new bedford car accident lawyerWho compensates you if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident? What’s the process for filing for a car accident claim in New Bedford and do you need to hire a New Bedford car accident lawyer to help you?

4 Factors to Consider in a New Bedford Car Accident Claim

Hit-and-run accidents are accidents that happen when a driver hits another car or a pedestrian and then flees the scene without helping the injured person or identifying themselves.

Recent research shows that the number of hit-and-run accidents in the United States has been on the rise for the past few years. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, approximately 682, 000 hit and run accidents happen each year. Since 2009, hit and run death have been increasing by 7.2% every year.

The biggest challenge that many hit-and-run accident victims face is the fact that the responsible parties aren’t caught. In most cases, you never get the chance to see the car or the driver that hit you. Meanwhile, you have to deal with medical bills, car repairs and so much more.

The good news is that you don’t have to suffer financially even if the hit-and-run driver is never found. We will give you a step-by-step method that you can use to ensure you get compensated.

What’s Biggest Reason for Doing a Hit and Run?

The simplest reason is that the drivers do not want to be held liable for their actions. A hit-and-run driver could be anyone that you can think of in society. It could be anyone in a respectable career or a criminal. Possible reasons they do not want to be held accountable because they were:

  • Driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
  • They were not insured
  • They were driving a stolen or a borrowed car
  • They did not have a valid driving license or their license was suspended
  • They are criminals with a warrant out for their arrest
  • They were carrying stolen goods or illegal drugs
  • They were avoiding traffic tickets
  • They were driving a company car and didn’t want their employer to learn about the accident
  • They were involved in illegal activity such as street racing when they ran into you

The above are just some of the scenarios that would make a negligent driver flee from an accident scene.

How Can You Protect Your Car Accident Claim?

What you do after a hit and run accdent will not only secure your claims for compenation, but it will also protect your physical health. Below are the steps that you should take:

Don’t Chase the Driver

It’s very tempting to chase the driver and hold him accountable for his actions. In fact, it might seem like a good idea but your actions might undermine your claim and create doubt as to whether your version of events really happened.

Report the Hit and Run

Your next step should be to call 911 and report the accident. Give the dispatcher as much information as you can such as whether you or anyone else was hurt. You can also give a description of the car that hit you in as much detail as possible.

Pen Down as Much Detail as You Can Remember

You can never have too much information about a car accident. Write down every detail that you can remember. Every bit of information can assist the police to find the driver. Information that could be useful includes:

  • The type of car being driven
  • The model of the car
  • License plate number
  • Color of the car
  • Gender of the car driver
  • Their age
  • How many passengers were in the car
  • What the driver was wearing and any other features on their bodies like a beard
  • If they threw anything outside the car

Get Medical Attention

Don’t ignore getting medical attention even if your injuries are not as severe. The shock and distress you experience after an accident can mask injuries.

Find Witnesses

Witnesses who saw what happened can help your case significantly. They might have information that can help you track the driver. You might need the help of a New Bedford car accident lawyer to help you access footage of CTV cameras installed in parking lots or nearby premises. The cameras might have captured the entire accident and other details such as the license plates.

New Bedford Car Accident Lawyer Can Get You Compensation

Dealing with insurance companies and medical bills can take a toll on someone who has just gone through a hit and run accident. Contact our New Bedford car accident lawyers for a free case evaluation. Additionally, we can also discuss compensation options with you.