John Price Law Blog

How to Handle a Hit & Run

This was featured as part of our Monday segment on Charleston’s 105.5 The Bridge on July 23rd, 2018. You can catch us every other Monday morning at 8:15 am ET for the latest law tips and legal news.

Unfortunately, hit and run accidents happen. A driver ran a red light, or didn’t see your car, but for some reason decided to flee the scene. Perhaps, the driver at fault chose not to stick around because they were driving under the influence, or on a suspended license. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to know how to handle a hit and run.

Gather Evidence

The first step when involved in a hit and run is to gather evidence. You should take note of the model, make and license plate number of the car that hit you. If any witnesses were present during the time of the accident, ask for their names and contact information. Next, you want to record the time and location of the accident as well as take pictures of the scene and of your car. Gathering evidence will later help the authorities catch the driver who hit you. Also, evidence will help your car insurance company make decisions about your claim.

Call The Police

After you gather evidence, call the authorities. You need to file an accident report that includes the names of the witnesses. Even if the police can’t find the driver who hit you, the report will later help your insurance claim process go smoother.

Contact Insurance Company

Finally, file a claim with your insurance company. If you were able to identify the person who hit your car, you can file a claim with their car insurance company. However, if you were not able to identify the driver, or they don’t have enough insurance to cover the costs, you can file a claim with your car insurance company. Claims include: uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD).

Remember to follow these three steps if you’re involved in a hit and run. At John Price Law Firm, we care about your safety, so if you were recently involved in an motor vehicle accident please call us at (843) 832-6000. We provide an initial consultation with no initial fee.