Any car accident is traumatic, and things can be even more complicated when the other driver breaks the law and fails to stop at the scene. The fact that they did not stop does not automatically mean that you will leave empty-handed. You can still file a claim against your own insurance policy that can result in compensation when you prove that the other driver was to blame for the accident. Still, these types of claims present challenges, not the least of which is your insurance company refusing to pay you every dollar you deserve.
One of the first things you should do after the accident is contact an experienced car accident lawyer to handle your case. They can work to track down the other driver and deal with your insurance company. You will not need to pay anything upfront to get legal help in your case.
Here are some essential things you must do after a hit-and-run accident.
Call the Police
You should have a police accident report that states that the other driver in the crash did not stop at the scene. Therefore, you should report the accident immediately. The police officer will show up and write the accident report, and once the report is available, you will include it in your claim.
Police may try to track down the other driver in the days following the accident since failing to stop at the scene is a crime. However, given their busy caseload, you never know how much effort law enforcement may make to find the driver. Thus, you need a car accident attorney who will conduct their own investigation and attempt to locate the other motorist.
Get a Car Accident Lawyer
Do not ever assume that anything is a given, even when you have been the victim of a hit-and-run accident. You must still fight for every dollar you get, regardless of which insurance company is writing the check. Your legal rights may still be under attack, no matter what, and you need an experienced car accident attorney to protect them.
They will thoroughly investigate the accident and may even attempt to locate the responsible driver independently. Your lawyer will also deal with the insurance company to secure the highest possible settlement. Contact a car accident lawyer immediately after the accident to ensure they are the most effective.
Get Medical Treatment
You need to see a doctor in the days after your car accident. Even if you received care at the scene and in the hospital afterward, you must follow up with your medical care and doctor’s appointments. You must take affirmative steps toward your recovery, including taking all your prescriptions and following all medical recommendations.
Insurance companies are looking closely to see what you did for yourself and may also challenge your injuries as unrelated to your accident if you wait too long to get medical care. They can claim that you did not do enough to mitigate your damages by seeking prompt medical care after the accident.
You can only file an insurance claim once you have reached the point of maximum medical improvement. It can take time to recover to the fullest extent possible, so you should see a doctor as soon as possible to begin the healing process.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Your insurance company will likely be the one who must pay out on your hit-and-run accident claim. If you have purchased uninsured motorist coverage, it will pay for your damages when you cannot locate the driver responsible for the accident. It is crucial that you immediately report the accident to your own insurance company to give it notice of what happened.
Be very careful when dealing with your insurance company. Since they are the ones who must write you a check, they will assume an adversarial role because they want to avoid paying you under any circumstances. You must prove fault in the car accident, even though the other driver did not stop. Be very wary about traps your insurance company may set for you because it does not feel it owes you any loyalty.
File an Insurance Claim
You will file a claim against your underinsured motorist coverage, and since you are dealing with your own insurance company, you will proceed through the claims process. The hope is that your insurance company will make you a settlement offer and resolve your case.
There is always a chance that your insurance company will try to play hardball with you. If that is the case, you will file a lawsuit against your own insurance company in court.
If you can eventually locate the responsible driver, your claim will be against their insurance. If your damages exceed their coverage, you will file an underinsured motorist claim against your policy.
Negotiate the Highest Possible Compensation
Insurance companies will always make you low settlement offers. Figuratively, you will have to drag them kicking and screaming into paying you the total amount that you deserve for your injuries. You will likely need to reject multiple low settlement offers from the insurance company before you even get in the same ballpark.
You can expect a lengthy negotiation process before agreeing on a settlement, and you are better off having an experienced car accident attorney representing you in the legal process. An insurance company will always show them more respect than they give you as an individual claimant.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer As Soon As Possible
One of the concerns that many people have after a hit-and-run accident is the financial burden of hiring a car accident lawyer. The good news is that when it comes to personal injury cases, you do not have to pay upfront for legal representation.
Most hit-and-run lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not have to pay any attorney’s fees unless your lawyer successfully recovers compensation for your case. You do not owe your car accident attorney anything if you do not win your case. This arrangement allows you to access experienced legal representation without worrying about upfront costs.
After a hit-and-run accident, it is crucial to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve. By hiring a Tysons Corner personal injury attorney, you can navigate the legal process without added financial stress and increase your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome. Remember, you do not have to face this challenging time alone.