A hit and run accident is a very frightening & traumatic experience and you might not know what to do next. You could have sustained substantial injuries that need immediate attention. In the long term, you have legal rights that should be protected as well. In this blog post, we’ll outline the steps to take if you’re the victim of a hit and run accident.
- Contact Law Enforcement Immediately – If you’re physically able, the first thing you should do after a hit and run accident is contact law enforcement. Even if the accident is minor, it’s still a good idea to call the police and file a report. A crime has been committed and you may have endured internal injuries, not already exposed. Describe the vehicle involved, the license plate number if you were able to jot it down, and any other identifying information that could aid in the police investigation and catching the suspect(s). This will also help protect you in the event of any legal proceedings that may result.
- Document the Scene of the Accident – After you call the authorities, document the scene if your injuries allow or ask an eyewitness to help you. First, visually document it by taking pictures and video of your injuries, damages to your vehicle, and the scene in general from different perspectives. Next, attempt to gather eyewitnesses’ names and contact information and ask if they’ll provide a statement of what they saw occur.
- Seek Medical Attention: After assessing the situation and gathering the details, law enforcement will ensure you receive the proper medical treatment. Of course, if your injuries are severe, law enforcement will rely on eyewitness accounts and their investigation to build a report while you’re being treated for your injuries – after all, your health is the top priority.
- Contact Your Car Insurance Company – If your car has been damaged as the result of a hit and run accident, you’ll need to contact your car insurance company to file a claim. At this time, you can make any arrangements for a rental if your vehicle is no longer drivable. The police report and your visual documentation will be key factors to your insurance claim.
- Consult a Personal Injury Attorney – After a hit and run accident, it’s strongly recommended to consult an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Your personal injury attorney will review the police report, your photo, and video evidence, and will meet with you to offer advice and explain your options for compensation. They know the questions to ask and additional information to gather to begin building a case against the hit and run suspect. Some people are hesitant to contact an attorney because they expect to dish out a lump sum of money in advance, however, many attorneys don’t charge up-front fees for representation. Instead, they work on a contingency basis – meaning they get paid when they deliver a successful outcome on your behalf. Further, most people don’t know the full scope of what they can collect after a hit and run. Depending on the severity, the types of compensation you may receive include: Current medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain & suffering, and mental anguish. They’ll fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Don’t be burdened with the aftermath of a hit and run on your own. At Fulmer Sill, we’re confident that our experience and knowledge will produce a favorable outcome for you. As mentioned above, our firm doesn’t charge any up-front fees for representation. We handle all fees on a contingency basis, meaning that unless we’re successful, you don’t have to pay us.
If you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation, contact us immediately at (405) 433-7414 or request a case review here.