What Should I Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident, you may have suffered serious injuries that resulted in costly medical bills and other expenses. However, these difficulties can worsen when it becomes uncertain of who will pay for your injuries and losses.

Fortunately, a personal injury lawyer in Fort Worth may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve after a serious auto accident. At Anderson & Cummings, we dedicate ourselves to fighting for the rights of injury victims. We can discuss the options you may have available during a free, no-obligation consultation.

Check for Injuries

As with every serious auto accident, you should always check yourself and any passenger in your vehicle for injuries after a hit-and-run collision.

If you suffered an injury, do not hesitate to seek medical attention. Many injuries associated with car accidents have delayed symptoms, such as whiplash.

If you visit a medical practitioner immediately following your accident, it will help you identify the true extent of your injuries. This will also show your insurance company that you were harmed during the accident and justifies the damages for medical expenses listed in your claim.

Try to Record as Many Details About the Accident as Possible

Although it may be difficult to document the details about a hit-and-run accident, you should try to record as much as possible while you are still at the accident scene or immediately after. This should include:

• A description of the other vehicle, including its make, model, license and license plate number
• A description of the driver
• The time and location of the accident
• The sequence of events that occurred during the accident
• Pictures of the accident scene, including your vehicle and any property damage

Unfortunately, many victims of hit-and-run accidents do not get a clear look at the driver or vehicle that caused the accident.

However, there may be witnesses who saw the driver, his or her vehicle or the direction the vehicle traveled in after the accident. If any witnesses were present during your hit-and-run accident, ask for their names and contact information.

Many roads and intersections contain cameras that may have recorded your accident or the at-fault driver fleeing the scene. You should make a note of any traffic cameras that may be present in the area for our attorneys and law enforcement to view and possibly identify the at-fault driver.

Call the Police

As soon as you are able, call the police to report that you were involved in a hit-and-run accident. The responding law enforcement officer will create an official accident report that you can use as an essential piece of evidence in your hit-and-run claim.

A police report will officially state that you were not at fault in the accident and may list the damages you suffered during the collision. Also, this will notify the police that a dangerous driver is still somewhere on the roadway and will pull their attention to catching him or her.

Report the Accident to Your Insurer

Texas is a fault state, which means damages from an auto accident are typically paid by the at-fault driver.

However, if the at-fault driver in a hit-and-run accident cannot be found, your insurance will be the only source for you to recover compensation. This means your ability to recover compensation will depend on the types of auto insurance you purchased with your policy.

Generally, the damages from a hit-and-run accident would be covered by the uninsured motorist (UM) coverage portion of your auto insurance policy. This insurance is specifically designed to protect you if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, which a hit-and-run driver is considered.

When Do I Need an Attorney?

Unfortunately, many insurance companies will reject UM claims or try to pay less than the policy’s limits, providing victims with inadequate compensation for their injuries and losses.

Additionally, if you did not purchase UM coverage with your auto insurance policy, your insurer may not consider your claim.

However, a skilled personal injury attorney can help you hold your insurer accountable for the compensation it owes you.

Our attorneys will investigate your crash and collect any available accident reports to help prove that you did not share fault in the accident. We will also obtain any medical documents related to your claim to show that you suffered injuries because of the at-fault driver and that you deserve to be compensated.

Contact an Attorney in Fort Worth

Although there may be a feeling of uncertainty lingering in your mind after a hit-and-run accident, you may have options through your insurance company or an attorney to recover compensation for your injuries.

The qualified auto accident attorneys at Anderson & Cummings will provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation to review the circumstances of your hit-and-run claim and determine if you have a case that entitles you to compensation.

We will thoroughly investigate your claim to attempt to identify the at-fault driver that caused your pain and suffering, or aggressively pursue your claim with your insurance company. All of our services are provided on a contingency fee basis, which means we only require payment if we recover compensation on your behalf.

Call (817) 920-9000 for qualified legal help for your claim.