Watching a driver who hit you speed away from the accident scene can add to the shock of an auto accident, leaving you uncertain about what actions you need to take after the crash. Knowing what to do after a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident in Missouri can help protect your rights and interests as you pursue financial compensation for your injuries or losses. Steps you should take after a hit-and-run include:
Ensure Everyone’s Safety and Check for Injuries
First, move your vehicle to a safe location if you can drive it safely, such as pulling it to the side of the road or a nearby parking lot. If you need to stop on the road, you should activate your vehicle’s hazard lights to warn other motorists. Next, check yourself and your passengers for any possible injuries. Call 911 if someone appears injured or requests medical attention. Otherwise, you should contact law enforcement at their direct number to report the accident.
Gather Information
At the accident scene, you should note details about the hit-and-run vehicle, such as its make, model, color, license plate number, and the direction it fled. Talk to any witnesses at the accident scene for information they may have about the hit-and-run vehicle. Furthermore, you should take photos or videos of the accident scene, the surrounding area, and the damage to your car. Note any nearby surveillance or traffic cameras. Finally, download and make copies of footage from your vehicle’s dashcam if you have one.
In the weeks and months after the accident, remember to obtain a copy of the police accident report, copies of the medical records of your accident injury treatment, all bills/invoices/receipts of expenses from the accident, and your pay stubs/income statements if you miss time from work.
File a Police Report
In Missouri, you should report a hit-and-run accident to law enforcement as soon as possible by calling 911 or the police’s direct number. Calling from the accident scene and providing any information you have about the fleeing vehicle may help officers track down the driver who hit you. Furthermore, an officer can come to the accident scene to prepare a police accident report, which can help you file car accident claims to recover compensation for your injuries or vehicle damage, as police reports can provide a neutral record of law enforcement’s findings from the crash.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Furthermore, you should alert your auto insurance provider about the crash as soon as possible. When you notify your insurer, you should explain that the other driver fled from the scene. You can also provide the insurance company with a copy of the police report or the report number. Contacting your insurer promptly after a hit-and-run accident can preserve your eligibility for coverage under your policy, especially if you have purchased uninsured motorist coverage. Although uninsured motorist coverage usually applies when an at-fault driver does not have insurance, insurance companies treat hit-and-run drivers as uninsured motorists, entitling hit-and-run accident victims to pursue uninsured motorist coverage if they have it in their policies.
Seek Medical Attention
You should also seek prompt medical attention after a car accident to get checked for injuries you suffered in the crash. Promptly diagnosing your injuries can help you establish a stronger connection between those injuries and the accident. Furthermore, you can begin immediate treatment for your injuries, which can improve your prognosis and reduce your recovery time.
Consult a Car Accident Attorney
Finally, when you get hurt in a hit-and-run accident in Missouri, hiring experienced legal counsel can help you seek financial recovery for your harm and loss. Contact Dreyer & Tinney Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to discuss your options after a hit-and-run.