After a car accident, you deserve to be fully compensated for the physical, emotional, and mental injuries you sustain. In addition to recovery from injuries and psychological trauma, there are also additional expenses, such as medical bills and lost wages, that you should not have to be responsible for. The added stress of these complications can even worsen pain and prolong recovery, keeping you out of commission and struggling to make ends meet on top of seeking justice.
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, the following advice can help you build a strong case that gets you the restitution you deserve.
Get as Much Documentation as Possible
Have a copy of the police report, medical records, and letters from doctors and a licensed therapist to illustrate the impact the accident has had on your life. Leaving the scene of a car accident is a crime punishable by law, and it may even result in jail time for the offending driver. Your own police report illustrates the validity of the situation, and it can offer a form of eyewitness statements from the responding officers that no other vehicle was present at the time of the report.
Medical records and documentation of additional care can further illustrate the extent of your injuries. It is important to have a licensed professional’s statement affirming that the pain and problems you report are directly caused by the hit-and-run incident.
Include Photos
Take as many photos of your car as possible, and show any damages that your vehicle sustained during the accident. If anyone witnessed the accident, ask them for a testimony and their contact information. They could also stand by and speak to officers so their witness statements are included in the actual police report. If you were hit by a vehicle and not driving, then you will need to rely on medical documents and a police report as the basis of your claim. Any x-rays or exam results should be provided to you to use as supporting evidence.
Speak to a Professional
Contact a car accident lawyer right away to ensure you follow the proper steps. There are legal requirements and important deadlines that must be met. A lawyer can also work with the police to request additional information you may not be able to acquire on your own. This can include monitoring footage from traffic or surveillance cameras to get a license plate number of the vehicle that fled the scene. It is a car accident lawyer’s job to help you build a sound case, find the perpetrator, and get the compensation you deserve.
It’s best to let an expert handle the logistics of a hit-and-run case while you recover. The stress of identifying the offender is best left to professionals who know where to look, how to request information, and the fastest way to thoroughly resolve a crime.
Author information: Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University and now writes articles about health, business, family, and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.
