Need help? Let’s talk :415-544-0115
Blog
What to Do If You Were Hurt in a Hit and Run Accident
Unfortunately, hit and run accidents are on the rise in the US. According to a study, there are on average 682,000 hit and run accidents occurring each year in America, with 737,100 occurring in 2015 alone. If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident in California, you’re likely unsure about what you should do.Â
Fortunately, our California law firm can help. The Law Offices of Scott Righthand have compiled this article to help you understand what you need to do if you were hurt in a hit and run accident. Continue reading if you would like to reduce the stress you are feeling and begin your journey towards seeking justice for your injuries.Â
Six Steps If You Were Hurt In A Hit And Run Accident
Although there are many things you will need to do after being involved in a hit and run accident, we have summed up six of the most important steps you need to take. If you undertake these steps, you have a higher chance of gaining compensation from the guilty hit and run driver.Â
1. Get Yourself To Safety
Immediately after being involved in a hit-and-run accident, you need to get yourself to safety if possible. If you are not injured too badly, either walk to a safe place or drive your car to an area that is out of the direct path of traffic. Not only will this ensure you’re not involved in another accident, but it will also ensure others will not get hurt.Â
2. Contact 911
After getting yourself to safety, you need to contact 911. Calling 911 will ensure you receive medical attention at the scene of the crime. When you call the emergency services, they will send an ambulance and a team of police officers.Â
When the officers arrive, you can tell them what happened so that they can file a police report. This report will be an important piece of evidence if you choose to initiate a lawsuit, so ensure you obtain a copy when it’s ready for collection.Â
3. Seek Medical Attention
Even if emergency personnel examined you at the accident scene, you should still seek medical attention. Firstly, if you seek medical attention, you will be making sure that all your injuries are attended to. Often people make the mistake of thinking they are fine only to discover days or weeks later that they were indeed injured during the hit and run accident.Â
Secondly, if you seek medical attention, you are ensuring that there is a record of the injuries you sustained during the hit and run accident. Like the police report, your medical records are vital evidence during a lawsuit.Â
4. Gather Evidence
Another important step you need to try and complete is gathering as much evidence as possible pertaining to the hit and run accident you were involved in.Â
Essentially, you need to get witness statements, take pictures of your injuries and the crime scene, and take video footage. You should also try to obtain CCTV footage of the accident, if any is available, as this could prove invaluable in a hit-and-run accident.Â
5. Contact Your Insurance Company
You will need to contact your insurer after being involved in a hit-and-run accident where you were hurt. However, be careful about what you say to your insurer as you don’t want them to think that you were at fault for the hit and run accident. The best time to contact your insurer would be after filing a police report and speaking with an attorney.
6. Speak With A Personal Injury Attorney
After a hit-and-run accident, it’s crucial to speak with your attorney. An attorney can gather the evidence you might not have access to and chase leads while you focus on recovering. Additionally, an attorney will be able to build a case against the person responsible for your injuries.Â
Contact A California Personal Injury Attorney To Discuss a Hit And Run Accident
Now you know what to do if you have been hurt in a hit-and-run accident. By following the steps outlined, you will have a much better chance of obtaining a fair settlement while gaining justice for your injuries. At the Law Offices of Scott Righthand, our California law firm has handled numerous hit-and-run accidents. This means that we know how to help you.Â
We will do everything in our power to follow all leads to ensure that the guilty driver is apprehended and made to pay for your injuries. When you’re ready to book a consultation with us, you can contact our team. The sooner you decide to get in touch with our firm, the quicker we can follow up on all leads to get you the justice you deserve.
