Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run and How a Lawyer Can Help

The Governors Highway Safety Association has reported about 7,148 persons who died on the roads in the year 2024. The number of fatalities is equivalent to the capacity of 31 Boeing 737 airplanes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also indicated a growing rate of pedestrian deaths due to hit-and-runs. Most hit-and-run crashes occur at night and involve SUVs and pickups in areas not served by sidewalks.

Individuals injured in vehicle accidents are traumatized and are caught not knowing what to do next, more so if the driver disappears from the scene without stopping to offer assistance.

According to a Waterbury hit-and-run accident lawyer, your attorney will strive to recover your damages while the police, hopefully, will arrest the hit-and-run driver for prosecution.

Let’s discuss what steps you will want to take after being a victim of a hit and run and how obtaining legal representation can aid you in dealing with insurance companies and fighting for compensation that you are rightfully owed.

Stay Calm and Ensure Safety

Remaining calm after a hit-and-run accident would help to clear your mind so that you may orient yourself toward an appropriate course of action. Check for injuries to yourself and passengers. In case there are injuries, medical help should be sought at once.

If it can be done without risking any harm, get the vehicle somewhere out of the way of traffic. Being off the highway means it is safe for you and perhaps others using it.

Legal proceedings can make you feel isolated. Given that so many people have been through similar situations, remember you are never alone.

If you put emphasis on safety for yourself and all those around you, a good bond will be formed to face the challenges together.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

Evidence should be secured at the scene after confirming that everybody is safe. Photographs need to be taken clearly to highlight the whole circumstance of the accident, vehicle positions, road conditions, and visible damages. The witnesses must then be asked to give their statements politely, and if they consent to it, their contact details must be recorded.

Note any CCTVs present in the locality that may have recorded the incident. Time, date, and weather conditions should also be recorded. The evidence you collect will provide critical context cues of the accident.

Collecting the evidence not only empowers your case but also helps it comply with the car accident laws in your state. Carefully gathering this information initiates the process of accountability and justice.

Report the Incident to Authorities

After you gain safety, you should immediately call the police and furnish them with all the information you gathered.

This would include the description of the other vehicle involved in the incident, witnesses, and the location of the incident. Police reports are very important for your case. Your statement actually confirms the experience and empowers the community to make reckless drivers responsible for their actions.

Sharing your situation with several close friends or family members will help you receive continued support from your community.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Notify your insurance company after a hit-and-run accident. They should have information about it as soon as possible to aid you through your next steps. As you report what happened, provide the information you have gathered, including the time and location. Give out the names and contact details of potential witnesses too.

Your insurance company will assist you in filing a claim and will also inform you about the applicable coverage. Taking preventive measures demonstrates that you are in control of your affairs. Go ahead and ask the insurance representative questions if you need to know anything about a policy or procedure.

Having a conversation with insurance companies will assist in recovery and provide you with more support during this difficult time.

Consult With a Lawyer for Legal Guidance

After contacting your insurance company, you should start to gather some legal advice. It’s more overwhelming to deal with the aftermath of a hit-and-run, so you need a legal expert to make a big difference.

A lawyer looks out for your rights and determines what comes next. A lawyer is responsible for drawing up an entire case, gathering all the necessary evidence, negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf, and walking you through the process so that you do not have to bear it alone.

You need to feel safe and informed about all available options. Among the very few things one can do after an accident to regain control and start the healing process is to seek legal representation. Do seek the assistance you deserve.