It’s important to note that hit-and-run accidents are not exactly uncommon. According to the Insurance Information Institute, millions of Americans are involved in hit-and-run cases annually.
If someone hits you and flees then it’s a hit-and-run case. For legal help, you need someone who’s experienced in car accidents and hit-and-run cases specifically. Often, you’ll be finding yourself consulting with a criminal defense lawyer if you’ve been on the other side of the case, having hit someone and fled the scene.
When you’re involved in a car accident, it can be difficult to know what to do. You may be afraid that the other driver will try to blame you for the collision. If another driver hits your car, how should you handle the situation? What should you say and do if you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident?
If you find yourself involved in a hit-and-run accident, you should immediately take steps to protect yourself from further harm. Here are some tips for what to do if you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident:
Call 911
Call 911 and report the incident as soon as possible. If possible, give the dispatcher all of your details, including your location and the make and model of the vehicle that hit you. Make sure to note any damage done by the collision and any injuries sustained. The dispatcher can then alert police officers at the scene so they can investigate further.
If possible, contact the other driver immediately. Do this by calling 911 or calling a local police station or sheriff’s department. Give them your name and address, as well as the license plate number of the other vehicle. If possible, take notes on what happened so that you can describe it later without getting upset or losing your temper.
When you call 911, tell them what happened and what direction the suspect vehicle took. Tell them that you saw the suspect vehicle driving away from where you were, and describe it as best as possible. Include vehicle make, model, and license plate number if possible. If possible, take a photo of the damage to your vehicle and mail it to your local police department along with a note saying what happened and why you think it was intentional.
Don’t delay contacting the police until after they arrive at your location. By waiting until then, you risk losing valuable time in which police could investigate further information about the accident and identify witnesses who might have seen what happened. If someone helps you contact the police before they arrive on the scene, let them know so that they can pass this information along to officers who need it most!
Don’t forget that, in this case, you’ll also need the help of an expungement lawyer to get the record fixed so that there’s no trouble in the future.
Collect information
Inform other drivers of what happened and ask them to contact the police at once as well. It’s also helpful if they can call 911 on their own phones (in case you cannot) so that police have more information at hand when investigating the incident.
Stay calm and collect evidence if possible – but only if it does not put you or others at risk (for example, if there are children around). This includes taking photos of anything related to the accident.
File a report
If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident, you have the right to file a report. In most cases, you can simply go to the police station and file your report. However, if your injuries are severe or if you believe that there are other people involved in the accident, then you should contact an attorney who specializes in personal injury law.
You will need to fill out a police report form (which includes the name and address of the driver responsible for causing the accident) and provide it with your contact information so that officials can follow up on your case. In most cases, this information is kept confidential unless there is an open investigation.
After filing your report, make sure to let all parties know about any injuries or damages that may have occurred as a result of this incident. You should also let everyone know that they can contact your attorney if they feel that they have been injured or have suffered any damages as a result of the accident.
What to do if someone hits my car and flees?
If you’ve been in a situation like this, your first question is likely along the lines of what to do after a hit-and-run accident.
Also, know that if someone hits your car while it’s parked in your driveway or garage, this will likely not be treated as a hit-and-run because there was no chance for anyone to get hurt. However, if someone decides to intentionally run over your car while it’s parked on a public street or highway, they are considered responsible for any damages they caused by doing so.
Your best bet is to go for someone experienced in hit-and-run cases as well as car accident lawsuits. For example, attorneys from a reputable law firm such as Stracci Law Group can help you find the relevant evidence and argue on your behalf professionally to ensure maximum compensation.
Wrapping up
A hit-and-run case has some very clear steps: get medical attention if someone was injured, call 911, collect evidence and take pictures, and ultimately, file a report when you get the time.
