Hit and run accidents happen every day, and odds are that most of us will fall prey to an unethical driver at some point in our lives. A hit and run accident happens any time a motorist leaves the scene of an accident deliberately without giving his or her contact information.
A common place for hit and run accidents is a parking lot when someone hits your unattended vehicle and doesn’t leave a note. Hit and runs can also happen at intersections or on the road when another driver strikes your car and speeds away.
Being the victim of a hit and run accident can leave you confused and feeling angry or frightened. You may be wondering who will pay for your injuries and the damage to your vehicle.
Luckily, there are things you can do in the wake of a hit and run accident to help make sense of this stressful and confusing situation.
After a hit and run accident, stay calm and focus on gathering as much information as possible. The more information you have, the better the chance is that the police will be able to locate the individual who hit you. More information will also help your insurance company better handle your claim.
So, what kind of information should you be looking for?
- Any information you can provide about the vehicle that hit you will be invaluable- information such as color, make, model, and license plate number.
- Try to identify any witnesses and get their contact information.
- Don’t depend on your memory at a time like this. Before leaving the scene, write down the location and time of the accident. Photograph the scene and your vehicle, including any visible damage. If the hit and run occurred while you were away from your vehicle, write down the location and approximate time of the accident.
Further Reading: Crash Fatalities Increased Dramatically in 2015
Don’t be tempted to give chase after a hit and run. Your best course of action is to notify the police and file a report as soon as possible. Provide the officer with as many details as you can, as well as names of eyewitnesses. Even if the hit and run driver isn’t found, having a police report on file will facilitate the claims process.
Insurance Coverage for Hit and Run Accidents
Uninsured motorist coverage from your auto insurance company will often cover a hit and run accident- uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) will cover your medical expenses and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) will pay for repairs to your vehicle. However, availability and scope of this coverage varies from state to state. Personal injury protection, collision coverage, and medical payments coverage are also available to provide compensation.
Filing a Hit and Run Accident Claim
You can file a claim with the other driver’s company if they can be identified. If the other driver does not have sufficient coverage or cannot be identified, you can file a claim with your insurance provider using any of the above-mentioned coverages.
Contact Our Pueblo Car Accident Lawyers
If you or someone you love has been injured in a hit and run accident in Pueblo or anywhere in the state of Colorado, it is important to call our office immediately. Time is of the essence when filing an injury claim – especially for hit and run accident victims. Call Pueblo attorneys at Smith & Smith, today for a FREE CONSULTATION – (719) 544-0062.
