What Should You Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

It’s shocking and terrifying to be in any collision, especially when the other driver drives off and leaves you to deal with the damages alone. There are measures you may take to facilitate the claim process and maximize your financial recovery if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident. You can still seek monetary compensation if you were injured but don’t know who caused it.

What Is A Hit and Run Accident

In a car crash, if the negligent motorist doesn’t stop to take responsibility and provide assistance, the occurrence is considered a hit-and-run. To ensure the safety of everyone on the road, the federal government enacted a hit-and-run law that makes it illegal for drivers to flee the scene of an accident without exchanging information with the other driver(s) and filing a police report. 

To apply for free, call (877) 735-0016

What To Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident

Generally, it’s a major crime to flee the scene of an accident in which someone was hurt. Regrettably, not everyone abides by the regulation. It’s very uncommon for the other motorist to flee the scene of an accident, especially if they were driving under the influence or didn’t have insurance. Here’s what to do if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident:

Seek Medical Care for Your Injuries

Even if you think your injuries are minimal, you should always be checked out at the hospital following an accident. In addition to the obvious benefits to your health, being checked out is necessary for any personal injury claim you could file. Seeing a doctor after an accident will help you prove that you treated and documented your injuries seriously. Both are crucial in supporting your case for personal injury compensation.

Alert the Proper Authorities

Contact emergency services immediately if you haven’t. Do not wait for several hours before informing the authorities of the accident. Even if no one is hurt, reporting the incident for legal and insurance reasons is still important. Obtaining a report copy is important if your insurance company asks for proof of the incident.

Complete a Free Application form now

Record Vital Information

While waiting for authorities to come, write down whatever details you can recall about the other motorist and their vehicle. Here are a few things to jot down:

• License plate information, make, model, color, damage, identifiable characteristics, and the other car’s direction of movement.
• Give details about the other driver, such as their sex, race, hairstyles and color, distinctive traits, and clothing.
• The accident’s date, place, and reason
• Take pictures of the damage to your car (including any paint from the other vehicle that could be on yours).
• Snapshots from the scene

Seek out any potential eyewitnesses and inquire about any information they may have. It is important to have the contact information of any witnesses who can help with a police complaint in case the authorities need to contact them later.

Notify Your Insurance Company

The next step is to call your insurance company and submit a claim. Each insurance company is unique. While some policies stipulate a 24-hour time limit for filing claims, others may offer you up to 30 days. In any case, start the procedure right away while the details are still fresh in your mind. 

In addition, your insurance company can contact you with a roadside assistance service. After you’ve submitted a claim, the insurance company will investigate whether or not they will pay. Later on, we’ll talk more about how insurance deals with hit-and-runs.

Don’t Leave the Accident Scene

Don’t leave the site of an accident if you were involved in a hit-and-run with another motorist. Do not pursue the other motorist out of spite, placing yourself in harm’s way. If you’ve been in an accident, even if it’s just with one automobile, wait where you are until the authorities come. If you’re unharmed and your car is still drivable, it could be tempting to head home for a while to cool off. 

But it’s illegal to flee the site of an accident, so you should stay there until the police tell you to go. Depending on the circumstances, leaving the scene of an accident might be punished as a misdemeanor or felony. Consider leaving the accident site only if you are in an area with poor mobile phone service. You can usually leave the scene to contact the police, but you’ll have to return after they arrive.

Does Auto Insurance Cover Hit-And-Run Accidents?

Insurance often covers medical bills and car repairs after an accident involving numerous vehicles. You may find it more difficult to file a claim with your insurance company after a hit-and-run accident since you do not have the other driver’s information. But it doesn’t mean your insurance won’t help you out. Each state has its own set of regulations regarding car insurance, and each insurance company has its policy on hit-and-run cases. Uninsured motorist coverage and collision coverage are two insurance options.

Collision coverage: If your car is damaged in a collision with another vehicle or an object, or if it rolls over, collision insurance will pay to have it fixed or replaced. Even if the other motorist is not identified, you can file a claim on your insurance.

Uninsured motor coverage: If the motorist who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance or if the driver’s identity is still unknown, uninsured motor vehicle coverage assists in covering medical costs, missed income, and vehicle damages (depending on the laws in your state). Not all states offer this type of protection. There is a risk of becoming uninsured in the case of a hit-and-run if neither you nor the insured driver have this coverage.

What Is The Time Limit For Reporting A Hit-And-Run?

The insurance you choose will determine the response to this inquiry. When filing a claim for a hit-and-run accident, some insurance providers may require you to do so within 24 hours, whereas some may grant you more time.

Need Car Accident Lawsuit Funding? Call Us Today!

A hit-and-run accident can put you in a difficult financial situation. Thankfully, getting lawsuit funding for your auto accident claims may be right for you. Contact us  at High Rise Financial today to schedule a simple consultation. Our experienced settlement loan specialists can enlighten you about your legal funding options and walk you through the application process.

Call or text (877) 735-0016 or fill out our form to apply today for free.