In the unfortunate event that you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, it is important to take certain steps. You may be injured and seeking medical attention right away, but what about your car and your losses? What if you were not the one driving at the time of the accident? What if you did not see who was driving and hit you?
These are all questions that will need answers, and a Tampa and Sarasota car accident lawyer can help. This article will teach you how to handle this difficult situation so you can feel more prepared should anything happen.
Step #1: Call the Police
If you are able to, call the police as soon as possible. This will help them get more information about what happened and if they can track down who was driving. Next, make sure you complete a police report. A police report is essential when it comes to filing for compensation with your uninsured motorist policy. Filing a report will also help your lawyer, as they can use this to demonstrate negligence and fault if necessary during the insurance process.
Step #2: Receive Medical Attention
If you are injured, it is important to get medical attention. Many people neglect their injuries and don’t take proper care of themselves in the days following an accident. This will only make your recovery more difficult.
Step #3: Gather Evidence
When it comes time for a case against the person responsible for your accident, there needs to be evidence that he or she has been negligent in some way. When an individual files a claim after being involved in a hit-and-run incident, they have the burden of proof on them – meaning they must prove that the fleeing driver was at fault.
Be sure to take pictures of any damage done (including to yourself) and gather any other evidence like witness statements about what happened if you can before you arrive at the hospital or talk with law enforcement personnel.
Step #4: Call Your Insurance Company
If you were the one driving, it is important to call your insurance company immediately. If you were a passenger in a hit-and-run crash, you might need to go through your own or the driver’s insurance, depending on the circumstances. If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your insurance policy, it may cover you for an accident with a hit-and-run driver.
Step #5: Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been injured, it may be time to hire a personal injury lawyer. This will help you get the compensation that is rightfully yours, whether or not the fleeing driver is located.
Do You Need to Hire a Reputable Tampa Personal Injury Law Firm?
As you can see, being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be a complicated situation, especially if not handled properly. It’s important to know that there are ways to move forward with this type of case, no matter who was driving or how severe your injuries were, as long as you have the right assistance from a Sarasota car accident lawyer. Contact us at Matthews Injury Law today to schedule an initial consultation.
