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Approximately four million hit-and-run accidents occurred between 2015 and 2019, of which 73% were damage-only. The number of hit-and-run accidents, including fatal accidents, is on the rise. A hit-and-run accident occurs when a person driving a vehicle hits another car or pedestrian and flees the scene.
Suppose you were in a hit-and-run accident and are seeking hit-and-run accident compensation. In that case, our team at Trey Harrell Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney Offices in Charleston and Greenville, South Carolina, can help you get the compensation and closure that you deserve to put this event past you.
Hit and Run Accident Compensation First Steps
You should take several steps immediately after a hit-and-run accident, including several things you should not do.
Step #1: Make sure everyone is ok
The first thing you need to do after a hit-and-run accident is to make sure you or any passenger are relatively unharmed. Car accidents, especially as a hit-and-run victim, are terrifying, so a level of nervousness is normal. Still, your main concern should be checking if there are any severe injuries to you or anyone else in the vehicle.
If you find yourself or anyone else having severe injuries, call 911 to report the accident and give your location so they can send the proper help.
Step #2: Safely pull over
After checking everyone for injuries, if your vehicle runs and it is safe to do so, pull over to a safe location out of the traffic flow. Pull over to the shoulder at least, but if a parking lot is close, that would be best so no one, including police and paramedics, is at risk of injury.
Step #3: Report the accident
If you find no severe injuries and your vehicle is pulled over in a safe location, report the accident to the police. Tell the dispatcher that you checked everyone and are unaware of any serious injuries.
Step #4: Gather evidence
This step is especially important for pursuing hit-and-run accident compensation. After you have checked everyone for injuries and reported the accident to the police, exit the vehicle and try to collect all the information you can. You can use your phone to do this if you do not have a pen and paper.
If you remember any information about the vehicle that fled the scene, write as much of it down as you can remember. The vehicle make, model and color, at least. If you see the driver, record any information about them and any numbers on the license plate if possible.
If there are any witnesses to the accident, try to get their names and contact information and any information about the accident they can remember.
Step #5: Look around the scene
This is another essential part of getting compensation for a hit-and-run accident. Check for any nearby security cameras that may have caught the accident on video. Take photos of the damage to your vehicle or any minor injuries you or your passengers may have, like minor cuts, scrapes, bruises, etc.
Step #6: Contact your insurance provider
If you are safe and secure, you can contact your car insurance company while you wait for the police to arrive. You should report the accident to your provider as soon as possible. During this conversation, you can discuss whether your insurance covers hit-and-run accidents. If it does, you can also discuss how you would get your vehicle repaired.
What not to do after a hit-and-run accident
There are several things you should not do after a hit-and-run accident. These include not losing your temper, chasing down the other driver, and assuming your insurance will cover the accident.
Pursuing Hit and Run Accident Compensation
In a hit-and-run accident, you, the hit-and-run victim, can file a lawsuit against the driver of the other vehicle and the other vehicle’s owner if they were identified. However, if the car was reported stolen, the other vehicle’s owner is exempt from the lawsuit. Whether or not the other vehicle’s owner was involved, they are responsible for the vehicle and can still be implicated in the accident.
Other Types of Compensation Available
There are a couple of other ways you can get hit-and-run accident compensation if the other driver is not identified, including compensation from your car insurance company or the justice system.
Regarding being compensated by your car insurance company, liability insurance only covers the other driver in the event of a car accident. When you report the accident to your insurance company, this is an excellent time to discuss your coverage.
Types of insurance coverage that will help you in the event of a hit-and-run accident may include:
- Collision coverage
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage
- Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage
- Uninsured Motorist coverage
Check with your insurance company to see if you have any of these coverages. It would be wise to add them in advance, just in case, before an accident of any type occurs.
If you are a hit-and-run victim, you may be eligible for compensation through your state’s victim compensation program. Each state has different eligibility requirements and provides different benefits to victims. These benefits may include medical expenses, attorney fees, lost wages and more.
Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
When you are in a hit-and-run accident, besides physical pain, you may be suffering from mental and emotional pain that may cloud your judgment. Here are some reasons to hire a personal injury attorney to help you with your case.
- An attorney can help you prove liability.
- An attorney can help you gather evidence.
- An attorney can help protect you and your rights.
- An attorney can help you meet important deadlines.
- An attorney can help represent you.
An experienced hit-and-run accident personal injury attorney can help you with your hit-and-run accident lawsuit and get you the compensation you deserve.
Seek the Advice of a Charleston Personal Injury Attorney for Your Hit and Run Accident Compensation Questions
Hit-and-run accidents can be tricky, especially if the other vehicle’s driver cannot be found.
Follow the steps outlined above and gather as much information and evidence as you can.
Getting hit-and-run accident compensation will be much easier.
If you have questions or were involved in a hit-and-run accident, contact us to schedule a free consultation and case review.