Being a victim of a hit and run accident can be an incredibly distressing experience. Despite this, it’s important to remember that there are still pathways to obtaining an injury settlement. This blog post will guide you through steps you can take to improve your chances of getting a settlement if you’re injured in a hit and run automobile accident.
As an injury lawyer serving all of Kentucky, with offices in Louisville and Shepherdsville, I’ve seen the impact of such incidents. Please bear in mind that the content of this blog post is not legal advice and you should always consult with a lawyer for your particular situation.
1. Contact the Police After A Hit and Run
Whether you are involved in a hit and run accident or any other type of car accident, it is crucial to contact the police immediately. They will create a police report, which will can be an essential piece of evidence when you file an injury claim with your automobile insurance or the other driver’s insurance if you are eventually able to track down their insurance information.
2. Seek Medical Treatment
If you are injured, seek medical treatment immediately. This will not only ensure you get the care you need, but the medical records will also document critical evidence of your injuries.
3. Get The Hit and Run Driver’s License Plate
If possible, try taking photographs at the scene of the accident. If you notice the other driver fleeing, try to memorize or capture a photograph of their license plate number. Note the color, make, and model of the vehicle too. These details will be crucial in trying to track down the driver responsible for the accident.
4. Report to Your Insurance Company
You need to report the accident to your insurance company and, if you are able to track the other driver down, to the insurance company of the driver responsible for the accident. To obtain the latter’s insurance information, you might need to contact a local government office and provide them with the other driver’s license plate number. In Kentucky, this information can usually be retrieved from the local county clerk’s office or the Kentucky Department of Transportation if you have the other driver’s license plate number.
5. File an Uninsured Motorist Claim
Sometimes, it might turn out that the hit-and-run driver is uninsured or untraceable. In such situations, you can file an uninsured motorist claim with your own automobile insurance if you had such coverage on your automobile. Uninsured motorist insurance is coverage that pays for your damages when you’re injured due to the carelessness of an uninsured driver. This coverage can also apply to hit-and-run accidents when the at-fault driver’s information cannot be located.
Not everyone has this type of coverage on their automobile insurance policy, but I strongly recommend obtaining it. It’s an invaluable safety net should you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation.
Contact Meagher Injury Lawyers If You Have Been Injured in a Hit and Run
Knowing what to do after being injured in a hit and run accident can help you secure a potential settlement. If you are lost as what to do next, Meagher Injury Lawyers may be able to help you. Remember, if you’ve been injured in a hit and run car accident in Kentucky, act quickly and remember to Don’t Wait, Call Tate! Tate and his team can investigate your hit and run accident case to see if they can track down the at-fault hit and run driver and their insruance information. All consultations with Tate are free and you owe nothing unless we win your case.