A hit-and-run car accident is when a driver causes an accident through negligent behavior, such as speeding, distracted driving, and drunk driving, and fails to stop to accept responsibility. They speed away from the scene of the accident to avoid responsibility, leaving someone with potentially life-threatening injuries without taking the blame for causing the accident.
Victims of hit-and-run car accidents can experience significant damages, such as medical bills, property damage, and loss of enjoyment of life. Without the contact information of the at-fault party, it can be hard to hold them accountable for paying for your economic and non-economic damages.
However, there are still some steps hit-and-run car accident victims should take to report the accident, recover compensation from their insurance, and put themselves in a position to file a car accident claim if the at-fault party is found.
What is a Hit-and-Run Car Accident?
Car accidents involve two or more cars crashing into each other, ordinarily after one driver commits a negligent driving action that exposes the others to injury risk.
One type of car accident is a hit-and-run, which involves a driver crashing into someone and fleeing the scene. Normally, drivers that commit negligent driving actions, such as reckless driving, speeding, and running red lights, will flee the scene to avoid the consequences of their actions.
Drivers that cause car accidents through negligent behavior can be held liable for damages in a car accident claim. If they leave without exchanging contact information, the negligent driver can attempt to avoid the legal and criminal fallout of their unlawful actions.
Collect Evidence at the Scene of a Hit-and-Run Car Accident
Following a car accident, there are many steps to take to help with your physical health and legal situation. After a hit-and-run accident, staying at the scene of the accident to collect evidence is vital for victims. While you do not know who caused the accident and will struggle to file a claim, it’s still important to have this evidence should the situation change.
The at-fault party may come to light after law enforcement looks at video footage of the accident or conducts a thorough investigation. After learning who the at-fault party is, you could file a car accident claim to recover compensatory damages. Should this happen, it’s essential to have evidence that proves you suffered damages because of their negligence.
Some evidence you could collect at the scene of the hit-and-run accident that could help later includes videos and photos of the property damage, your severe injuries, skid marks, other destroyed property, and traffic control signals in the area.
Hit-and-Run Victims Should File a Police Report
One of the most important steps after a hit-and-run accident is filing a police report. Hit-and-run car accidents are a legal issue because the at-fault party caused the accident through reckless behavior and refused to stay to take responsibility. The police can help collect evidence, complete an investigation, and potentially find the at-fault party.
Hit-and-run car accident victims should pull their car safely off the road and call 911. The responding officer can get your side of the story and use evidence at the scene of the accident to begin their investigation. The officer will write down all the important details they find on a police report, which you can access later to help prove the at-fault party’s liability.
Write Down Everything You Remember from the Hit-and-Run Car Accident
It’s also important to make note of everything that you remember from the hit-and-run car accident. This can include the make and model of the car that caused the accident, where and when it occurred, and how the at-fault party caused the car accident. This information can help inform the police’s investigation and help them find the at-fault party who caused the accident.
It can also help to have this information if the at-fault party is found. It’s important to have a record of what happened to help keep your story straight in settlement negotiations or a court trial. Inaccuracies and inconsistencies in your story can affect your ability to recover compensation.
Contact Your Auto Insurance Provider After a Hit-and-Run Car Accident
If you cannot find out who caused the hit-and-run accident, your best chance to recover some compensation for your damages is through your auto insurance. You should contact your insurer to let them know what happened after the accident. They can inform you about what damages they can cover and how much compensation you could recover.
In most cases, auto insurance will cover a percentage of your medical bills and lost wages. If you have property damage insurance, that can help pay for repairs for damage caused by the car accident.
Hit-and-Run Accident Victims Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
Recovering compensation for hit-and-run damages can be complicated, especially without knowing who the at-fault party is. However, hiring a car accident lawyer can help with the car accident claim process if you find out who they are. They will have vast experience litigating these types of claims and can apply their expertise to your case.
Car accident victims can experience economic and non-economic damages affecting their physical health, financial situation, and quality of life. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you recover compensatory damages by determining the at-fault party, collecting evidence, and negotiating a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance provider.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Hit-and-Run Car Accident Claim
The car accident lawyers at The Russo Firm have helped victims recover compensation in places like Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and Scottsdale. If you suffered a severe car accident injury from a hit-and-run accident, we can help you through the process of filing a car accident claim to recover compensatory damages.
Our car accident lawyers can aid you as a trusted presence in your corner, advising you on the best path to take after a hit-and-run accident. Contact us for a free hit-and-run accident consultation today at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
