Hit-and-run accidents are more common than you might think. To the driver or the pedestrian, who are the victims of hit and run, it can be a devastating and challenging experience. The question is, if you become a victim of a hit-and-run or get involved in a hit-and-run case, what should you do in such a scenario?
Read on to learn more.
Understanding the Basics: What Exactly is A Hit-And-Run
Now, firstly, you might want to understand what a hit-and-run case is. You should know that there are two different types of hit-and-run cases. You might be in a hit-and-run where you are in a vehicle, and some other driver hits your car with theirs. While you might be doing the right thing, stopping your vehicle and parking it on the side of the road, you will learn that the other driver has fled the scene.
However, sometimes, a person might not even know that they have hit you, and they keep going. But – from your perspective, it can certainly be a hit-and-run case.
Another typical case scenario is when you return to your parked car and see that it has been damaged. Someone might have rear-ended your car, and they take off, leaving your car damaged, just like that. The second scenario is a common one, whereas the first scenario can lead to serious injuries and even prove fatal.
What To Do When You Are Inside the Vehicle?
Now that you know about the typical scenarios of hit-and-run accidents, you should know what to do when you are in a more serious situation, which is when you are inside the vehicle.
Make Sure You Are Safe
The first thing you must do when you are in a hit-and-run accident while you are still in the car is to assess yourself and other passengers for injuries and ensure that everyone is fine. If someone is injured, call the ambulance and the police immediately. But – if everyone is okay, you might want to try and get a better look at the vehicle that is leaving the scene.
Try To Assess the Vehicle That is Leaving the Scene
Once you have ensured that everyone is fine, you might want to have a better look at the car that is leaving the scene. While you are at it, you might want to try to have a closer look at the following:
- Car model
- Car make
- License plate number
Meanwhile, also look for witnesses.
What Not to Do?
If you are like most people, you might be tempted to hit the gas pedal and speed after the escaping driver, but we don’t recommend doing so. Why, you might ask? Well, the reason is that you might cause another accident or you might make the situation worse. Let the police officers handle the situation for you. All you need to do at that time and moment is try to collect as much information as possible.
The information that you collect will help not only the police but also your attorney.
The Importance of Hiring An Attorney
While a hit-and-run accident isn’t your fault at all, you will still need an attorney from your respective state, such as the Las Vegas Hit and Run Accident Lawyer if you are from Las Vegas to represent you in court and to help your case by gauging the potential options that you have for recovering compensation for damages and your injuries. The skilled attorney will also help you make a claim with your own insurance provider for compensation.
They will also speak to potential witnesses and assess evidence to establish liability by identifying the at-fault driver.
Talk to Witnesses
If you are in a hit-and-run accident, you might want to get out and talk to potential witnesses. Ask people if they have seen anything and what they have seen. Get their information and their statements, as it will prove helpful to the police and your attorney. The thing is that if you can identify or if the police can identify who the driver was, it will help you enormously with your case.
Likewise, it is a good idea to look for nearby buildings, such as shops or businesses, as they are more likely to have surveillance cameras installed that can help you identify the driver’s vehicle that caused the accident and fled the scene.
File A Claim with the At-Fault-Driver’s Insurance
You might file a claim with the insurance of the at-fault driver to get compensation for injuries and damages. If their insurance company agrees that it was indeed their driver’s fault, then their property damage liability can help you fix your car. The point is that while you can totally use your own insurance, you would rather, as much as possible, not use your own insurance.
The thing is that the hit-and-run accident wasn’t your fault, and you don’t want to incur any out-of-pocket cash expenses.
What to Do If You Don’t Have Any Witnesses?
You might be in a situation where you got into a hit-and-run accident, and no one saw anything, which means that you don’t have any clues or witnesses. Now, in this scenario, you want to call your insurance agent first, as you can avail of a few different coverages that might help you out, such as personal injury protection. This aspect is also known as no-fault insurance. Under this insurance, you or anyone else inside your vehicle can get covered for their injuries.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage or Full Coverage
You might as well get coverage through uninsured motorist coverage – if it applies to you. So, if you are hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance or you cannot identify the driver, you can get coverage through this insurance.
Your second option could be full coverage, which is comprehensive coverage that protects your car in the event that it is totaled due to an accident that you had, including a hit-and-run accident. Also, if you just got a new car and are making payments on it, chances are that you will have full collision coverage.
However, if you are driving an older car model and you are not making any payments for the older car, then you cannot avail yourself of full coverage. To understand what your best options are, you might want to get in touch with a hit-and-run attorney as soon as possible so they can guide you about the next steps.
