Hurt in a Hit-and-Run Accident? Five Steps You Should Take
Being involved in a car accident is a devastating experience. It becomes even more devastating when the driver who hit you decides to leave the collision scene. With the shock of being involved in an accident, you may be confused and have no idea what to do.
However, it is essential to know that if you are hurt in a hit-and-run accident, there are some steps you can take to ensure you get the justice you deserve. This article provides insight on what to do after a hit-and-run accident.
Which Steps Should You Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
1. Call 911
Check for Injuries and request emergency services as soon as you can. If you are not severely injured and the accident involved other people, check them for injuries and identify the type of injuries they might have suffered. If seriously injured, avoid unnecessary movement. Calling an ambulance and receiving emergency medical attention immediately can save lives and increase the chances of a full recovery.
It is also equally important to call the authorities as soon as possible and inform them that you have been hurt in a hit-and-run accident. Again, provide them with as much detail as you can recall and give them time to investigate and identify the person who hit you.
2. Don’t Try to Follow the Vehicle That Hit You
Although you may have the urge to follow the vehicle that hit you, you should not! Following the car may make things worse for you. You may cause another accident in the process or hurt yourself physically.
Your chances of catching up with the vehicle are close to none, and in the heat of the moment, the driver of the car that hit you may have a bad reaction if followed, leading to more damage. Leaving the hit-and-run accident scene will also make it harder for the authorities to figure out what happened. In the worst-case scenario, you may end up being charged with a hit-and-run yourself.
3. Recall as Much Information as You Can
When involved in an accident, try to identify the license plate of the vehicle that hit you. Memorize it or write it down somewhere, if you can. If you recall the license plate number, the police can quickly identify the owner.
However, if the license place number is not visible or you cannot memorize it, try your best to identify other vehicle features. It would help if you noted the color, the direction the vehicle sped off in, the vehicle’s make and model, and any other distinguishing features.
4. Speak to Witnesses
In a collision accident, having a witness might save your life. Identify and speak to anyone who may have witnessed the accident, and request their contact details. You can also ask them to wait for the police to arrive for them to make an official statement.
A person who witnessed the accident may offer a new perspective or information that you cannot recall. If they saw how everything unfolded, they may also provide precise details to help the police in their investigation.
5. Contact Your Attorney
The probability of you getting injured in a hit-and-run accident is very high. The injuries may leave you with substantial medical bills and other damages. Once the driver is determined to be at fault, you have an automatic right to file a claim against their liability insurance. Contacting an attorney is crucial to ensure that your claims against the insurance and the liable party are paid fairly and without any delays.
Take It Step by Step
What you do after an accident has a direct effect on your health and claim afterward. Ensure that you do not cause yourself more injuries and follow all the steps above to make the process easier. Try to relax and take everything step by step.
