What to Know and Do After Hit-and-Run Accidents

If you're involved in a car accident where the other driver leaves the scene or your car is hit while you're away from it, such as when it's parked in a parking lot, the accident is called a hit and run. If you're injured in a hit-and-run accident, take all of the necessary steps and be aware of how courts handle personal injury lawsuits to put yourself in the best legal position.

At the Accident Scene

The most important thing to do when you're the victim of a hit-and-run accident is to get yourself and your vehicle to safety as soon as possible and call 911 if you or someone else was injured. Don't attempt to follow the driver - you could miss witnesses and put yourself in more danger from another accident.

You and your passengers' safety and wellbeing is the top priority, but once you're safe and help is on the way, try to write down any details about the other vehicle and driver while your memory is fresh.

Include the color and type of vehicle, which direction it was traveling, and any part of the license plate you remember. Write down the exact location, date, and time of the accident. If you can, take several photos of your vehicle and the accident scene.

Move around so that you have pictures from multiple angles. Include any relevant location markers, such as road signs or billboards, in the background to give more context to where your photos were taken.

Talk to witnesses around the scene of the accident in case any of them have additional information about the driver and vehicle that left the scene. Get witnesses' names and contact information in case the police or your insurance company want to talk to them.

After the Accident

If the police did not arrive at the accident scene when you called emergency services for help with injuries, report the accident to the police directly as soon as possible. Report any hit-and-run accident within 24 hours to give police the best chance to solve the crime and find the hit-and-run driver.

If you don't report a hit and run to the police, your insurance company might also consider you at fault for the accident, which can raise your premiums.

After you've contacted the police, call your insurance company's claim line if you didn't call them for assistance at the scene of the accident. Give your insurance agent as many details about the accident as you can so that your claim will be approved and paid out as quickly as possible.

If you were injured in the accident, take pictures of your injuries from multiple angles. Take initial pictures before you receive medical treatment, but if that isn't possible, just get pictures as soon as you can. Continue to take photos while you heal to help you present your personal injury case in court.

In Court

If the at-fault driver for a hit-and-run accident is found, they will most likely face criminal penalties for leaving the scene of an accident. If you were injured in the accident, you can also take the driver to court for civil damages to cover your medical bills, lost wages from time off work, or pain and suffering.

Many courts impose harsher civil penalties on drivers who cause an accident and then flee, so you might be entitled to more damages than you would have been if the driver who caused the accident had stayed at the scene.

Wegner & Associates represents personal injury victims in the Indianapolis, Indiana, area. If you've been injured in a hit-and-run accident, contact us today to set up a free consultation to discuss your case and determine what damages you might be entitled to.