Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Victim of a Hit and Run? Here is What to Do
Being involved in an accident can be upsetting, but it can be even more challenging when you are the victim of a hit and run. Hit and run accidents can happen at any time of the day or night. There are many reasons why another driver may not want to stop after an accident. The driver may have a suspended license, the driver might be impaired, or he or she could have an arrest warrant, among other reasons. As a victim of the crash, you may be left feeling scared and may not know what to do next.
Call the Police
The first step after any accident is to call the police. The police will arrive and take over the scene of the crash. They will get an ambulance there if you require medical attention. The police will immediately assess the situation and will talk to both drivers. If the other driver left the scene you should relay that to the emergency operator and to law enforcement when they arrive. It is against the law to leave the scene of an accident in North Carolina.
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Make Notes About the Accident
As soon as you can, take a notepad and write down every detail you can remember about the accident. You can do this while you are waiting for the police to arrive. Take a photo of the other vehicle and the license plate if possible. Make a note of the exact details of the incident including where you were, the direction you were traveling at the time, and anything you can remember about the other driver and vehicle. Try to remember the make, model, and color of the vehicle that fled the scene. Provide as much info as you can to law enforcement.
Get Medical Care
It is imperative that you seek medical attention right away. You should do this even if you do not feel hurt at the time. Often, injuries worsen over time and you need to be sure that a doctor evaluates your condition. If you do not want to go in an ambulance, you can go to the emergency room or urgent care center, or visit your family physician. Keep copies of all your medical visit records and bills. It is best to get medical care as soon after the accident as possible.
Make an Insurance Claim
After the incident, you will likely need to contact your insurance company to file a claim. Provide the insurance company with details of the accident. Make sure that you provide a copy of the police report and indicate that the other driver was responsible for the accident but fled the scene. It is helpful to understand your insurance coverage, so you will want to read your policy information before you call. Before you call, you may want to consult with a car accident lawyer.
Call a Car Accident Attorney
A hit and run can be complex. If you were hurt in an accident that was not your fault, the negligent party should pay for your medical bills and other damages. Generally, the police will work to find the driver who fled, however, your attorney may have resources available to assist, such as investigators. Your lawyer knows how to work with insurance companies to help you get the compensation you deserve.
If you were hurt in a hit and run crash, do not hesitate to seek legal guidance. Call our legal team today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 for a free initial consultation to discuss the accident.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_20/gs_20-166.html
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/car-damaged-1452983
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