A
car accident is a terrifying enough experience without the additional stress of being
abandoned at the scene by the driver who hit you. Unfortunately, hit and
run accidents happen all the time – according to Ameriprise, 10
percent of car accidents are classified as hit and run.
If you’ve been in an accident and the at-fault driver has fled the
scene, remain calm and follow these steps:
Call the police. You should immediately contact the police so that you can fill out an
accident report. This may be required by your insurance company.If you
or a passenger is injured, call for an ambulance if it is an emergency.
Take photos. Pictures and videos taken at the scene are valuable evidence. If you
are able to, photograph any visible injuries, the damage to your vehicle,
any tire marks or broken glass, and your surroundings. If you can recall
anything about the vehicle that hit you, write this information down before
you forget.
Look for witnesses. See if there is anyone nearby, such as a nearby store employee who may
have surveillance video. Take their names and contact information.
Contact a car accident attorney. You should get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your
options for compensation. If the driver is identified, you may be able
to take action against them directly. If he or she is never identified,
you may rely on your own UM/UIM coverage to reimburse you for your losses.
Our goal at Klein Frank, P.C. is to guide you through a stressful situation
towards a favorable outcome. Backed by more than 60 years of combined
legal experience, we are committed to the pursuit of justice on behalf
of the injured. When you need a strong advocate on your side, you can
count on our attorneys to fight for you.
