A car accident is a very daunting experience and can be especially devastating when you are the victim of a hit-and-run.
You need to know what steps to take when you’re in a hit-and-run car accident.
Jordan Law Center’s Greenville hit-and-run lawyer explains.
What To Do After a Hit-and-Run
After a hit-and-run, there are key things to do.
1. Observe the scene
Any information that you can provide to law enforcement will be helpful. Observe the hit-and-run accident scene. Look for the following:
- Vehicle color
- Vehicle make and model
- Distinguishing characteristics of the vehicle
- What the driver looks like—age, gender, race, facial features
- Others present in the vehicle
- License plate, state, and a full or partial plate
- The direction the fleeing vehicle traveled in
- Damage to the fleeing vehicle
Take time to observe the place where the accident occurred, the weather, the time of day, and what people are present.
2. Stay safe
A hit-and-run accident can be dangerous in multiple ways. In addition to vehicle traffic, damage from the accident may create fire or electrical hazards. In addition, the fleeing driver may be angry or panicked.
Don’t try to chase the fleeing driver. Be mindful of your safety and take care to avoid additional injury.
3. Call the police
Call 911. A hit-and-run is an emergency. The sooner the police can respond, the greater the chance of catching the offender. The police can notify nearby law enforcement to look for the fleeing vehicle. They can also talk to witnesses and preserve evidence. The police will make an accident report, which will be important for your insurance claim. In addition, calling emergency responders is important if anyone may have injuries.
4. Get medical attention
Medical attention is important to stabilize the injured and begin healing. It also documents that you were injured in the accident. By treating you, medical professionals create a record of what your injuries are. This record establishes your claim for compensation.
In the following days, continue to follow medical directives. A lawyer can assist you with detailing your recovery and how injuries have impacted your life.
5. Document evidence
Gather information that is available to you at the scene. Take photographs of the area, including damage to your vehicle and property damage. Check if there are nearby surveillance cameras.
You may be injured, and your personal safety should come first. Ask someone else to help, if necessary.
Save things related to the accident, such as damaged personal property and the clothes you were wearing.
Write down what you remember as soon as possible. Don’t assume that you’ll remember later.
6. Get witness information
If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information. Ask them what they saw and where they were located. Even if they didn’t see the accident, things they witnessed afterwards may be important. Ask witnesses to stay and speak to the police.
7. Notify the insurance company
Tell the insurance company that you were in a hit-and-run accident. Provide the basics of where and when the accident occurred. Give only basic facts, vehicle damage, and if injuries occurred. Do not admit fault. You may initially say just that you are injured; you can provide more details when injuries have been documented in detail.
8. Obtain the accident report
Law enforcement should provide you with an accident report number. You may also request a copy of the accident report online, in person at a SCDMV branch, or by mail. It can take a few days or weeks for the report to be available.
9. Cooperate with the police
Police may have additional questions as they try to locate the offending driver. They may try to contact you. Keep your conversations factual. If there are questions of fault or legal responsibility, involve an attorney to represent you in police communications. If the offender is located, they may face criminal charges. You should be aware of the charges and may offer input and a victim impact statement.
10. Pursue your compensation
You may receive compensation for a hit-and-run. Receiving the amount you deserve requires evaluating your insurance, identifying your losses, and documenting the case. An attorney can help you with what to do after a hit-and-run to maximize your compensation.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage After a Hit-and-Run in South Carolina
There are two ways that a hit-and-run may be processed through insurance in South Carolina.
Through the fleeing driver’s insurance—driver located
A small number of hit-and-run cases are solved. If the driver is located, the claim can be processed through South Carolina’s at-fault car accident laws.
Even if they are located, they may not have car insurance. Being uninsured might be the reason they fled.
If they have car insurance, you can proceed to seek compensation, including economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages may also be appropriate.
Through uninsured motorist—driver not located
If the driver is not located, you may seek compensation for damages through your own insurance. When the fleeing driver is not found, a hit-and-run claim is processed as an uninsured driver claim. South Carolina law says:
“A motor vehicle is considered uninsured if the owner or operator is unknown.” S.C. Code § 38-77-30(14)(e).
South Carolina requires drivers to purchase uninsured motorist coverage. Drivers must have at least the minimum liability coverage for South Carolina, which is $25,000 per person bodily injury, $50,000 total bodily injury, and $25,000 property damage. If you have higher liability limits, your uninsured coverage should equal the amount you selected.
How a Greenville Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
A Greenville car accident lawyer can help you with the steps to take after a hit-and-run car accident. By reviewing insurance policies, calculating damages, and working with the police to investigate, your lawyer can assist you with pursuing a settlement or judgment.
Contact
Jordan Law Center represents hit-and-run victims in compensation claims. Contact us now.
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