Every young driver should learn what to do in the event of an accident, including pulling over and exchanging information with others involved. Getting this information is critical so victims can pursue compensation from the other driver’s insurer if they have serious injuries.
Yet, some drivers fail to do what they should, and they instead drive away from the scene of the accident. What happens to your injury claim if you are involved in a hit and run?
The first thing you should do is contact a Tampa car accident attorney who can evaluate your options.
Get All Possible Information
No one should ever try to chase down a hit-and-run driver. But, as soon as you are in a crash, it is wise to get a picture of the vehicle and license plate - before you ever step out of the car. In this case, you will have information to help the police locate the driver if they speed off as soon as you open your car door.
Always call the authorities after a hit and run, as they need to file a report and know that a driver fled the scene and violated the law. They can use their police resources to try to locate the driver or at least include it in their police report. This report will be important for you to get full compensation for your injuries and losses.
Filing An Uninsured Motorist Claim
Your PIP policy should provide some coverage for your injuries. If your injuries are serious and your losses exceed your PIP coverage, your attorney can explore your other options. If the police find the driver, you can file a claim with their insurance (if they have any). If the driver is never located, you can file a claim with your own uninsured motorist coverage.
It is critical that drivers elect to have uninsured motorist coverage as part of their auto insurance. You never know when a driver might hit you without insurance or flee the scene. Uninsured motorist coverage treats hit-and-runs as if you were in an accident with an uninsured driver. Your policy should provide coverage beyond your PIP policy following a hit-and-run accident where you never learn the identity of the at-fault driver.
Just because you have uninsured motorist coverage does not mean it’ll be easy to get full compensation for your injuries. Your insurer can present challenges like any other insurance company. They might question the cause of the accident or the severity of your injuries to try to minimize your claim.
Always have an experienced car accident attorney handling your claim following a hit and run.
Learn How a Tampa Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
A hit and run can complicate the legal process, but you are in a better position if you have uninsured motorist coverage. Following a collision, consult with Hancock Injury Attorneys about your legal rights. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.