I Was Involved in a Hit and Run Accident. Now what?
Getting hit by a driver who flees the accident scene can be a frustrating situation. What do you do now?
When you get into a car accident, you are legally supposed to stop at the scene and exchange information. You should also get medical help and wait for the police to arrive. Some drivers do not follow these laws, though. Instead, they keep on driving, hoping to elude the police and not get in trouble.
This is called a hit-and-run accident. Drivers may flee the accident scene for various reasons. Perhaps they are intoxicated. Maybe they have a warrant for their arrest. It could be that they do not have a driver’s license or insurance.
In any case, it is illegal. For the victims, it is a frustrating situation. The driver caused your injuries, and now they cannot be located, so how do you get compensation? Here is what to do after a hit-and-run crash.
Stay Put
Never follow the fleeing driver. You do not want to be accused of leaving the accident scene as well. Plus, you will miss getting witness accounts, and the police may question who is at fault.
Call for Help
Call 911 if you or someone else is injured. You should also call the police to the scene so they can assess the accident and file a report. This report can be useful for your insurance company when you file a claim.
Get as Much Information as Possible
While the other driver may have quickly left the accident scene, write down what you remember. This may include the vehicle’s make, model, and color, and the direction the vehicle was heading. Maybe you caught a few characters of the license plate number. Photos of the damage to your vehicle and the location and time of the accident can also be helpful.
Get Witness Accounts
If there are any witnesses, ask if they can supply additional information about the accident. Get their names and contact information so they can make a statement to your insurance company, if necessary.
File an Insurance Claim
Even if the driver is not found, you need to file a claim with your insurance company. There are a several coverages that can pay for the damage. For example, PIP will pay your medical bills, usually up to $4,500 and other bills. Collision coverage will pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it was involved in a collision with another object. You can make a claim regardless of fault.
There is also uninsured motor vehicle coverage, which will pay your damages including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and loss of function, or damages to your car if the at-fault driver does not have insurance or cannot be found. In fact, Kansas requires all drivers to have uninsured motor vehicle coverage.
If you are just reading this, think about getting good bodily injury coverage, as it covers this loss if you cannot find the other driver. If you only carry $25,000 in coverage, that is all you get for uninsured motorist coverage in a hit and run.
Contact Our Kansas Personal Injury Attorneys Today
Getting in a car accident is never a fun time. When one of the parties leaves the accident scene, it can make things more complicated.
You do not have to feel helpless. The Kansas personal injury attorneys at Neustrom & Associates can assess your situation. We can help ease your burden and help you get full and fair compensation. Schedule a free consultation by calling (785) 825-1505 or filling out the online form.