What are the Dos and Don’ts After a Hit and Run Accident
There are over 700,000 hit-and-run accidents annually, causing serious injuries and extensive property damage. If you have been a victim of a hit and run, you may not know what steps you should take to protect your legal rights. At The Law Office of Joel M. Vecchio, P.C., our legal team has advocated for numerous individuals who have fallen victim to a hit-and-run and are ready to put their skills to work for you. To keep you better informed, our Plano car accident lawyers discuss what you should and should not do after a hit-and-run accident.
Dos
Pull Over to a Safe Place
If your vehicle can still be driven, pull over to a safe place. The last thing you need is a secondary collision because your vehicle is obstructing traffic. Pulling into a nearby parking lot will offer you better protection. However, if your vehicle cannot be moved, put on your hazard lights so that other drivers can see your vehicle.
Call 911
Check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911. Be clear and concise when explaining to the dispatcher what happened. Emergency medical services that arrive on the scene will assess injuries and transport those who need medical attention to the hospital.
Call the Police
Under Texas Transportation Code §550.026, you must call the police if you are involved in an accident that results in injuries, fatalities, or extensive property damage. You should call the police if you are involved in a hit-and-run so that an investigation can be started to find the fleeing driver. The officer who arrives at the scene will take down your information and any details that you have regarding a physical description of the other driver or the make/model of their car. The police must file a written report of the crash if there are any injuries, fatalities, or at least $1,000 in property damage. You will want to request a copy of this report to submit as part of your insurance claim.
Gather Evidence
Along with the police crash report, you will want to take photos of the accident scene. These photos should show the final resting position of your car, vehicle debris, your injuries, and any nearby intersections or identifying landmarks. If anyone witnessed the accident, take down their names and phone numbers. Even though the police officer will likely take a statement from any eyewitnesses, your attorney may want to call on them later to testify.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident attorney can discuss the strength of evidence and what steps you should take next. You will want to gather evidence of damages, which will include any medical expenses, proof of lost wages, and invoices from your mechanic. A car accident attorney will guide you on exactly what you need and will also take the lead in gathering evidence to prove the other driver’s liability.
Don’ts
Leave the Scene
In a moment of panic, you may want to flee the scene. This is a big mistake and one that could cost you in the end. No matter what, remain at the scene until the police arrive.
Admit Fault
Even if you believe you caused the crash, never admit fault to the police officer or anyone else at the scene. Admitting fault can significantly reduce your ability to legally recover. Also, you may have missed something that the other driver did that caused the crash. So, admitting fault will only unnecessarily hurt your claim.
Speak with a Plano, TX, Car Accident Lawyer
A hit-and-run accident can have a significant impact on your physical and financial well-being. Between medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle repair costs, you may feel like you are in a never-ending financial hole. If you or a family member has recently been impacted by a hit and run, The Law Office of Joel Vecchio, P.C., would like to hear from you. To arrange your free consultation with a Plano car accident attorney, contact us online or by phone at (972) 381-4610 today.