4 Key Things to Do After a Hit and Run Car Accident
Around 682,000 hit and run crashes happen per year in the U.S., according to experts. Each hit and run car accident is a dangerous situation where someone can get hurt, or worse. These kinds of crashes are treated seriously by the law because they can be so severe.
So, if you’re in one, it can be hard to know what to do after a hit and run. First and foremost, you need to make sure you are safe and that you don’t have any serious injuries. Immediately call 911 after any kind of crash and follow their instructions.
After doing that, follow the steps below to start building a case and bringing the person who crashed into you to justice.
1. Call For Help and Find a Safe Place If You Can
The first thing to do is make sure you, and anyone else in your car, are safe. Inspect yourself and make sure there are no cuts or injuries, and if there are, start treating them. Find something sanitary to stop any bleeding, and if you feel pain in your back or head, try not to move at all.
If you can, you should also ask if anyone else in the car was injured. If someone shows clear signs of injury, such as unconsciousness or bleeding a lot, start putting pressure on any wounds. Call 911 immediately while checking for injuries and follow any instructions they give you.
If your car can still move, 911 may ask you to pull into the shoulder to avoid blocking traffic. Only do this if it is safe to do so, though.
2. Document Any Damage and Injuries
Immediately after checking for injuries and giving medical help, you should start documenting them. Take pictures of cuts and lashes. If you can, also make sure to take pictures of the damage to the car.
These photos will be invaluable when building personal injury cases. A judge will see these pictures and realize that the defendant saw these same things. Only, instead of stopping to help, they kept driving.
3. Record Evidence of a Hit and Run Car Accident
After taking pictures of damage and injuries, start building up evidence that the person intentionally drove away from the crash. If there are tire marks showing where they went, take pictures of it. Also, make a note of nearby traffic lights or businesses.
These may have security cameras that could have recorded the crash. Most of the time, authorities may be able to get recordings of the crash to be used in court. A video can be the most effective kind of evidence when suing for a hit-and-run crash.
4. Reach Out to an Attorney and Your Insurance
The final step after your car is towed and you file a police report is to reach out to an attorney. You will want to find someone experienced with cases like these. You will also want someone who has experience working in your area.
The best attorneys will also make sure you are okay first and foremost. They may connect you to treatment facilities for any injuries or may connect you to someone who can help with the mental trauma you may have gotten. Plus, they may also talk about how much money you can receive in damages.
Click here for an example of a lawyer that matches what most people would be looking for after a hit-and-run crash.
Car Crashes Can be Dangerous
It doesn’t matter if you’re in a hit-and-run car accident or any other kind of crash — they are dangerous. People can get hurt in a car crash, and so they are treated seriously by the law. Police will look for cars matching the description you provide, trying to find the person responsible.
In the meantime, you need to do two things. First, you need to start building up your case. And second, you need to take of yourself and recuperate from the crash.
And for information to help you with both, just keep reading our website.
