The New York Times
The Washington Post
USA Today
San Jose Mercury News
CBS This Morning
ABC
NBC

What to Do After a Hit-And-Run Accident

AccidentAccidents cause a variety of emotions in both the driver at fault and the victim. Often, the driver who believes he or she is at fault experiences a “fight or flight” moment immediately following impact. Unfortunately, a rising number of these drivers choose to intentionally flee the scene, leaving the victim bewildered, angered, and confused. The experience of a hit-and-run is stressful and traumatic and can result in severe injuries, financial loss, and medical bills. What should a hit-and-run victim do after the guilty party leaves?

Stay Calm and Stay Put

The worst thing a victim can do is chase down any driver leaving an accident. All drivers are advised to remain at the scene, regardless of fault, unless seeking immediate medical attention or finding help before returning. Anyone found leaving faces hit-and-run charges, including the victim. Therefore, the best course of action is to refrain from pursuing the other driver, pull safely to the side of the road if it is possible, and contact the police immediately.

Collect Data Immediately

Assess yourself and any passengers for signs of injury. Next, if you are able, grab a pen and a napkin or a spare sheet of paper and begin taking notes. While the incident is fresh in your memory recall, you want to make notes of:

  • Make, model, and color of the other vehicle;
  • License plate number, even if it is just a small portion of it; and
  • Description of the driver.
Become an Investigator

Begin collecting any contact information from witnesses to the incident for future communication. Look around at businesses and ATM locations that may have a security camera that could have recorded part of the accident. Write down the time and place of the crash. Take pictures of the scene, the road conditions, and pictures of your vehicle. Once the police arrive, they will give you a case number for insurance purposes. Ask them also how to obtain your copy of the police report.

Call the Insurance Company

If the police find the driver, their insurance company is responsible for the damages. Otherwise, your insurance company will act as a stand-in for the unidentified driver, using your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage policy to cover your losses, and personal injury protection to cover the cost of medical bills. After finding the guilty party, your insurance company can later hold him or her liable for the expenses.

Get an Attorney Involved

Insurance adjusters are specially trained to reduce the costs impacting their business. These professionals strategically diminish the injuries and damages a victim sustained to increase their profit margins. A Santa Clara county hit and run accident lawyer will defend your rights and ensure you receive maximum compensation for your experience. At Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P., we have extensive experience interacting with insurance companies and the complications of hit-and-run accidents. Let us help you get the necessary tools for recovery. Call us today for a free initial consultation at (408) 289-1417.

Sources:

Client Reviews
★★★★★
I absolutely cannot speak highly enough of CMA Law, particularly of Mr. McMahon, with whom I have had the most experience. My entire family and I trusted CMA with our case following a significant and life-altering vehicle accident, and to say they delivered is putting it lightly. They were reachable & personable at every stage of this arduous, complex, and scary process, made things easier at every stage, inspired us with confidence, and delivered results. If you're looking for a law firm to place the trust of you in your family in, look absolutely no further than CMA - this is your firm. Declan O.
★★★★★
I suffered a severe spinal injury while working as a farm mechanic in the Salinas Valley. The attorneys -Tim McMahon and Mark Sigala were fantastic from the beginning. They fought for me over 3 long years and in the end, we won a difficult liability case against the farm company who was using dangerous equipment. The defendants in the case tried everything to put the blame on me and even claimed I was their employee in order to avoid civil responsibility. Tim and Mark never gave up on me and my case. I cannot recommend them highly enough. They are fighters. Adrian A.
Martindale-Hubbell
Best Law Firms
American Board of Trial Advocates
2010 Street Fighter of The Year Award Finalists
Irish Legal 100
The Best Lawyers in America
AVVO
Santa Clara County Bar
BBB
Super Lawyers
The National Trial Lawyers
California Lawyer
Top One
Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association
Public Justice Trial Lawyer of The Year