Hit-and-run accidents can be frightening and confusing. When the driver responsible leaves the scene, you will undoubtedly have questions about what to do next. Despite the added complexities of cases like these, personal injury attorneys are adept at gathering evidence and guiding you through the legal process to secure what you are owed for any injuries.
When you are the victim of a hit accident, you may not know which way to turn. What do you do when you do not know who is responsible for your injuries? If you’ve been injured on the road in a situation like this, don’t delay contacting Probinsky & Cole to learn about your options.
When you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident and suffer injuries, you definitely face unique challenges beyond a typical accident. You may think that not knowing the driver in a no-fault state like Florida isn’t a big deal, considering your insurance is the first one to step in to help. However, it isn’t always enough.
The biggest issue is not knowing who hit you, making it hard to get compensation for your injuries through a personal injury lawsuit. Without the other driver’s details, you may be stuck with only minimal help from your insurance policy, which is usually insufficient to cover everything you need. To put it simply, not knowing who caused your injuries can be very stressful and frustrating, but you still have options.
What To Do After An Accident
If you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident, your priority should be your safety and health before anything else. Hit-and-run accidents can be devastating, but even more devastating is putting your health at further risk. Here are the basic steps you should take:
Move to Safety: First things first, move your vehicle or exit the vehicle away from the flow of traffic, assuming you are safe when doing so. Find a secure spot and wait for further help.
Call 911: Report the accident immediately. Inform the dispatcher that it was a hit-and-run and request medical assistance for urgent issues. Police presence will help with documentation and evidence gathering.
Seek Medical Attention: Injuries not visible on the outside may be extremely damaging on the inside. Get checked by a doctor and keep all medical records to provide them to your attorneys.
Document the Scene: Take phone pictures or videos of the damage done to your car and bodily injuries. If there are any witnesses, collect basic contact info so your attorneys can contact them for future statements. Details such as the time, location, and weather conditions can also be helpful.
Report to the Police: Double-check that an official police report is filed.
Notify Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance company to learn exactly how they can help, especially in the short term, to take care of any injuries. Provide them with all the documentation and details you have gathered so far, or empower your attorneys to talk to them on your behalf.
This may seem like a lot to handle, but the general focus should be to stay safe, get help when needed, and document as much as possible.
Immediately following an accident, you can contact local personal injury lawyers to get guidance for your next steps and more easily collect all evidence, documentation, and info that can help your case.
Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help with Hit-and-Run Accidents
It may be harder than a routine accident case, but you have options even if you don’t know who hit your vehicle. A personal injury lawyer taking up your case will start by conducting a detailed investigation of the accident.
Attorneys have experience in knowing what to do in the event of hit-and-run accidents, as well as access to resources and tools that can help identify the at-fault driver. Beyond legal negotiations and representation, part of their job is to help secure compensation by collecting this evidence and identifying the driver. For example, attorneys may analyze traffic camera footage, obtain surveillance videos from nearby businesses, and consult with accident reconstruction experts. They can also interview witnesses, especially if you were able to gather preliminary information at the scene for your attorneys to begin their search.
If the at-fault driver is identified, your lawyer will represent you in legal proceedings to hold the driver accountable and secure much-needed compensation. Since the other driver is unlikely to have reported the accident to their insurance company or may not have insurance in the first place, the at-fault driver may be 100% liable for all repayments as opposed to their liability insurance. This can open up a whole new can of worms, as it may be difficult to secure compensation from a driver without the immediate funds to pay.
If you don’t immediately know who hit you and they drive off, your case will likely be more complicated than average. Each accident and crash is unique, and our team can provide greater insight into your case after talking through your situation in a free consultation. Contact Probinksy & Cole today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help.
