What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident

April 10th, 2019

Auto accidents can be expensive, but filing claims against the other drivers’ insurance policies can help injured victims recover compensation for their medical bills and lost wages. However, that option isn’t always available right away for victims of hit-and-run accidents—especially when the at-fault drivers can’t be tracked down or identified.

If you were recently the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you may feel like you’re out of luck when it comes to filing a compensation claim. However, there are still a few options available to you when it comes to recovering money for the damages you’ve incurred.

4 Steps All Hit-and-Run Victims Should Follow

Wondering what to do after your hit-and-run accident? Following these important steps can help you protect your health and your rights to compensation:

  1. Call 911—Calling 911 accomplishes two important things. First, it dispatches an ambulance to the accident scene, which can help you and other victims get immediate medical attention. Second, it dispatches a police officer to the scene, who can file an accident report and interview witnesses—which can help law enforcement find the person who caused the crash.
  2. Get medical treatment—Auto accident injuries can be serious, but they’re not always obvious. Even if you don’t think you were seriously injured, you should still go to the hospital or visit a doctor right away. In addition to ruling out internal injuries, it will also create a medical record of the other injuries you suffered during the crash.
  3. Report the crash to your insurance provider—Auto insurance companies require notification of auto accidents within a short timeframe—often just a day or two after crashes occur. Reporting your accident not only satisfies this requirement, but it can also open up the possibility of recovering compensation from your own insurance policy.
  4. Call a lawyer—Getting an experienced Louisiana auto accident attorney on your side can be the difference between paying out of pocket for your hit-and-run accident expenses and getting full compensation. At Dudley DeBosier, we’ll do everything in our power to help you get the money you deserve, regardless of whether the driver who caused the crash is identified.

We don’t think you should have to go it alone after a crash, and it’s our goal to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact a Louisiana car accident lawyer at Dudley DeBosier today, and let us get to work for you.