Have you ever been involved in a hit and run accident? They are more common than you might think. Accident lawyers are there to advise us in this type of situation, but it can be helpful to be aware of these 8 things you should do after a hit and run accident.
1. Don’t flee the scene of the accident
If someone hit you or your car, and then left the scene of the accident, don’t make the same mistake. Stay at the scene of the accident, and assess the situation. Even if you have not been injured and if your car is not too damaged, you will need to report the accident.
2. Call an ambulance if you are injured
If you need medical attention, call an ambulance immediately, or ask someone else to do it for you. If you have been severely injured, you need to ask for help as soon as possible. Maybe a passenger of your car, or a witness will report the accident for you.
3. Write down the details of what happened
If you have not been injured, stay away from the traffic and take a moment to write down any detail you can remember, like the colour and model of the car that hit you. Did you get to see their license plate number? Did you see the direction they took when they left?
4. Call the police to report the accident
Call the police so they will come to the scene of the accident, and write an accident report. Tell them everything you remember about the car that hit you, so they can try to identify the driver at fault. They will take pictures of the damage done to your car, but you can also take your own.
5. Talk to any witness of the accident
While the police is there, make sure you talk to any witness of the accident. They might be able to give you some precious information about what happened, and about the car that left the scene of the accident.
6. Ask for the names and contact information of witnesses
Before you leave the scene of the accident, be sure to ask for the names and contact information of witnesses. You never know what might happen, and you might need to talk to them again if ever the police identifies the driver responsible for the hit and run.
7. Get in touch with an accident lawyer
Whether or not the police finds the driver at fault, you might need to get some advice from an experienced accident lawyer. Accident lawyers know how to help hit and run victims get the fair compensation they deserve, so be sure to speak with an accident lawyer.
8. Contact your insurance company
You will also need to contact your insurance company to file a claim. If the driver responsible for the hit and run accident is never found, the compensation you receive will depend on the type of insurance coverage you have.
