Accidents can happen at any time to anyone. Being involved in a car accident is not something that anyone would want to go through. It can even be stressful if the person involved fled from the scene. A hit and run accident is considered one of the most frustrating types of motor vehicle crashes. You can’t file an insurance claim, you aren’t insured – if at all – against liability, and your car may be totaled depending on how extensive the damage is. And the truth is,hit and run accidents happen more often than you think.
Hit-and-run accidents can cause huge inconvenience for any victim. In this situation, you should act quickly because every moment counts. Here are some tips on the best action to take after being in a hit-and-run car accident.
Check on your safety and your passengers
The very first thing to do after a hit-and-run car accident is to make sure that you are safe. Also, check on the safety of your passengers, if you have any. See if there is anyone injured. If there are injuries, call for help. Safety comes first before seeing the damages on the vehicle. Get out of the vehicle, especially if it is severely damaged. If the vehicle is in the way of traffic, you may take it to a safer location.
Collect information
If you and your passengers are safe and with no injuries, make sure that you collect vital information related to the accident. It is better if you can write everything down. This is to prevent giving information to the authorities based on memory alone. Try to remember as much information as you can. If you could get the license plate number of the other vehicle, it will be easier to track down the driver. You can write other information like the make of the vehicle, color and model, gender of the driver, and any marks or stickers on the vehicle. These will all be vital in the investigation.
Call the authorities
Call the police right away. Make sure that the police who arrive at the scene will make a thorough investigation. You can hand them the written information that you have so they can use it in their investigation. Also, ask for a copy of the investigative report.
Seek medical attention
Even if you feel you are not injured, you should get a medical examination. This is to ensure that there are injuries you might have incurred during the accident. This will also be an additional document that you can use for insurance claims.
File a claim
Proceed and file a claim with your insurance company. It is better if you file the claim right away. The insurance will cover the damages and injuries you have incurred from the hit-and-run car accident. The documents that you have will be useful in claiming your insurance.
Claiming from an insurance company can be complicated and time-consuming. Hiring an experienced attorney, especially those who have had hit-and-run car accident cases, will be a better step. They will help you with the legalities of your claims not just from the insurance but also from the person involved in the accident.
It is difficult to go through a hit-and-run situation. Though accidents are inevitable, you should know the best steps to take if ever you come across the situation. Keep in mind that your knowledge and awareness in situations like this will help you avoid further damage, troubles, and problems down the road.