How To Handle A Hit And Run Situation?

A hit-and-run car accident situation can be incredibly stressful. On top of struggling with pain, many questions may cross your mind. Can you find the driver who hit you? Should you call the police? Do you need to contact an attorney? Can you recover from your injuries if you can't trace the driver? Because we can't predict accidents, crucial evidence may vanish quickly, especially in a hit-and-run situation.

The following are some crucial steps to take when you're a victim of a hit-and-run situation.

Health and Safety First

In any accident situation, consider giving safety and health a top priority. Do not ignore even a slight scratch or pain. Sometimes, even low-speed cars can cause severe injuries. If you discover any health issues, remain calm and call for help immediately. Also, evaluate your surroundings to ensure they're safe for you. If you doubt the area's safety, move to a safer area.

Recorded or Documented Any Evidence

Evidence is crucial in a hit-and-run situation. Accidents may come with memory loss and havoc. To avoid losing evidence amid the situation, consider writing down or recording everything that you can remember immediately. For instance, the model, make license plate, color, or shape of the car that hit you. Also, you can record your location, time, nearby amenities, or the car's direction. You can also make a short video recording of the area on your smartphone. This information can be helpful if given to the police and your attorney.

Call the Police

Calling the police is a crucial step in any accident situation. Don't assume it's useless just because it's a hit-and-run situation. A police report can either break or make a hit-and-run case. Besides, most insurance providers will require a police report before compensating an accident victim. The police will also help you collect more evidence, especially after they canvas the place to access any witnesses, debris, or surveillance video. 

Inform Your Attorney

If you want to be compensated for any injuries or damages resulting from a hit-and-run accident, you should consider working with an expert hit-and-run attorney. A professional car accident lawyer has access to records, resources, and strategies that can identify the hit and run car owner. Furthermore, an expert lawyer will help you get a decent settlement or compensation. You can visit lawampm.com for more info on how a personal injury attorney can help during a hit-and-run situation.

Notify Your Insurance Provider

If you're keen on reading the details of your auto insurance policy, you'll discover that there is a requirement that you report any accident on a specified day. You may be denied your claim if you fail to notify your insurance provider. However, do not give your insurance company any unnecessary or irrelevant information. Some companies may ask you targeted questions to make you the wrong party to reject your claims.

Now you know the crucial steps you should take when facing a hit-and-run accident. Remember, safety first, record any evidence, involve the police, notify the insurance provider and call your attorney to help you track the driver, build your claim and negotiate a decent settlement.