If your car is hit in an accident and the driver drives off, it’s considered a hit and run. This also applies if your vehicle was parked. If you or a loved one is involved in an automobile accident in Fall River, MA, you can file for a car accident claim. However, the situation becomes complicated when the driver at fault flees the scene of the accident. In such a situation, you can either call your insurer or use a Fall River auto accident attorney to do so on your behalf.
What Should You Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Fall River, MA?
Call 911
If you or someone was injured, you should immediately call 911 and request for medical help. Once help is on the way, write down any details you remember about the car that hit you.
Contact Witnesses
If you are able to, ask around if anyone saw what happened and if they managed to record any details about the driver and the car. Write down their contact information in case your insurer or the police would want to talk to them.
Take Pictures
Take photos of your damaged car and of the accident scene as soon as it is safe to do so.
Report the Accident within 24 Hours
A hit and run accident in Fall River, MA is considered a crime and you should report it immediately to the police. If you are told that the damage is too minor to file a report, make sure that you get the officer’s phone number, name, and badge number so that an insurance adjuster will be able to follow up. If you don’t report the incident to the police, your insurer might consider it an “at fault” incident and this could affect your car insurance premium.
Call Your Insurer within 24 Hours
When you contact your insurer, you will be asked to provide the below information:
- Car registration information, driver’s license number, and insurance policy number
- Information about the hit and run
- Injuries sustained
- Property damage
- Information about other parties involved in the accident
- Contact information of witnesses
- Police report or police involvement.
