Hearing about someone else’s encounter with a terrible car accident creates visceral feelings inside your body and mind. You feel overwhelmed, as you fear it could be you, also. Now, what happens when you get into such an unpleasant event? It can be traumatizing. The suddenness of the incident and the case of the liable driver fleeing can make you wonder what to do and how to find justice. Whether you live in San Diego or elsewhere, you are eligible for compensation as a victim. But you would need the support of a qualified lawyer to strengthen your case. They can fight on your behalf to help you get justice for the injuries you faced because of the other person’s fault.
So, consulting auto accident injury lawyers in your city is essential. At the same time, let’s understand a few other things you should manage.
-
Get in touch with the police!
In the hit-and-run case, you must first move yourself and your vehicle to a safe side and switch on the hazard lights. Dial the emergency number if there have been injuries. Get medical attention, no matter how minor the scars feel. Sometimes, symptoms emerge much later. Hence, prioritize your and other people’s health affected by the accident. As soon as this is done, you can contact the police on 911 to report the accident. They will need specific details. Please share them and take the official report once they reach the site. Ensure you have been thorough with the information, which will be handy in settlement and lawsuit proceedings. You can ask the team what they will do to locate the fleeing driver.
-
Inform the insurance company!
While police gather evidence, you will seek guidance from a car accident lawyer. They can talk to your car insurer to understand your coverage’s benefits. The insurance company will also probe into the accident. For this, they will need evidence and other details from your end. Your cooperation will help them. Remember, your insurance company may have to cover some costs related to repairs and medical bills per your insurance policy. If you have personal injury protection, the company can pay for medical expenses and lost earnings to a certain degree. They can also tell you about the claim process and the legal action you can take against the offender. But everything should happen within the deadline to avoid the risk of claim rejection.
If you hire a lawyer, you will only worry a little about this. They know when and how to execute these steps well. Also, insurers care more about their profit than compensating their clients. You can expect to get a fair amount with a lawyer’s backing.
-
Report the case to the motor vehicles department!
You may also have to inform DMV about the hit-and-run case in a few jurisdictions. They will make an official record and may help locate the at-fault driver. You can check the local codes to understand if this step is necessary. Generally, lawyers share all the specific requirements and assist with the process. Still, keep this point also in mind.
Other than these, the victim must also prepare a list of expenses caused by the accident, file a claim, and submit all the details to the authorities on time. It can be too much to handle this amid the ugly experience you have been through. So, find a lawyer to support you in these challenging times.
