Experiencing a hit-and-run accident is confusing and frustrating, especially when you face severe injuries and property damage without knowing who to hold responsible for the costs. Accidents are designated as being a hit-and-run when one or more drivers leave the scene without providing their identifying information or fulfilling their legal obligations to stay.

Although you might feel overwhelmed about what to do next, it helps to know that there are steps you can take to protect your health and legal rights. Following the proper procedures can also help you pursue compensation for your injuries and property damage to aid in your recovery.

Put Safety First and Prioritize Seeking Medical Attention

In the adrenaline rush that flows after an accident, it might be tempting to try to chase the other vehicle or person on foot. However, this can quickly escalate the situation and potentially complicate injuries. Try to remain calm and move to a safe location that is as far from traffic as possible. Then, turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers to your location.

Next, you’ll need to begin checking yourself and other passengers for injuries. If you suspect that someone has a severe injury, then try to avoid moving them unless they are in immediate danger. Calling for emergency services as soon as possible can also help to prevent serious injuries from worsening. Even if you don’t suspect serious injuries, you’ll still want to reach out to the police to document the accident and begin making a report. Emergency responders can also help to clear your car from the road and restore safety to the accident scene.

Once you’ve taken care of your needs at the accident scene, you will still need to seek a medical evaluation. Many car accident injuries take time to fully develop symptoms. For instance, you might not notice the effects of whiplash for several hours or days after the collision. In some cases, what seems like a minor injury at first may actually be severe. Head trauma might initially seem like mild confusion when you have a serious brain injury that could lead to serious complications.

Seeing a medical provider can also help you begin documenting the effects of the hit-and-run accident. Keep detailed records of your medical visits, any diagnoses and associated costs. Many people find it helpful to create a special file folder specifically for medical bills and receipts that they can provide to their car accident lawyer when they need to file a claim.

Gather Important Evidence and Make a Formal Police Report

If the police did not come to the scene, then you’ll still need to contact your local law enforcement team to provide an accurate account of the incident. Try to recall as many important details as you can about the fleeing vehicle, including its make, model and color. If you were able to get a license plate number, then this can be very beneficial for your case.

If you weren’t able to get a plate number or accurate description of the vehicle, then an experienced lawyer like the attorneys at Dozier Law Group can help you request video footage from nearby surveillance cameras. In some cases, a witness might have dash camera footage that could also help your case.

If it is safe to do so, you will also want to take photographs of any damage that you see at the scene. Skid marks, tracks through nearby grass and damaged traffic signs or other telltale marks from the other vehicle are beneficial to document. If the other vehicle had parts fall off, then collecting them could provide further evidence that can be used in the accident investigation and to identify the driver.

As you create your report, try to keep all of the information you provide as accurate as possible. Even the smallest detail regarding the time, date, road conditions and weather can assist with the investigation.

Notify Your Insurance Company and Understand Your Coverage

Insurance policies often have plans in place for addressing hit-and-run accident claims, such as uninsured motorist coverage. You’ll need to contact your insurance company to report the accident and find out what process to follow to open a claim. This is a great time to review your policy to identify potential resources for assistance. Knowing whether you have uninsured motorist or collision coverage can help you begin exploring your options for recovering compensation.

You’ll also want to check into your policy’s requirements for coverage limits, deductibles and claim deadlines. Failing to meet a deadline or complete important requirements on time could complicate your claim. You will also need to document any repair estimates, rental car costs, towing charges and medical bills that your insurance might cover. If your insurance company requests a police report or other evidence, then follow the guidelines to make sure it is done in a timely manner.

While contacting your insurance provider is important, you’ll want to remember that the company might offer the lowest settlement possible. Avoid assuming who will pay for the damages until you have a full understanding of the coverage and how the accident investigation is expected to proceed.

Talking to a qualified attorney about the accident and your insurance coverage can help provide you with a neutral resource who can answer your questions. While most insurance companies follow the proper protocols, it is important to avoid making common mistakes such as accepting an offer that won’t cover all of your needs.

Protect Your Legal Rights by Following Through With Your Case

If law enforcement contacts you, then make sure to follow up with them to stay on top of any updates. New evidence or the discovery of who was responsible for the accident could change how your case is handled by the insurance company and your lawyer. If you have ongoing medical or car repair costs, then continue keeping detailed records until your case is formally completed.

Working with your lawyer can also help you manage issues that can arise with insurance coverage disputes or difficulty obtaining compensation that you believe is owed to you for the accident. Continuing to be proactive throughout the entire accident investigation and claims process requires hard work and persistence, but you’ll find it is worth it when you complete your case with full confidence that you have the compensation you need for a strong recovery.

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