The scene of a car accident is chaotic, and the last thing you are thinking about is that the person who hit you will run off. Sadly, this is a widespread occurrence in Philadelphia. However, when a driver runs away, that does not mean you are out of options. As a hit and run victim, you have options, especially when you contact a Philadelphia personal injury attorney. You don’t want to be left to pay for your expenses out of pocket and will want to ensure you do everything to bring a successful claim against the negligent party and their insurance company. Finding the hit and run driver is essential to your claim, and there are a few things you can do to improve your injury claim.
Gather evidence
As with any other motor vehicle accident, you will want to gather as much evidence as possible at the scene. This evidence will look slightly different for a hit and run. If you can take a photo of the car, as it drives away. If you can read license plates, you should write this down on your phone or a piece of paper. The license plate number will be critical to finding the vehicle’s owner and the culprit of the accident. If you see any witnesses around, you should gather their contact information. They may have seen something that can help your case.
Speak to witnesses
Many witnesses do not stick around for the authorities, so if you or your passenger can get their information, this will improve the chances of garnering a successful personal injury claim. Suppose you are at an intersection where businesses are. In that case, they may have caught the accident on security footage. If you physically can speak with local business owners and take down their information. You will need to provide all this information to your Philadelphia hit and run crash attorney.
Call emergency services
Calling emergency services is an obvious step, but it is often not done during a hit and run. When there is little to no damage, many drivers do not call the police and instead call their insurance company. However, it is vital to have an official accident report. Whether or not the driver is caught, you will need the accident report to file a successful claim. The police will investigate the claim and attempt to locate the fleeing driver. It is also the basis of your claim and serves as unbiased analysis of the scene and possible causes.
Suppose there is an injury; you will need to be immediately transported and evaluated by a medical professional. Delaying medical treatment is a big red flag in car accident claims. Medical attention immediately at the scene directly links the accident and your injuries, even if the driver disappears. Whether you file a car accident claim with your insurance company or the at-fault insurance driver, there must be evidence that the accident is the cause of your injury.
UM Insurance Coverage
When you purchase car insurance, you can add UM coverage. The underinsured motorist coverage protects you when you are struck by a motorist who does not have sufficient insurance coverage or no coverage. You can also tap into these benefits if you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident. There are policy limits that you must choose when purchasing your policy. You cannot buy this policy provision after being involved in a hit-and-run accident. The accident compensation you receive will depend on your injuries and damage. If your damages surpass your policy limits, you will be on the hook for the excess coverage. However, you must discuss your options with a Philadelphia hit and run crash attorney.
What happens if the driver denies responsibility?
When a driver attempts to deny they hit you and left the scene, your Philadelphia hit, and run crash attorney will have the evidence to show they did crash into you. Their vehicle will also have damage that corresponds with your vehicle’s damage. Witness statements and surveillance footage will also be crucial to the claim. After a hit and run, contact Kwartler Manus, LLC at (267) 457-5570 or fill out our online form.