What To Do If You Were Injured in a Hit-and-Run Accident

A hit and run occurs when a driver gets in an accident and leaves the scene without stopping to share legal identification and exchange insurance information.

Identifying a hit-and-run driver typically requires a thorough investigation of the accident and may require obtaining witness statements, obtaining video footage from nearby security cameras, and doing investigative work to determine the whereabouts of the driver before and after the accident. While the officer at the scene will document what happened by collecting witness statements and your contact information,  a skilled and proven personal injury lawyer can help you achieve a better outcome than if you go it alone.

Sometimes it is not possible to identify the hit and run driver, and sometimes the hit and run driver does not have insurance.  If you can’t identify the driver, or if the driver is uninsured, then your best source of coverage for your injuries is likely your own insurance policy.  Your insurance policy may include uninsured/under-insured motorist (UIM) coverage, which means that you are covered by your own insurance policy for injuries caused by uninsured or under-insured motorists.

Just because you have UIM insurance does not mean that your insurance company will pay you the full value of your claim.  Insurance companies are driven by profit and will do everything in their power to avoid financial responsibility.  Your insurance company may deny you coverage even if you are entitled to it under your policy.  As such, we recommend contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer before you contact an insurance company.  A skilled attorney will file your UIM claim correctly, maximize your recovery and take your case to court if the insurance company wrongfully denies or reduces your claim.

If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, you probably have a lot of questions about what to do next.  Here are some practical steps you can take to protect your legal rights:

• Take photos of the accident and all vehicles involved.
• Record the license plate numbers of all vehicles involved.
• Record everything you remember about the driver (unique identifying characteristics) and a vehicle description (color, make, model, unusual features).
• Identify witnesses and record their contact information.
• Record the exact time and place of the accident.
• Call the police and obtain a police report.
• Immediately seek treatment for all injuries.
• Keep accurate records of the event and all medical treatment received.
• Contact a top personal injury lawyer before you contact your insurance company.