When you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident, it can be difficult to understand what happened. The idea that someone would just leave after an accident without knowing how others are affected is hard for most people to fathom. Whether you were hit while walking, biking, or driving, feeling overwhelmed is normal, given the traumatic nature of the event. However, you need to follow the proper protocol to preserve your rights and your ability to seek compensation in the future.
1. Seek Medical Attention
As soon as possible, you should seek medical attention. Call 911 if you have urgent medical needs or suffering from significant injuries. A personal injury lawyer Utah will always recommend that you take care of your medical needs before you do anything else to document the injuries you sustained as a result of the accident.
2. Involve Law Enforcement
Get the police involved right away. This will allow them to investigate the hit-and-run while the details and evidence are fresh. Although someone leaving the scene of the accident makes the investigation more difficult, it’s easier to find the assailant closer to the time of the incident. Be sure to get your report number and the name of the investigating officer.
3. Identify the Other Vehicle
This is not always easy to do in a hit-and-run accident, but you must recall as many details about the other vehicle as possible. This can include the vehicle color, identifying marks, dents, or stickers, license plate information, the make and model of the car, and the driver’s description. If you’re able, try to get photos of the car fleeing the scene. Also, take note of the time, the names of any businesses nearby, and if and where security cameras are located.
4. Contact Your Insurer
Notify your insurance provider that you’ve been in a hit-and-run. You’ll need to tell them what happened, what damages and injuries were incurred, and what steps you’ve already taken. Be sure to take down your claim number and any other pertinent information or instructions the representative gives you. Find out which mechanics or repair shops are in their network to eliminate having to be the middleman.
5. Consult an Attorney
Once all of the proper entities have been notified, it’s time to call an attorney. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner you can get started on claim negotiations. An attorney can give you actionable advice on how to proceed with your insurance provider and police.
6. Repair Your Vehicle
The longer you wait to repair your vehicle, the more likely the insurance company is to claim that the damages existed before the accident or happened after the hit-and-run. Keep receipts and invoices, and don’t let claims adjusters talk you down on how much your vehicle is worth if it’s deemed to be totaled.
7. Seek Ongoing Medical Care
Even if you feel okay directly after an accident, you should still keep an eye out for emerging symptoms and promptly notify your healthcare provider. Be sure to keep all of your follow-up appointments. Don’t downplay symptoms, either. Some things can be ongoing or persistent problems that you can be awarded damages for.
There are a lot of considerations to be made after a hit-and-run accident, and it can be a long and arduous road to recovery. Keeping what you’ve learned here in mind will help you better manage your expectations and focus on your recovery while your attorney handles the rest.
