The Ultimate Guide on What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Car Accident
Data shows that hit-and-run car accidents occur almost every 45 seconds in the United States.
This is an alarming statistic, but it can give you comfort knowing you aren't alone. Although this process can be difficult to navigate, certain steps will calm the incident. If you don't know what to do after a car accident, this guide will point you in the right direction.
Keep reading to learn how to handle a hit-and-run car accident, whether you've already been in one or not.
Collect Yourself
One of the very first things you must do after a hit-and-run accident is to remain calm.
Getting your emotions under control will help you better assess injuries, damage, and responses. If you start to panic, remember that you can hire a personal injury lawyer for help. With a clear mind, you can better retain details about the accident and driver that hit your vehicle.
If you were in the vehicle during the hit, pull over to a safe location and check yourself for injuries. Often, in small accidents, the pain won't arrive until two to three days later. If you're seriously injured, call the emergency services for help or get a witness to handle that step.
Make sure you see someone calling 911. When large crowds gather, people assume someone has already handled the task and doesn't take initiative. This delay can put your life and others in danger.
Stay at the Scene of the Accident
Some people get a rush of adrenaline after an accident and get the urge to follow the driver.
Never follow the fleeing driver, as this can put your life in more significant danger. Not only could the fleeing cause an accident up the road, but you won't gather details about the actual accident. Stay at the scene and try to find nearby witnesses that may have seen something.
In many locations, it's also illegal to leave the scene of the accident until police arrive.
When you follow another driver, police could view this as a hostile response. Stay put and take in as much info about your surroundings as possible. Noting nearby businesses and homes could also result in potential leads from cameras.
Recall What You Can
Hit-and-run accidents often occur so fast it's hard to catch any identifying details. The attorneys from ELG Law can explain how precise details play a crucial role in the case. Recollection of the accident should be as detailed as possible. Note the time, location, and direction of travel for each vehicle. If you can catch a license plate number or description of the driver, that's even better.
Sometimes, you may not even be in your vehicle and someone clipped your car in a parking lot. Recall all of the info about surrounding cars and write it down. Memory is fragile and will fade over time when you try to remember.
Take note of the fleeing vehicle's color, license plate number (if you caught it), and the type of car they're driving. If the vehicle had prior damage to hitting your car, it could also be used for police descriptions. When you speak with the cops, inform them of the direction the driver was headed.
Don't forget to write down the exact time, location, and cause of the accident. These are the most critical details when forming a case.
If you're having trouble remembering details, talk to any witnesses and exchange info with them. You'll get a copy of the police report once it's complete, but you won't have access to everything when you call the insurance company.
Take Photos
While you wait for the police to arrive, it's a good time to take photos of the incident.
You'll need detailed photos and evidence to prove your case in court. You also want this evidence for insurance purposes since many companies will try to raise your premiums after an accident goes in the books.
Taking photos with your smartphone is the best way to take evidence. Not only are these cameras of high quality, but they also time and date stamp the photos and some phones store data on the location. This can confirm your accident details when you're trying to recall them.
Skid marks, injuries, and damage must be documented or the insurance companies and court will overlook them.
It's useful to take photos of the surrounding area and the intersection of the hit-and-run. These photos can provide useful clues to your case and help you identify cameras that could have caught the person fleeing.
File a Police Report
Insurance companies typically won't deal with customers unless they have a police report to prove they aren't at fault.
Once the police arrive on the scene, they will want to speak with you and the witnesses. Be as honest as you can be when they ask you questions but try not to share the info you aren't sure about. Unless there is a way to confirm what happened, the police will use your statement to write up the incident.
Keep in mind that the police aren't responsible for insurance costs. Insurance representatives look at accident reports to determine who was at fault. Fortunately, in hit-and-run accidents, you shouldn't be held responsible.
It may take several days to get a police report back. Once you receive this info or get a report number, you can call your insurance provider. Police reports must be filed within 24 hours of the accident, but the sooner you call them, the better it will be for you.
Dive into Your Insurance Plan
Chances are, you may not know what policies you have for insurance coverage.
Before you pick up the phone to call your insurance agent, take the time to identify if the hit-and-run is covered. Some insurance providers won't compensate you for the accident if you don't have any proof that you didn't cause the damage yourself.
If you get confused about coverage, now is a good time to start considering hiring an attorney. Filing claims, even while dealing with insurance companies, can improve your compensation package.
Talk to Your Insurance Provider
One of the most dreaded parts of getting into a car accident is having to deal with insurance companies.
Once you get your police report number, you can provide more details to your representative. It's best to call within 48 hours of the incident so your company can start processing the paperwork.
The conversation will help the insurance representative gather details about the incident. They will ask questions to confirm what happened and use all the info to determine which driver was at fault. Typically, in hit-and-run accidents, the driver who fled the scene is held responsible.
If you live in an "at-fault" state, such as Indiana, you may not qualify for protection. Make sure you identify the type of collision with insurance, as this can impact your financial responsibilities.
You will likely need to email photos, show receipts, and other documentation to build your case. Some of these steps may feel repetitive from working with the police, but each institution processes the info differently.
Hire an Attorney
A simple phone call with your insurance company can often indicate if you will need legal protection.
If the insurance provider isn't offering any help, an attorney can encourage them to change their course of action. At alphaaccidentlawyers.com, you can find help with legal services so you aren't responsible for other drivers' actions.
Attorneys that specialize in car accidents can help you find loopholes and help you get the most money possible. Having an attorney by your side from the start of the incident can relieve you of stress and help you focus on more important things like your health.
Victim compensation funds can be awarded if the fleeing driver causes serious injuries or death. If the accident was a crime in itself, your attorney will likely fight for this compensation. If the driver who fled the accident has been identified, you and your lawyer can take them to court to receive compensation payments.
Seek Medical Help
After a few days or a week of the accident, you may start to feel uncomfortable.
Once the paperwork has begun, you must see your doctor or medical professional. Getting a checkup can ensure there isn't any internal bleeding or serious issues that could affect your health. It helps to wait a couple of days since the impact doesn't often hurt until you are out of shock.
Take copies of all of your medical documents that involved the accident. You will need to submit them to your insurance company or lawyer so they can determine a fair compensation award for your setbacks.
Follow Up with Your Agents
Depending on the process, you will need to follow up with the police officer and your insurance agent.
After you submit all the documents and go to court, there might still be some details that need to be worked out. Calling your agents can prevent delays in compensation and help you clarify any questions they have. When you speak with your insurance company, make sure you ask them about how your policy will be impacted going forward.
If you have any concerns during these calls, contact your attorney for the next steps. Some hit-and-run cases can take several months to complete and you don't want your case to go cold.
You can also go online or on a mobile app to check the status of your claim. This is the fastest way to get updates and you won't have to sit on hold during a phone call.
Get Back on the Roads
Did you know that more than 12% of drivers in the United States suffer from anxiety and fear behind the wheel?
Driving can expose you to a lot of risks and after you've been hit, it can be scary to start driving again. As long as you've been cleared to drive by a medical professional, don't wait to start the ignition. Delaying your next ride can increase fears and cause more long-term damage emotionally and mentally.
Since you will likely be dealing with some anxiety, stick to the roads you're comfortable with. Try to avoid heavy traffic and get rides from other people if you're having trouble controlling your responses. It may take time to get over your fears, but the sooner you get back into it, the better.
Although drivers from behind are typically held responsible for accidents, you don't want to contribute to them. Always drive a safe distance between your vehicle and others, this can increase response times and prevent collisions.
When Roles Reverse
If you're thinking about hiring a lawyer because you were the one that hit the vehicle and fled, you want to invest in the best.
An attorney can help you plead your case, especially if there is a legitimate reason for you to keep going. In some cases, hit-and-runs occur because of medical emergencies and trying to protect someone.
It is important to hire a legal professional in your state as they will have experience with the specific laws relevant to your location. For example, if you are in Texas, you should ask yourself 'do I Need a Dallas auto accident lawyer?' (or elsewhere more relevant) rather than a legal team that does not specialise in the applicable laws. If you accidentally clipped a car on your way to the hospital, make sure you share the reasons with your lawyer as they are there to advocate for your actions.Unfortunately, if you've fled the scene of an accident, you're already breaking the law. A lawyer can reduce your charges and punishment, however, if you confess to the crime.
It's also important to have an attorney on your side so you don't lose your license or future ability to drive.
Protect Yourself in a Hit-and-Run Car Accident
A hit-and-run car accident can be frustrating to deal with, but if you take the right steps, you'll get compensated for the damage.
Working with an attorney and gathering evidence from the start will help you plug in holes in the situation. Police and insurance companies will use the details gathered at the scene to help you get the justice you deserve. Don't delay any of these steps and try to write down the details.
Take a look at our blog for more content about getting legal services and dealing with auto issues!
