Hit and run accidents are the types of accidents that all drivers dread, especially if there are serious injuries and serious damage done to the victim’s vehicle. It is defined as an accident when a person intentionally departs the scene without offering his/her contact details or stopping to assist somebody who suffered injuries in the accident. The most likely scenario for this type of accident is a driver crashing into another vehicle or sometimes a pedestrian and then departing the scene.
Disputing Fault in a Hit and Run Accident
A hit-and-run accident isn’t as easy as other accidents to confirm that you weren’t at-fault yourself. To make it easier to claim personal injury compensation you should report the accident to the police immediately. The police report should be able to explain who and what caused the hit and run accident. The victim should seek medical treatment as soon as possible as this confirms that the accident actually took place.
Proving Negligence of the Other Driver
If the victim is in a fit state to do so, s/he should attempt to piece together as many facts as possible about the accident. If the victim can recall the make, model and color of the car that is a good start and even just some of the letters and numbers on the license plate may help the police track down the hit and run driver. There might be something particularly characteristic about the vehicle such as stickers affixed to the bumper or custom trim on the vehicle.
Any damage that was done to the hit and run vehicle should be recorded as well. If it was in good light, the victim should remember a bit about the appearance of the hit and run driver and any passengers who could be seen in the vehicle at the time. There may be eyewitness around who are prepared to write reports about how the hit and run took place.
Insurance Claims Process in a Hit and Run Accident
Unless it is possible for the police to track down the hit and run driver, the victim may have to file a claim with their own insurance company using the uninsured or underinsured driver coverage. Most states these days require that drivers hold this coverage. Some states may waive deductibles in a hit and run accident while other states allow personal injury protection coverage, medical payments coverage or collision coverage to help pay for medical expenses and vehicle repairs. However, if sooner or later the hit and run driver is finally identified, a PI claim can be processed using the hit and run driver’s insurer.
Get a Free Evaluation
If you were in a hit and run accident and you know you were not to blame, get a free evaluation today. A PI lawyer can help to keep your hit and run PI claim out of court by filing it on your behalf with either your insurer or the at-fault driver’s insurer if the at-fault driver is found.
For easy reference during the claims process, the victim should also record the time and location of the accident.
