A hit-and-run occurs when a vehicle runs into another car, person, or cyclist and doesn’t stop. Instead, they leave their victim to deal with the situation alone. This could mean repair costs, medical bills, and being forced to miss work. You shouldn’t be burdened with these costs when you didn’t cause the wreck.
Read below to learn some of the do’s and don’ts of Chicago hit-and-run accidents and how legal representation can help you get compensation in the long run.
Your first concern after a hit-and-run car crash should be to get medical treatment. You and anyone else involved need to be evaluated by a doctor to determine precisely how you were injured. Make sure you tell the emergency room or trauma center everything that hurts. Don’t leave anything out, no matter how small.
This immediate care will establish a baseline for your injuries. After that, you should follow up with your primary care physician or any specialists as recommended. If you fail to get the necessary treatment, the insurance company may claim you aren’t injured.
If you can walk around after the accident, ask witnesses for their contact information. You should get their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Your lawyer will want to speak with everyone who witnessed the crash later.
The witnesses can help you find the person who hit your vehicle and left the scene in a hit-and-run. They can also provide information regarding who was at fault.
Right when you’re able, make a note of details of the car that hit you. You can write these details down in a note on your phone or with a pen and paper if you have one in your car. You should also tell the police officer that arrives exactly what you remember.
Make sure you record the make, model, and color of the car. If you remember any other details, such as the license plate number, damage to the vehicle, bumper stickers, or other characteristics, then write that down.
You might be tempted to chase the vehicle that hit you and sped away. You should never do that. The person may be intoxicated or aggressive toward you.
Don’t engage the other driver in any way. Simply record as much information as you can about the person and their vehicle and let the police handle the situation.
The only reason you should leave the scene of the wreck is to obtain medical care via ambulance. Do not leave the scene before the police arrive. If you leave, you may be charged with leaving the scene of an accident as well as the other driver who didn’t stop.
It’s essential to work with a personal injury lawyer when dealing with a hit-and-run accident. Your lawyer can investigate to determine exactly what happened and try to find the person who caused your accident. An experienced attorney will know what to look for and where to find evidence. They will also understand the insurance process if a driver cannot be found and navigate a possible uninsured motorist claim.
At Staver, we know how to handle a hit-and-run. Our Chicago injury lawyers have worked with countless people facing difficult situations like this. We will help you obtain the most compensation possible, even if we can’t find the person who caused your wreck.
Our car accident attorneys serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan. To learn more about your options after a hit-and-run, call Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. today at (312) 236-2900, or use our online contact form to reach out for a free, no-risk consult.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
