You were just the victim of a hit and run accident. You’re probably wondering what you need to do to report the hit and run claim. Here’s are the steps you should take following the accident.
Call the Police
When you file your hit and run claim, you’ll need a copy of the police report, so the first thing you should do is call the police. If you were injured in the accident, you may need to get checked out by a doctor, so be sure to ask the operator to send an ambulance as well if you think you need to go to the hospital. On the other hand, if the hit and run occurred while your car was parked and you weren’t inside the vehicle, you may need to go to the police station to report the accident.
Gather as Much Information as Possible
If you aren’t injured, you’ll also need to gather as much information as you can so that you can file a detailed hit and run claim with the police and your insurance. Here are a few things to check when gathering information about the accident:
- Look for witnesses
- Write down what you know about the other car
- Write down your own memories to keep them fresh
- Take pictures of the damage
- Check security footage
Witnesses can give you details that you might have missed, such as the license plate number or a description of the other car and driver. Be sure to collect contact information from any witnesses you talk to after the accident. You may need these people to testify or talk to your insurance.
Writing down everything you know right after the accident can be crucial to getting compensation. If you can, write anything you might have noticed about the other car, including the license plate number, a description of the other car and driver, and the direction they were driving. If you didn’t witness the accident, write what you do know about what happened. At the very least, note the date and time of the accident, the damage to your vehicle, and where the accident happened. You should do this in addition to taking pictures of the damage.
Another way to find out more about the accident is to ascertain whether any security cameras captured the event. Check with nearby stores to see if you can access their footage.
File a Hit and Run Claim with Your Insurance
After calling the authorities and gathering as much information as possible, it’s time to call your insurance to file a claim. Once you find out whether your insurance will cover the damage, report your claim and give your insurer the information that you have about the accident.
Pay Your Deductible to Start the Repair Process
If you want to get the ball rolling on repairs to the damage your car suffered, you will need to first pay your deductible. This is the amount on your insurance policy that you are responsible for before your insurance will start to pay for repairs. Check your policy for the amount that you need to pay.
Need help getting the compensation you need from your hit and run claim? Contact the attorneys at Pacin Levine, Attorneys at Law today.
