Hit-and-run car wrecks can prove to be legally complicated due to the disappearance of one of the parties involved. This adds an extra layer of work in filing a lawsuit. If you sustained injuries in a crash and a driver fled the scene, a car wreck attorney can help. An experienced Cleveland hit-and-run car accident lawyer knows the steps to take and could assist you in trying to recover damages for your injuries.
What is a Hit-and-Run Accident?
A hit-and-run involves a collision between two vehicles where one of the drivers leaves the scene and is not immediately recovered by the police. The driver who leaves the scene is usually the one who caused the accident.
Hit-and-run cases are often rear-ended collisions, but head-on crashes or T-bones can occur as well. One common feature is that the striking driver does not usually sustain disabling injuries since they are composed enough to leaves the scene.
How an Attorney Can Investigate an Unknown Driver
If an attorney can get the license plate number or the name of the vehicle’s owner after a hit-and-run car wreck, they can conduct their own investigation. The goal is to identify the responsible insurance carrier to cover the damages suffered by the claimant.
Occasionally, it may be difficult or impossible to locate the faulty party. There may not be a license plate number or description of the car to work with, there might be no witnesses, or the police might be of no assistance. In these instances, the attorney for the injured party determines whether other insurance policies may apply. Another insurance policy could cover the client’s damages, including property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run
The first thing to do after an accident is to seek medical attention. If the injuries are severe, the person needs to have an ambulance to take them to a hospital. When their condition is stable, they should make sure a police report is made and contact a dedicated attorney who is familiar with hit-and-run car collisions.
Who Should I Contact after a Hit-and-Run?
Drivers should call the police to report the crash. The police inform the individual if they are not coming to the scene. If that happens, the person should go to the police station, fill out a police report, and provide them with any information they have, including a description of the vehicle, full or partial license plate number, or a description of the other driver. This creates a record of the incident.
Victims should contact an attorney as soon as they are capable. Injured individuals may think their insurance company is the next logical point of contact, but unfortunately, the insurance company is not always helpful. They often act similarly to the at-fault party’s insurance and do everything possible to devalue the case and pay as little as they can.
Hit-and-Run Car Accident Attorneys Could Help
It can be difficult if not impossible to locate a driver who fled the scene of a collision without legal or police assistance. Hiring a hit-and-run accident lawyer could make it much easier. Call Tittle & Perlmuter to see what an attorney can do for your case.
