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It can be very upsetting to find yourself involved in a car accident. With possible vehicle damage and physical injuries, an accident could cost you a lot of time, energy, and money. Luckily, if the person responsible for the accident had auto insurance, their policy can help to cover your damages. Unfortunately, sometimes the driver responsible for the accident doesn’t stay on the scene long enough for you to obtain their insurance information. Sometimes drivers will perform a hit-and-run accident without ever being found. However, there are still ways in which you may still be able to recover damages. Here are steps to take if you are a victim of a hit-and-run accident.
1. Call 9-1-1- for help.
When you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident, it’s important that you call 9-1-1- for an ambulance to come to the scene and treat any injuries that you may have. You will also request that a police officer come to the scene in order to create an accident report. Accident reports are so important because they help to serve as tangible evidence and may help to bolster your claims as to what transpired. They also often contain not only drawings or pictures of the scene of the accident and the officer’s belief of what happened, but also witness statements. Accident reports can be of great help whether or not you ever locate the other driver.
2. Seek immediate medical attention.
After being involved in a hit-and-run accident, you may likely have suffered an injury. Some injuries, such as whiplash, are very common in auto accidents. However, it’s important that you are checked out regardless of how injured you currently feel or know yourself to be. This is because you could be suffering from non-obvious or internal injuries, such as a concussion or organ injury. Additionally, by seeking medical attention you are creating a medical record of your injuries, which can be beneficial in proving damages later on.
3. Contact your insurance carrier.
Most auto insurance policies require that drivers notify the insurance company of any accidents within a short period of time, such as one to two days from the time of the crash. Aside from most reporting being mandatory, you may help yourself to receive compensation from your own carrier by doing so. The bad news is that depending upon the severity of the accident, sometimes the minimum car insurance coverage you had to purchase will not cover your damages. The good news is that if you have an uninsured motorist insurance policy, it can help to protect you against drivers who lack the coverage or money to pay for your damages.
4. Call a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney.
There’s no doubt that hit-and-run accidents carry their own separate aggravating circumstances. Suffering damages in a hit-and-run accident can massively impact your life. When you are already dealing with your property damage and physical recovery, the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re going to find the person at fault or pay for everything. That’s why consulting with a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney can be so beneficial.
The Attorneys at Bradford Law Help Those in Charlotte Who Have Been Injured in an Accident
If you have been injured in an accident, your first priority is getting the medical care you need to heal and get back on track. But you also deserve compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other harms and losses. That’s why it’s in your best interest to consult with a qualified North Carolina personal injury attorney.
At Bradford Law we will work tirelessly to hold the responsible party accountable and get you meaningful compensation. We have comprehensive knowledge of the applicable negligence and insurance laws and will put those laws to work for you. We understand the lasting impact a serious injury can have on you and your family and will make sure that all of your medical and financial needs are met. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!
