Getting involved in a hit and run accident can be an extremely traumatic experience. Worse yet, if you’re injured, it can leave you feeling helpless and not sure what to do. Hit and runs often happen so fast that victims aren’t able to quite understand what happened and what actions to take next.
That’s why here at Rawlins Law of San Diego, we thought it pertinent to spell out the three steps anyone injured in a hit and run accident should take to help gain back control and get the justice they deserve:
Seek A Medical Professional
The first key to getting through the aftermath of a hit and run accident is to seek a medical professional immediately. Call 911 or another emergency service and get yourself to a doctor or physician as soon as possible to evaluate your injuries and make an official record of the harm you’ve sustained. This will play an important role in court later on as you present your case and demand financial compensation.
Additionally, as is the nature of many hit and run situations, your insurance company may drag its feet on helping you. Keeping a detailed tally of your medical expenses and their causes will help ensure that you’ll be given the right levels of financial assistance that you deserve. Nobody should be paying out of pocket for someone else’s crime. If you’ve been hurt by a hit and run, getting into a medical office is the best thing you can do to start the justice process.
Make Sure You’re Protected
Even if you have insurance, and someone else is at fault for striking your car, you may still be exposed to undue risk. There is a very real possibility that the person behind the other wheel may not have elected to pay the minimum liability required by law. That’s going to lead to some major problems. Both under and uninsured motorist coverage policies serve important purposes. Learn more here.
Contact a Lawyer
Once you’ve addressed your most immediate medical needs and created a record of your hit and run injuries, it’s time to call a lawyer. Find one with extensive experience with hit and run accidents, as that’s a great sign that they’ll be familiar with the best ways to navigate the intricate legal system surrounding this type of claim. Unfortunately, when left alone, the odds of victims receiving their deserved level of support and compensation are slim.
With a lawyer, however, you substantially increase the chances that your case will yield the financial relief you need. At Rawlins Law, we’ve worked hard to create a reputation for success in the injury law world. We consistently fight and get results for our clients using a mix of compassionate service and skillful legal strategies. Together, we’ll stand strong as we take on the insurance agencies and the party that injured you.
Compile Relevant Information
One of the biggest hurdles in a hit and run case is the lack of evidence and information regarding the incident. Now that you’ve taken care of your injuries and contacted a lawyer, it’s time to work wither or him to compile as much information as you can about what happened. Take a look at the incident report you filed when you got to your medical professional or spoke to emergency services. What other details are there that can help your cause?
Think back to remember if there were any witnesses to the incident, and see if you can get statements from them as well. One of the best pieces of evidence to go after is camera footage. Whether that means reaching out to the local authorities to see if they may have caught the accident on film, or even checking with other drivers with dash cameras that could have captured the hit and run. The more information you’re able to put together about the assailant and the incident as a whole, the better your chances are of being fully compensated for the harm you sustained.
Call Rawlins Law
If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit and run accident, reach out and talk to Rawlins Law of San Diego. Firm founder Ashley Rawlins provides honest, ethical, and compassionate representation, and she will give you clear information on where your case stands and what she needs from you to win it! To schedule a free consultation, please call the Rawlins Firm at 858-257-8778.
