There is no state in the country in which it’s legal to leave the scene of a car accident except in cases of immediate medical need. In fact, if a person leaves the scene of an accident and another person is injured – even if it’s a minor injury – the driver can be charged with a felony.
That said, despite these hit-and-run laws, these types of accidents happen on California roads all the time. If you’ve been involved in this type of accident then there are some things you can do. Read on to learn more about them and then reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
-
Write down everything you can about the car that fled
-
Gather information from witnesses
-
Take pictures
-
Reach out to the police
-
Get medical care
-
File an insurance claim
-
Reach out to an attorney
We know that you likely only had a few seconds before the car drove away. That said, anything you remember about it could be useful. Write down the license plate number – or part of it, if you only saw part of it – the make and model of the car, the color of the vehicle, and any type of distinguishing feature or mark, including any damage done by the accident. Write down what direction the car was heading as well.
It’s common for bystanders who witnessed the accident to have more information and to remember it better than those who were involved. Get information from anyone who saw it and write down everything they can remember. Remember to get their contact info as well.
Take a picture of the scene of the accident, your vehicle, and any injuries. Take pictures of any property damage that occurred as well.
When the police come, tell them that the driver left the scene and share any info you have with them. The police report that will result from this info is a key part of your personal injury case.
Even if your injuries seem minor, remember that they can be worse than they seem. Get a medical evaluation even if you don’t think you have a significant injury. The doctors will not only help with any medical needs, but they will document your injuries.
You want to file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. Many insurance agencies have deadlines for these filings and if you miss it, then you may be out of luck.
Depending on what happens with the case, i.e. whether or not the police find the driver that hit you, your options will vary. However, it’s always worth it to reach out to a personal injury attorney who can let you know what recourse is available to you. When you work with Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, your consultation is completely free. Reach out to us today at 909-982-0707 to learn more about your options.
