Essential Actions to Protect Yourself After a Hit-and-Run Accident
Victims of hit and run accidents get overwhelmed by injuries sustained during the accident. State traffic laws require motorists to stay at the crime scene until law enforcement arrives. Hit and run motorists make it challenging to recover compensation because of their unknown identities. If you happened to be a victim of a hit and […]
Essential Actions to Protect Yourself After a Hit-and-Run Accident
Victims of hit and run accidents get overwhelmed by injuries sustained during the accident. State traffic laws require motorists to stay at the crime scene until law enforcement arrives. Hit and run motorists make it challenging to recover compensation because of their unknown identities.
If you happened to be a victim of a hit and run accident, you should take certain measures to ensure your safety and make the litigation process easier for your attorneys. No one knows when they’ll need the services of a hit and run lawyer, so it’s important to take essential actions to protect yourself.
Here are simple things to do when a driver flees an accident scene before the cops arrive:
Prioritize Your Safety and Call 911
If you’re still conscious after a hit and run, the best first step is moving to a safe location and checking for injuries. Call 911 and report the incident’s location, time, and victims involved so that first responders are dispatched.
First responders and traffic law enforcement officers will rush to the scene and write an accident report. This will be the first piece of evidence used by your attorneys in proving that you sustained injuries in the accident.
Document the Scene
Try to take as many photos, videos, and voice recordings as possible of the scene. Note the details of the fleeing driver, like their license plate number, color, and make of the car. Document the injuries and damages sustained, including any road signs or landmarks around.
Part of the documentation is talking to witnesses and getting their contact information. Witness statements are crucial for police investigations and insurance claims. They provide an unbiased take on the accident, including important information you might miss in the heat of the moment.
Proper documentation of the crime scene makes it easier for law enforcement officers and your attorneys to conduct a swift investigation and possibly arrest the perpetrator. It also gives your attorney an upper hand when negotiating a settlement or going to trial.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention from a nearby care facility or get an ambulance transport if you’ve sustained serious injuries.
Maintaining a proper record of all medical documents associated with the accident, such as invoices, prescriptions, and CT scans, is beneficial to your case. These records are used by your attorney to prove to the court and the jury that you sustained injuries and required medical attention to heal.
However, failing to attend all the scheduled treatment appointments will give the insurance company legal grounds to downplay the severity of your injuries.
Call Your Insurance Provider
Call your insurance provider and share the police report and your documentation of the crime scene. Most insurance companies require immediate reporting of accidents with proper documentation of the place, time, and circumstances of the accident.
Stick to the facts and avoid speculating about any detail that you’re unsure of. This prevents your insurance provider from underplaying your injuries and damages. You’re entitled to consult an attorney before answering questions that make you feel pressured or uncomfortable.
Hire an Attorney
The final step is to hire an experienced hit-and-run attorney to provide legal counsel in building your case. Dealing with the complexities of insurance claims can be overwhelming when you’re still coping with physical and emotional pain.
Hit and run attorneys will fill the gaps that the defense team can use to undercompensate damages or deny your claim. With a lawyer’s representation, your rights will be protected and you’ll get the compensation you deserve.
Conclusion
To conclude, important actions that’ll protect you in a hit and run accident include:
- Prioritizing your safety and calling 911
- Documenting the crime scene, including the witness’s account
- Seeking proper medical attention and keeping records
- Calling your insurance provider
- Hiring a legal professional in hit and run matters in your jurisdiction