Imagine that you are driving along, and suddenly, your car gets hit from behind. You lose control of your vehicle, and it goes off the road. By the time you realize what has happened to you, the other motorist is long gone, leaving you trapped in a totaled vehicle.
At that moment, you might be thinking about what went wrong and why you had to suffer from such a predicament. However, being involved in a hit-and-run situation does not leave you with a lot of time to ponder. You have to make sure that you take action as quickly as possible.
You need to call the authorities as soon as you realize what has happened and let them handle the situation professionally.
1. Make Sure that You are Safe
After such a violent crash, being injured is a real possibility. If your vehicle has gone off the road, it can hit a number of things. The airbags can be deployed, which can bruise your face and disorient you. You can end up hitting your head somewhere in the violence of it all.
You will also experience a lot of bruising on your chest due to the seat belt synching down on you. This can sometimes cause rib fractures. As your vehicle goes off the road, you will lose control of it, and tree branches or other such objects may pierce through your windows.
2. Call the Police Immediately
In a hit-and-run situation, you cannot do much on your own. You will need the assistance of the police, which is why you should call the authorities immediately after your accident. There can be instances where you might be seriously injured, and you will need help from the first responders.
If your car has rolled over or if you are stuck in your car for some other reason, you will need help from the fire department. You also need to report the incident to the police so that they can try to stop the other driver.
3. Secure Your Dash Cam Footage
Having a dash cam in your car can be a big help in a hit-and-run situation. A dash cam generally saves the footage after it detects an accident. However, you have to make sure that you copy that footage over to your computer and secure it.
Your dash cam footage can help the authorities identify the driver who hit you. There is a reasonable probability that their number plate will be captured in the footage, which will allow authorities to track down the other driver. Similarly, you will have an easier time proving who was at fault if you have the accident footage at hand.
4. Identify the Other Driver
Once the authorities arrive at the scene and you get the needed medical attention, the police will ask you to provide a statement. They will ask you for details about the incident to ascertain what happened. By answering their questions in great detail, you will make things easier for yourself.
When asked about the other driver, you should provide details about their car. Things like the color, make, and model of the vehicle will help narrow down the search. You can also look for online listings of any vehicles being sold with suspicious damage. Often, people try to sell their cars after a hit-and-run incident.
If you have been hit by a company vehicle, you should provide details of it. The branding on company vehicles can make it easier for you to identify them, and the driver who hits you can be apprehended quickly.
5. File a Police Report
Filling a formal police report is essential to open an investigation for your accident. By filing a police report, you agitate the law to work in your favor. This will enable the police to take action on your behalf and possibly apprehend the person who caused your accident.
You will also get help when it comes time to file a claim through your insurance provider. A police report is the first thing that they will require in order to process your claim. After filling out your police report, you have to note its number and, if possible, get a copy of it as well.
6. Get in Touch with a Lawyer
Having a lawyer on your side when it comes to dealing with a hit-and-run incident can be a big help. You can get crucial guidance that can help you avoid common mistakes and blunders. There can be many complexities involved when it comes to the aftermath of a car accident.
With the help of a lawyer fighting for car wreck victims, you will be able to overcome these complexities. Such a lawyer will be able to provide you with step-by-step guidance that will enable you to file a lawsuit and get the justice that you deserve.
7. Get Your Insurance Involved
You have to inform your insurance provider of the accident. You can file a claim through your insurance provider to initiate the compensation proceedings. Your car will require a lot of work to get it back to factory condition.
This will cost a lot of money, and you will need your insurance provider to cover it. If you have hit a pole or damaged government property, it will be paid for through your insurance provider. Only once the investigation is over will your insurance provider be able to recover the damages from the liable party.
8. Follow the Proper Channels
After a hit-and-run incident, it is natural to feel wronged. You can be pretty angry, considering the situation you are in. In such circumstances, you might want to avenge yourself and confront the person who hit you.
However, it can be a bad idea. You cannot take the law into your own hands; instead, you have to trust the authorities to get justice for you. If you take matters into your own hands, things can escalate, and you can end up in a bad position. It could be that a simple confrontation can turn into assault, which can land you in jail.
