What to Do When the Driver Leaves the Scene?

Saturday, October 28, 2017 by The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman

Getting into a car accident can be an overwhelming experience for anybody. This is particularly true if you are hurt. Every accident victim hopes there are no injuries in the event of a vehicle accident but that is not always the case. You can spend weeks or months recovering from the injuries sustained in the accident. Also, you may miss work, school, and other important responsibilities. It is even worse when the other driver leaves the scene of the accident and the victim feels confused and hopeless. Hit-and-run accidents are very difficult to handle without a gradient attorney Ventura County by your side.

Seek medical attention

The first thing you have to do is assess the situation and make sure nobody is hurt. Get away from the vehicle, if you can. It can be dangerous if there is a gas leak or any other dangers close by. Call 911 and have the police file a report. Depending on the situation, you may also call the fire department and ambulance.

When the police arrive at the scene of the accident, make sure you tell them exactly what happened. Include all details such as the color and make of the vehicle, license plate number, if you can remember or if you were able to take some photographs. It can also be useful when you can remember what type of damage the other vehicle sustained.

Call the insurance company

If you don’t need medical treatment, call the insurance right away. Just remember your insurance may not pay for all the damages. Comprehensive insurance can cover damages when the other driver leaves the scene. Uninsured or underinsured coverage is useful in cases involving the other driver leaving the scene or having insufficient coverage. You will have financial losses such as lost income and medical expenses. There are also non-financial damages such as the loss of ability to engage in your routine, pain, and suffering.

Contact your gradient attorney Ventura County

It is always good for getting in touch with your attorney. Your insurance company may deny part of your claim based on the evidence you provided them. Your attorney can compel the insurance company to offer more compensation for all your losses. It may take time to relocate the person responsible for the accident but it is worth trying.

When the driver who hit the vehicle leaves the scene of the accident, most victims feel they are not entitled to compensation. Yet there are times when the other driver is found. Just make sure you fill out the police report. The more details you provide them, the better. Get medical treatment and call the insurance company to report the accident immediately.

If the hit and run happened when you were away from your vehicle, write down as much information as you can: time, location and damages sustained. It is easy to feel angry and confused but don’t. Help is on the way!