If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, you may not know what to do because the person who caused the accident has run off and cannot be identified.
However, you should still act as if you can file a PI claim for your injuries and the damage done to your vehicle. The definition of a hit-and-run accident is one when a driver intentionally runs off from the accident scene without offering his/her contact details or stopping to assist anyone who has been injured.
1. Gather Evidence at the Accident Scene
You are going to need evidence to prove who or what caused the hit and run accident. One of the first things you should do is contact the local police so that they can come to the accident scene and write a report. You need to ask the respective police officer for a copy of the police report so you can use it as evidence to back up your personal injury claim.
You will need the following bits of evidence such as:
- a copy of the police officer’s report;
- photographs taken at the scene of the accident showing the damage done to the vehicles;
- witness statements indicating it was a hit and run accident and was not your fault;
- copies of your doctor’s report describing the nature of your injuries;
- a mechanic’s estimate of the damage done to your vehicle.
2. Arrange for Auto Repairs
If your vehicle has been damaged in the hit and run accident you will want to claim for the repairs needed if you get a chance once the at-fault driver is located. Your vehicle may need towing to a repair yard or you may be able to drive it there yourself. Get a mechanic’s report of the damage and a quote for the repair bill. You should include in a claim any alternative transport you need while your car is being repaired.
3. You Will Need a Medical Examination
If you were injured in the hit and run accident and you suffered a traumatic brain injury, you must seek medical help immediately. You will probably need to go to an emergency room where you will have to pay upfront for treatment. You should get these costs refunded once you win your PI claim. If you are able you should take you vehicle to a mechanic and have it inspected for damages such as broken windshield, damaged doors and windows.
4. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
As long as you have all the evidence at your fingertips, you can talk to a PI attorney who will decide if you have a strong enough case to win a PI claim. A lawyer who is experienced with these sorts of claims will know how best to create a strong claim to win a favorable settlement.
5. File a Claim
By the time you have visited a PI lawyer you should have gathered sufficient evidence to file a PI claim. Your lawyer can file the claim for you and ensure that it is done in the proper manner giving you the highest chance to win a claim.
