People who have been injured in a hit and run accident, often face unique obstacles.
If the accident is severe, you could be left alone with significant injuries for a long period of time.
When the responsible driver does not stay at the scene, 911 may not be called quickly.
As a result, you may be dealing with permanent disabilities that could have been prevented with prompt medical attention.
In addition to worsening injuries, hit and run accident victims often face difficulties obtaining compensation after an accident.
Insurance companies are often reluctant to pay until it is determined that the responsible driver will not be found.
This can leave accident victims in financial strains as they struggle to pay their mortgages, bills, and living expenses after an accident.
What to Do if You are the Victim of a Hit and Run
A person who leaves the scene of the accident generally does so because he or she isintoxicated, uninsured, or has a warrant out for their arrest.
In other cases, a driver—particularly a teen or otherwise inexperienced driver—may panic and leave the scene.
When a driver leaves the scene of the accident, it can be much more difficult to recover compensation for damages.
If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, the first thing you should do (if you are medically able) is to call the police and report the incident.
Not only will this action facilitate your claims process, the incident will be officially documented.
Make notes of as much information regarding the accident as you can remember including the make, model and color of the vehicle and any identifying characteristics of the driver, if you were able to see him or her.
How an Attorney Can Help Victims
You should next contact an experienced car accident attorney who can help bring the guilty hit-and-run driver to justice.
If the hit-and-run driver is never located, your attorney can pursue a settlement through your insurance company via your uninsured motorist policy.
An experienced attorney understands that the injuries you have suffered as a result of the hit-and-run driver are difficult enough to deal with without dealing with wondering how you will pay your medical expenses.
You may have the right to pursue justice in both criminal and civil court—a decision your attorney can help you make.
Your attorney will fight for the maximum compensation you are entitled to, even arguing for punitive damages when warranted due to the malice involved in a hit-and-run accident.
Your injuries can have a lasting physical and/or financial impact on your future; the best way to offset that impact is to speak to an attorney as soon as possible .
