After a hit-and-run accident, not only are you left to deal with injuries and vehicle damage, but the at-fault driver has fled the scene, avoiding taking responsibility. While this may seem like a hopeless situation, there are important steps you can take to protect your rights and improve the chances the at-fault driver will be held accountable.
Report the Accident Immediately
The first thing you should do after a hit-and-run collision is report it to the police as soon as possible. Provide the police with all relevant details, such as the approximate time and location of the accident, any identifying details about the at-fault vehicle you were able to get, and the direction they drove off in. Ask any witnesses to stay at the scene to provide statements.
Even if the damage appears minor and you were able to drive away, make sure to report the accident. The police report creates an official record and gives authorities a paper trail to start investigating and tracking down the at-fault driver. This will assist your car accident injury lawyer.
Seek Any Available Surveillance Footage
In today’s world, there’s a good chance a hit-and-run collision occurred within range of a security camera or other surveillance system. Business parking lots, intersections, toll booths, and residential areas commonly have security cameras installed.
Your lawyer can ask nearby property owners or managers if they have exterior cameras that may have recorded footage of the accident. If there is any security footage, ask for a copy to provide to the police. Video evidence can be crucial to identifying and finding the at-fault driver.
Get Witness Statements and Contact Info
If there were any witnesses present at the scene, obtain their names, phone numbers, addresses, and written statements. Witnesses can provide police with descriptions of the at-fault vehicle, the driver, and even license plate numbers.
Ask witnesses to write down everything they recall while it’s still fresh in their minds. Multiple eyewitness accounts help corroborate your version of how the accident occurred.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Even if your injuries seem minor in the immediate aftermath, it’s important to get examined by a doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms from injuries like whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue damage sometimes take a while to show. An immediate medical evaluation will identify any injuries sustained so you can get appropriate treatment right away.
The medical records will also document your injuries to support an insurance or legal claim against the at-fault driver once they are found.
Document the Scene Thoroughly
Use your smartphone or camera to take photos of the accident scene before anything is moved or changed. Capture images showing the position of the vehicles, skid marks, debris, and any property damage. Photograph your injuries as well.
Thorough photo documentation provides visual evidence for the police, insurance companies, and court if necessary. Make sure to take wide shots to establish the overall scene as well as close-ups of relevant details.
File a Police Report
After reporting the accident, follow up to get a copy of the official police report as soon as it is available. The police report contains important details such as the officer’s assessment of what occurred, witness statements, and evidentiary findings that may help identify the at-fault driver.
Having the police report in your records ensures the information is available to share with your insurance company so your claim is handled promptly and accurately.
Consult an Attorney
Rather than contacting the insurance company, talk to a personal injury accident attorney first. A personal injury lawyer can take over the case for you.
Speaking with an experienced Hit & Run Injury Attorney El Paso TX is highly recommended after a hit-and-run accident. An attorney can help protect your rights in several ways. They can interact with insurers on your behalf, thoroughly investigate the accident, determine all available avenues for compensation, preserve evidence, and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if they are eventually identified and located.
Additional Steps to Aid the Investigation
There are some additional proactive steps you can take to help the police investigation and improve the chances the at-fault driver is identified. Drive around the area where the hit-and-run occurred over the next several days to see if you spot a vehicle with fresh damage that could match the collision.
Also, check local auto body shops to ask if anyone brought in a car with damage consistent with the accident in the past day or two. They may be able to provide information to the police without violating privacy policies.
You can also file a claim with your own auto insurance policy’s uninsured motorist coverage. This gets your claim started so you can get compensated for injuries and vehicle damage while the search for the hit-and-run driver continues. If they are eventually found, your insurer will then seek repayment from the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Putting Up a Reward
Offering a reward for information leading to the identity of the hit-and-run driver provides an extra incentive for witnesses to come forward. You can post reward flyers around the area where the accident happened. Also, contact local media to see if they will report on the hit-and-run and mention the reward.
Getting the word out about the reward this way applies more public pressure to find the responsible party. Just make sure to work closely with the police department on any reward program so as not to hinder their investigation.
Being the victim of a hit-and-run is an upsetting violation of your rights. Following these steps will help ensure evidence is preserved, the at-fault driver is held accountable if found, and you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages. With the right response, justice is still attainable.
Remember, you don’t need to go through this awful experience alone. Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer EI Paso TX about your hit and run accident. They can offer advice and help you file a lawsuit against the guilty party. Even if one driver fled the scene, there might still be other liable parties involved in the accident.
Contact Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys for advice today.
You can reach us at 800-4THE-WIN (800-484-3946).
