How To Deal With A Hit And Run Accident

Hit and run accidents can be difficult to deal with due to the lack of clarity. When other types of accidents occur, both drivers are present, making it easy to determine who is at fault. The driver who was hit and is not at fault can file a police report. The two can also exchange information and handle the issue. Drivers cannot do this when involved in a hit and run incident. Although leaving the scene of an accident is illegal, many drivers still conduct hit and runs. Therefore, drivers like yourself need to learn how to deal with them. 

Call The Police

The first step to take when getting hit by another driver who has taken off is to call the police. While on the phone, explain your condition to the person on the other line. The 911 dispatcher can instruct you on how to handle any injuries you have and how to get yourself to safety. At the same time, they will notify the authorities who will proceed to travel to your location. When they arrive, explain to them what happened without interfering with any work they are doing at the scene. This step is especially crucial because the process of filing an insurance claim goes much smoother when you have a police report on file. Keep this in mind when you are dealing with a hit and run accident. 

Write Down Details You Remember

After you call the police, write down any details you remember regarding the hit and run accident. If you can remember the make and model of the vehicle that hit you, write it down. Try to visualize the license plate of the vehicle. If you can remember the state that the driver lives in, it could be helpful information in court. According to Matthew Hand, a hit and run attorney in Denver, “hit and run charges can be uniquely difficult for the district attorney to prove.” Drivers who can recall the license plate numbers have a higher chance of getting their deductibles reimbursed or winning a lawsuit. Any details are helpful, which is why you need to write down any that you remember directly after a hit and run accident. 

Take Photos For Evidence

Furthermore, take photos of the accident scene to document it for evidence. While the other driver might not be present, you can still photograph your vehicle to portray the amount of damage that was done to it. That way, you can still receive capital from the driver who hit you even if the authorities do not catch them until after your vehicle has been repaired. Moreover, you can prove that you were in a hit and run accident to your insurance company if you have pictures to use as proof. In addition to taking pictures of your vehicle and the surrounding scene, also take photos of yourself if you have any injuries. This, too, can assist you in pressing charges once the police find the other driver. It is much easier to deal with a hit and run accident when you have photos as evidence. 

Look For Witnesses

Witnesses can also assist drivers in dealing with hit and run accidents. While you might not remember the details of the vehicle that hit you, a witness might. A third party who watched the accident occur at a distance typically has a clearer mind than someone who was involved in the accident. Therefore, they are more likely to think to look at the license plate of the driver who left the scene. Individuals who saw the accident happen also make great witnesses in court. For these reasons, look for witnesses and obtain their contact information when handling a hit and run accident. 

Contact Your Insurance Company

Lastly, contact your insurance company to properly deal with a hit and run accident. If you want to get coverage for both your vehicle damages and medical bills, report the accident to your insurer. Unfortunately, your insurance company needs to handle all of the coverage since you do not have another driver’s policy to go through. Because no other insurance company is involved, you will have to pay a deductible for the accident. After all, insurance companies cover hit and run accidents through collision coverage. Contact your insurance company to get the full details regarding your plan and the coverage you can receive after being involved in a hit and run incident.

In order to prepare yourself for the unfortunate event of being involved in a hit and run accident, you need to follow a series of steps. Firstly, call the police and get yourself to safety. Then, write down any details about the vehicle that hit you. Take photos of your vehicle and any injuries you received to use as evidence. Look for witnesses and obtain their contact information. Finally, contact your insurance company to get coverage for the accident. Take these steps to deal with a hit and run accident appropriately.