How To Protect Yourself In A Hit And Run Accident
Most states require that anyone involved in a car accident has to stop at the scene of the crash.
However, people flee the scene of car accidents all the time.
Even after knowingly causing property damage and injuries, hit and run drivers are becoming all too common.
Hit and run accidents can be extremely frustrating to the victim and their families because they are left with property damage, injuries, and medical bills with no one to sue for their damages.
Hit and run accidents, like all motor vehicle accidents, aren't completely avoidable, but there are things you can do after your accident to protect yourself.
If you've been injured in a car wreck, it's important to contact a Nashville Car Accident Doctor.
In the article below, we will discuss how you can protect yourself after a hit-and-run accident.
Report the Hit-and-Run Accident
The absolute first thing you have to do after being in a hit-and-run accident is report it to the police.
A police officer will assess the accident scene, take down your side of the story, prepare a police report, and start their investigation into the accident.
Even if the police can't find the person behind your hit and run, their accident report can be submitted to your insurance company and used in your favor.
If you are lucky enough for them to find the driver, that person could face jail time, fines, and a driver’s license suspension, depending on the severity of the accident.
They will also be on the hook to pay for your damages.
Gather Information
All accidents, regardless of if they were hit and run or not, need to be investigated.
If you want the other driver to be held accountable for the crash, you first have to figure out who it was.
To do this, you need to write down as much information as possible and take pictures of the accident scene.
If you can remember any part of their license number, that needs to be written down right away.
You should also write down the make, model, and color of the car and any other identifying marks, like bumper stickers.
If you got a good look at the driver, write down their gender, race, weight, height, etc.
If there are any skid marks on the road or paint smears on your car, take pictures of them as well as all of the damage to your vehicle.
If any witnesses saw the accident, be sure to get their name and contact information.
We never advise chasing the person that hit you. While this can be effective at gathering information, it's also very dangerous and can prove to be fatal.
It's best to gather as much information from the scene as possible and wait for assistance from the police.
Call A Personal Injury Lawyer
Many people are hesitant to contact a personal injury lawyer after a car accident because they think it will be too expensive or that it will go faster if they handle it on their own.
However, insurance companies will take advantage of the fact that you are working without a lawyer and try to pay you much less than you deserve.
It's the job of your insurance adjuster to minimize the value of their claim or even deny you auto insurance coverage.
Personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you don't pay anything unless they win your case.
It's always in your best interest to talk to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to preserve your rights and enhance the value of your claim.
Seek Medical Attention
Everyone involved in hit-and-run crashes should seek immediate medical attention.
Even if you feel fine at the scene of the accident, there are still injuries, like whiplash, that can take days, weeks, or even months to start showing symptoms.
After your accident, getting evaluated by a doctor is the only way to ensure that your visible injuries are properly treated and that you don't have any injuries that have yet to show symptoms.
Seeking immediate medical care will also assist with your car accident claim.
When filing your claim, you will need to submit evidence that proves your injuries resulted from your hit-and-run accident.
The best chance to prove that is by submitting medical records as part of your claim.
You should never be burdened by medical expenses, especially if you weren't the at-fault driver.
Contact A Car Accident Chiropractor
Chiropractic care is excellent for treating whiplash and other hit and run crash injuries.
The chiropractors with Advanced Injury Care can diagnose and treat your injuries right away, so you can make a full recovery as quickly as possible.
They can also submit your medical records and bills to your insurance company.
And, if you were involved in a hit-and-run accident, they can refer you to an experienced personal injury attorney that can help you get the compensation you deserve.
If you're ready to start your road to recovery, contact AICC today by clicking the button below.