After a hit and run accident, prioritize your safety and call 911. Document as much information as you can about the vehicle, driver, and accident. Report the crash promptly, and seek medical attention to protect the value of your claim.
An experienced car accident lawyer in Buffalo can help you understand your options, including whether insurance coverage may provide compensation for your losses. Steve Foley Law Firm can provide the information you need to make informed decisions about what to do after a hit and run.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Hit and Run?
Your priority after a hit-and-run should be your safety. If you can do so safely, move your vehicle out of traffic and check yourself and others for injuries.
After a hit and run accident, you should immediately:
- Move to a safe location if possible: Get out of the path of traffic if you can safely move your vehicle or yourself without creating another hazard.
- Check for injuries: Look for injuries to yourself and anyone else involved. Do not ignore pain or other symptoms simply because they seem minor.
- Call 911 when necessary: Request emergency medical care if anyone is injured. Police should also be notified so the collision can be documented and investigated.
- Do not chase the fleeing driver: Do not follow or confront the other driver. Doing so could put you or others at greater risk.
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What Information Should You Gather After a Hit-and-Run?
If the other driver leaves the scene, any information you can safely collect may help police identify the vehicle and support your claim. Do not put yourself in danger while trying to gather evidence. Steve Foley Law Firm will use all available information to strengthen your claim.
If you are able, try to record or remember:
- Vehicle make, model, color, and license plate number: Even partial plate information or a general description may be useful.
- Description of the driver: Note the driver’s appearance or clothing if you were able to see them.
- Direction the vehicle traveled: Record where the vehicle went after leaving the scene.
- Photos and videos: Photograph or record the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and other visible evidence.
- Names and contact information of witnesses: Ask anyone who saw the collision to provide their name and contact information so they can share what they witnessed with police or your attorney.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention After a Hit-and-Run?
You should seek medical attention as soon as possible after a hit-and-run, even if you initially don’t notice any symptoms. Some injuries, like whiplash, may not cause noticeable symptoms right away, and waiting to get care can make it harder to understand the full extent of your injuries.
A prompt medical evaluation can help identify injuries, establish a record of your condition after the collision, and ensure you receive appropriate treatment. Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations and attend follow-up appointments as needed.
Keep records of your medical visits, diagnoses, treatment, prescriptions, and accident-related expenses. These records can help document the impact of the collision and the costs you have incurred. Steve Foley Law Firm will use a wide range of medical evidence to show the full extent of your injuries.
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How Can a Hit-and-Run Lawyer Help?
A hit-and-run can make an already difficult situation more complicated, especially when the other driver has not been identified. An experienced car accident lawyer can help investigate the collision, determine what insurance options may be available, and build a claim based on the evidence.
A hit and run attorney from Steve Foley Law Firm will:
- Investigate the collision: Review how the crash happened and identify evidence that may help establish what occurred.
- Help identify potentially responsible parties: Examine available information to determine whether the fleeing driver or another party may be held responsible.
- Review available evidence: Analyze police reports, witness accounts, photographs, videos, vehicle damage, and other relevant evidence.
- Handle insurance communications: Communicate with insurance companies and help protect you from making statements that could hurt your claim.
- Evaluate damages and pursue compensation: Assess medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other applicable losses.
- Prepare the case for litigation when necessary: If a fair resolution cannot be reached, an attorney can prepare the case for court and pursue your interests through litigation.
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Contact Steve Foley Law Firm After a Hit-and-Run
A hit-and-run can leave you unsure where to turn, especially when the driver who caused the collision cannot be found. If you were injured, speaking with an experienced attorney can help you understand your legal and insurance options.
Steve Foley Law Firm brings extensive trial experience to personal injury cases and understands how insurance companies evaluate these claims. Our team has over 75 years of combined experience guiding injured victims through the legal process.
We can explain the next steps for pursuing compensation. If a fair resolution cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to court. Call today for a free case evaluation.
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