.png)
Knowing what to do in the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident in Connecticut can be challenging and stressful. Many accident victims struggle to find a way forward in the weeks and months immediately following a crash, and victims feel they are forced to deal with insurance companies that place profits above people.
This post offers tips on what to do if you have been involved in a hit-and-run collision and the benefits you can expect from hiring a car accident attorney.
Contact the Police
The first thing to do after a hit-and-run accident is to contact the police. Do not attempt to follow the hit-and-run vehicle. Stay at the scene of the crime until the police have arrived. Once the police have arrived and secured the accident scene, they will need to gain information from you regarding the collision.
Document The Facts and Take Photos
If possible, attempt to write down critical information such as the other vehicle's license plate number, the make, model, and color of the vehicle that hit you. Make notes about what you observed in your surroundings and any details you were able to observe about the driver of the hit-and-run vehicle. It's totally fine if the information you have is incomplete. Even a partial license plate number is better than nothing. Take as many photographs as you can of your vehicle, such as the front, back and both sides. Consider taking video of the scene, as it can provide important context that can often make a difference.
Failing to stop after a collision is a crime in most jurisdictions. After you have been involved in an accident, you may provide the police with photographs and documentation you gathered.
It's best to refrain from commenting about the incident on social media.
Reach Out to an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
While the police will take the lead in the criminal prosecution of the individual who hit you, law enforcement have no role in helping you obtain civil compensation for lost wages, damages, and injuries. In other words, the police will do the investigatory work to track down the individual responsible for your pain and suffering, but they won't help you recover financial compensation for your losses.
Personal injury attorneys specialize in helping accident victims obtain the monetary compensation they deserve for any physical and emotional suffering they incurred from the accident. Meeting with a lawyer who specializes in personal injury and wrongful death litigation can bring much needed stress relief to accident victims. Most accident victims find it valuable to at least meet with an attorney to discuss obtaining legal assistance.
If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident, it is critical to reach out to a personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. Such an attorney can help to speed up your recovery process by allowing you the time to focus on your healing while your attorney deals with the legal battles. Should you be injured in a hit-and-run accident, contact the experienced attorneys at Hirsch Andrade LLP at 203-331-8888 to learn more about how we will fight to get you the just compensation you deserve for the damages, injuries, and lost wages you incurred from your hit-and-run accident.