How to Seek Compensation after a Hit and Run
South Carolina experiences thousands of hit and run accidents each year. Each victim has their own story. Some people experience only property damage because they are thankfully in a store or at work when their parked car is hit. But some motorists are badly injured in a crash, only to watch helplessly as the at-fault driver speeds away.
Davis & Snyder Injury Attorneys can help anyone hurt in a hit and run accident. We recommend following the steps in this article to build a solid claim for compensation.
What to Do after a Hit and Run
- Note any important details about the vehicle or driver. You must have seen the vehicle, even briefly out of the corner of your eye. Note important details, such as the color, make or model. If you saw the driver, even in a flash, note whether they were male or female, their race, their hair color, or other distinguishing details. All these details can help the police find the motorist who struck you.
- Call the police. You should report a hit and run accident to the police. One risk is that your insurer will assume you really caused an accident on your own, possibly after falling asleep or being drunk. A crash report helps establish you were really hit by another motorist, who fled.
- Get medical help. Go to the hospital and call an ambulance if you need help getting there. Tell the doctor where you feel pain.
- Hold off on repairing your vehicle. You need to document the damage to your vehicle. You can take photos of dents and zoom in on paint smears. These smears can help the police determine the color of the car that hit you. Fixing the car too quickly can erase this evidence.
- Call your insurer to report the accident. You should call as soon as possible. Open a claim by telling them the date and time. You don’t need to go into more detail.
- Hire an attorney. You have options to receive compensation. If the police find the driver, you can submit a claim on their insurance. Another option is to make a claim on your uninsured motorist insurance. A lawyer is a big help at documenting the accident and determining how to maximize compensation.
- Continue with your medical care. Injured victims should do everything possible to get well after a crash.
Our firm is eager to help. We know how to negotiate with insurance companies, including your uninsured motorist provider. They might question whether you were really hit or if you are to blame for your accident. We can gather evidence to establish another vehicle crashed into you and caused injuries.
Speak with a Greenville Car Accident Lawyer Today
If we can find the driver, then we will file a claim on their insurance. Otherwise, we can identify avenues to receive compensation, including filing a claim on your own coverage. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Greenville car accident lawyer. We also represent people in Spartanburg and Upstate South Carolina.
Source:
bankrate.com/insurance/car/south-carolina-hit-and-run/