What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident

Getting into a hit and run accident is never a good thing, but the situation can be worse if you’re unprepared and don’t know what steps to take. Knowing what to do can make the difference between minor injuries and catastrophic injuries, as well as a settlement that covers a fraction of your costs and the settlement that you deserve. To help you and the drivers in your household be ready for a hit and run, the New Orleans car accident lawyers at Mike Brandner Law have prepared a list of steps to take should you get into a hit and run accident.

Check Your Body for Injuries

Most people get a surge of adrenaline after getting hit by a car. This is a natural reaction that’s part of the “fight or flight” response. While adrenaline can give you a burst of strength, it can also mask injuries. This is why the first thing you should do is to make sure that you don’t have any apparent injuries after a hit and run accident.

Cuts and lacerations are the easiest to see because of blood. After checking for those, slowly move each limb to make sure that your arms and legs aren’t damaged. Next, get up slowly to make sure that you haven’t injured your back or core muscles. As soon as you’re able to, move to a safe place to make sure that oncoming traffic won’t hit you.

Call the Police

Contacting the police is an important step following any type of car accident, but is especially important following a hit and run. Calling law enforcement as soon as you’re able to increases the chances of finding the motorist that hit you.

Of course, there are several other reasons why contacting the police as soon as possible is important. If you or any of your passengers have been injured then medical attention should be sought immediately. Additionally, having the police file a report of your accident can be an essential element of maximizing your settlement. Whether you need assistance from the police, an ambulance, or a fire department, you should call 911 as soon as you’re safe.

Collect Supporting Evidence

Identifying a vehicle that hit you and took off can be challenging, but modern technology has made it easier. If your car is equipped with a dashcam, then footage may be able to identify the culprit, especially if your system uses multiple cameras. If possible, try to grab your dashcam’s memory card before exiting your vehicle. As you’re waiting for the police to arrive, take photos of any damage to your vehicle, other property damage, and road conditions.

If there are any people that witnessed the accident then you should ask them to provide testimony for the official police report. If they have video footage of the hit-and-run driver then ask them to send it to you, so that it can be used as evidence. You should also check for any traffic cameras near you; if there are then there’s a good chance that the driver’s license plate number was caught on camera. Every bit of information helps when it comes to building a case for your settlement, so gather as much as you can.

Request a Police Report

If the insurance company is giving you a hard time about your settlement then you’ll need official documentation, such as a police report, to build your case. Obtaining your police report is one of many services that our legal team can provide. Our team is dedicated to handling all of your legal needs so that you can focus on rest and recovery.

Contact a Louisiana Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

Once you’ve received any emergency medical attention you need and you’ve gathered your initial documentation then you should strongly consider contacting a Louisiana personal injury lawyer. Many people call their insurance company first and quickly discover that the company they diligently pay premiums to is not on their side.

Some insurance companies will try to pressure you into accepting a quick settlement that seems good at a glance, only for you to discover that it only covers a fraction of your expenses. Other insurance companies will use “deny, delay, defend” tactics in order to wear you down; their goal is to use their vast resources to frustrate you, in hopes that you’ll eventually accept a low settlement.

The hit and run accident lawyers at Mike Brandner Law understand the shady tactics used by insurance companies. More importantly, our lawyers are well versed in defeating these tactics. Need proof? Just look at our long history of winning results for our clients.

Mike Brandner Is Here for You

Hit and run accidents can be frightening and stressful under the best circumstances. Mike Brandner Law hopes that the information above will have you prepared and make things easier for you in the event of a hit and run. If you’ve been involved in such an accident then give us a call at the phone numbers listed below or reach out to us online through LiveChat. You can also submit your case information online through our secure online form.

Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you after a hit and run accident. Contact Mike Brandner Law today and take the first step towards getting the money that you deserve for your accident.