It’s one thing to be a victim of personal injury, but the one at fault isn’t always held responsible. This is exactly the case in a hit-and-run situation, where a person involved in an accident drives off without remaining at the scene of that accident. A hit and run can happen between the driver of a motor vehicle and “another motor vehicle, a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or even an inanimate object”.
We all dread when we’re on the receiving end of a hit and run situation, but there are measures you can take to bring some justice to it. In its simplest terms, according to Jacob Emrani of Avvo, “any driver involved in any kind of accident is bound to stop their vehicle and provide a license number, contact information, vehicle registration and license plate numbers as well as insurance information in most states”. If there are no witnesses and this driver is alone, he or she is legally required to claim involvement by leaving a note and reporting the situation to the authorities.
What are reasons for why somebody would hit and run? It could either be drug use, a suspended driver’s license, or no insurance. Car theft is also another common reason, in unsafe areas especially. All in all, it’s not as likely that an individual will hit and run out of ignorance. But it does happen.
What do you do from here, if you were the victim in a hit and run?
- The first step is reporting the incident to the police. At this stage, it’s important to remain at the scene, if possible. The reasoning for this is allow for the best context when the police show up, that way you can describe exactly what happened and where it occurred.
- The second step is to look for witnesses. It’s important to ask everyone in the area if they saw what happened. The best thing to do here is to get their contact information, as well as to ask the police at the scene to speak to the witnesses and take reports.
- The third step is to document, through pictures and video. Having documentation of license plates, nearby parked cars, weather conditions, broken glass, car parts, traffic signage, and anything else that could help you in your situation and later on.
Have you suffered an injury, even a small one? Visiting a physician is the best thing to do, as soon as possible. Once having made a visit, it’s important to ask about a record from the doctor. This is documentation that will work in your favor, for your personal injury case.
From here, the next step would be contacting a personal injury attorney before calling your insurance company. Not only does a personal injury attorney know how to deal with these injuries as well as many other types, but the attorney will be able to help guide you and tell you how to best deal with your insurance claim process.
At Southern Oaks Law Firm, Taylor Fontenot brings years of personal injury experience at some of Lafayette’s largest and most respected personal injury law firms. Taylor will personally oversee and address all aspects of your personal injury claim. From the initial consultation through settlement, he will truly be with you throughout the entire process. Call 337-704-7255 or email Taylor today.
