Another car strikes yours, then speeds away before you can process what happened. Now your vehicle needs repairs, your injuries keep you from working and the responsible driver is gone.
If you were hurt in a hit-and-run crash, you may be worried about missing work and unsure how to cover your losses. A clear response can help you support the investigation and seek payment.
Your actions at the scene and afterward can shape the investigation and your insurance claim. Start with these measures to protect yourself and preserve proof.
Get to safety and call 911
Get yourself out of traffic if you face immediate danger, but avoid moving an injury-involved vehicle. Check for injuries, then call 911 for assistance. Ask how to obtain the official collision report number.
In Alabama, a driver whose crash injures someone or damages an occupied vehicle has a duty to stop at or near the scene. Reporting the incident promptly gives police an early opportunity to identify that driver.
Record what you remember
Once safe, write down the vehicle’s color, make, model and direction of travel. Include any part of the license plate and a description of the driver. Record these details while your memory is fresh.
Preserve evidence and witness information
Take pictures of your vehicle, injuries, debris, skid marks and the surrounding area. Get each witness’s contact details. Nearby footage could disappear, so identify any cameras for police or your attorney.
Obtain medical care and track your losses
Some injuries may appear hours after a crash. For that reason, a prompt medical evaluation can protect your health and document your symptoms. Those records may help establish that the collision caused your condition.
As your treatment continues, keep medical bills with repair estimates and proof of missed wages. These documents can show your financial losses.
Notify your insurer and review coverage
Report the crash to your insurer promptly and provide the police report when available. The coverage that applies generally depends on the type of loss. If police never identify the motorist, available uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may compensate you for injuries.
Medical payments coverage might help with eligible treatment costs regardless of fault. By contrast, collision coverage could pay for vehicle damage after the deductible. Each form of coverage has its own terms, exclusions and limits. Since the insurer may compare your statement with other evidence, provide accurate facts and avoid speculation.
Consider an attorney’s assessment
A personal injury attorney can review insurance provisions, communicate with insurers and secure time-sensitive proof. Counsel can also explain filing periods and assess possible sources of compensation if police identify the driver.
How you can regain a sense of control
A fleeing motorist can leave important questions unresolved even after you report the crash. As the investigation develops, new evidence or an insurance decision may determine which path remains available.
Reviewing those developments can help you recognize disputes involving fault, coverage or the extent of your losses. Information about motor vehicle accident claims may clarify how those issues can affect your recovery.