Seeking Legal Counsel Is Critical To Having a Positive Outcome After A Hit-And-Run Accident
Many people are seriously injured or killed in car accidents involving a hit-and-run driver every year. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, “In 2016, there were 1,980 fatal hit-and-run crashes resulting in 2,049 fatalities. This is the highest annual number of hit-and-run fatalities or crashes recorded since NHTSA began compiling statistics on fatal motor vehicle crashes in 1975.” Victims of hit-and-run accidents should take a number of steps in order to preserve their health and financial well-being.
Step 1: Call 911 as Soon as Possible
Accident victims should call 911 as early as possible. The police will conduct an initial investigation in order to help identify the driver that left the scene. In many cases, hit-and-run collisions are captured by surveillance footage. It is also possible that the collision left fragments of the driver’s vehicle. These can be used to identify the car involved later on.
Step 2: Gather Evidence Related to the Crash
It is essential that evidence be properly preserved after any hit-and-run collision. What follows are just a few of the pieces of evidence you should gather if you are involved in a car accident with a hit-and-run driver.
- Photos: Be sure to take photos of the accident site. It is also important to take pictures of your own vehicle.
- Medical records: Be sure to gather all of the medical records related to your incident.
- Witness Statements: Hit-and-run collisions are often witnessed by one or more people. It is a good idea to get the contact information of all potential witnesses.
Some of the evidence that is important to a hit-and-run collision can be difficult to gather on your own. This could include surveillance footage from traffic cameras. An attorney can work on your behalf to help gather this kind of essential evidence.
Step 3: Seek Medical Care and Follow-Up Care
Hit-and-run collisions can often leave victims of car accidents with very serious injuries. It is essential that accident victims seek medical care as soon as possible. Many of these injuries may not be immediately obvious.
- Organ Damage: Victims of car accidents may sustain damage to their internal organs.
- Internal Bleeding: Victims of car accidents may sustain life-threatening internal bleeding.
- Psychological Injuries: Victims of car accidents may sustain very serious psychological injuries long after their physical injuries have healed.
It is also important to seek follow-up care after an initial evaluation. In many cases, an injury can progressively become worse over time. This is particularly true when injuries are left untreated.
Step 4: Contact an Experienced New York Hit-And-Run Accident Attorney
It can be hard to know where to begin if you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run collision. But it is important for accident victims to know that they do have legal rights. They may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a personal injury claim. In fact, they may be able to recover damages, even if the hit-and-run driver is never located.
If you or someone you care about has been injured due to the negligent actions of a hit-and-run driver, you may have legal recourse. Our team of New York hit-and-run accident lawyers at GLK Law is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney might be able to help with your particular situation, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
