-and-run collision every 43 seconds.
Seek Help for Any Medical Injuries
The first priority following any car crash is to seek medical help. In the event you or your passengers have injuries of any sort, you must be evaluated by a medical expert. Even if you have no outward signs of injury, you should travel to the nearest hospital or wait to be checked out by first responders.
In terms of a potential personal injury case, a visit to the emergency room serves another purpose, too. Any injuries will be expertly documented by the healthcare staff in a timely manner. If the car crash results in injuries and medical bills begin to pile up, seeking medical attention as soon as possible can help your attorney argue against claims of unrelated injuries.
Gather as Much Information as Possible
Call the police immediately if the other driver leaves the scene. If you are able to, gather as much information about the other driver as possible. Hit and run crashes leave police with a difficult challenge. Any information that can potentially identify the other driver is crucial.
Record as much information as you can recall as soon as possible after the crash. Include as much of the following as you can:
Information about the vehicle, including the color, make, model, damages.
As much of the license plate as you can. Even a partial plate number can help. Make a note if the tags are from another state.
Take photos of the damage to your car.
If possible, try to grab a photo of the other vehicle.
Write down a physical description of the other driver or any passengers.
Speak to any witnesses and record their contact information.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
In hit-and-run crash cases, recovering compensation from the other vehicle’s insurance carrier is difficult. Without the identity of the other driver, you are left with no insurance company to file a claim against.
In some cases, if the other driver is never identified, your compensation will come from your own insurance. Your personal injury lawyer will help you handle the insurance claim. You may be entitled to receive compensation for property damage, physical injury, and pain and suffering.
Once the other driver is identified, your personal injury attorney will guide you through the court process and help you recover damages.
After a hit-and-run crash, you are left with more than just property damage and medical injuries. You may experience confusion over how to proceed without the name and information of the other driver. Your first step is to contact an experienced attorney to help you navigate the process.