If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, call 911 first. When the police arrive, cooperate fully with them and ensure that a police report gets filed. Hold on to your copy of that report. This way, even if the person responsible for your injuries ran away, you maximize the likelihood that he can be caught later and held responsible. Plus, there are many insurance coverage options that only activate on your behalf if you follow proper procedures, like calling 911 and filing a police report.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident
Remember everything you can about the car that hit you, including the color and model. If you weren’t aware of the details at the time, try to remember where the driver was positioned relative to you. That might tell you roughly how high the driver was sitting in the car, which could jog your memory about whether it was an SUV or a low-rider. Remembering details as well as possible can help the police track down the hit-and-run driver. This can help future victims of that driver, and it can also help you maximize your chances of being able to sue this person in the future for your own injuries. Further, if he is a chronic hit-and-run driver, then depending on your jurisdiction, you may even be able to obtain twice or three times the damage amount if you win punitive damages.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Hit-and-Run Accidents
If a hit-and-run driver or an uninsured driver causes your neck injuries, your uninsured motorist coverage should pay for damages related to your neck injury and any other injuries. Uninsured motorist coverage is designed specifically to protect you in the event of an accident with someone with no liability insurance coverage. A hit-and-run driver is, for this purpose, usually treated the same way. The uninsured motorist coverage in your policy pays for medical treatment, rehabilitation, loss of wages and other damages. If you have this coverage but don’t know the details, or are unsure if you have this coverage, contact your auto insurance carrier to find out.
Getting Help after a Hit-and-Run Accident
If uninsured motorist coverage is not part of your insurance policy, it might be more difficult to recover anything from your insurance but your basic medical bills. Talk to an experienced personal injury attorney in your state to find out if you have a chance to recover what your hit-and-run accident claim is worth. You may have your case assessed for free by completing the Free Advice case evaluation form, which involves no cost and no further obligation.