How to Claim Insurance for Hit and Run Accidents?
There are a number of things you can do after a hit-and-run accident that will make it easier for you to get your car repaired and your claim settled. The first step is to call the police and file a report, according to Carrie Bonney of Farmers Insurance. This is important because you will need to provide the name, address, and driver’s license number of anyone involved in the accident.
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Then, you should take pictures of the scene and any damage to your vehicle, as well as any skid marks. This information will help the insurance company and the police find out who is at fault.
It’s also a good idea to record witness statements. This can help your lawyer determine the truth about what happened if you decide to pursue legal action. It also helps police narrow their pool of suspects and reduces the chances that the person responsible for your damages is hiding somewhere.
Next, you should ask bystanders if they saw anything. They may be able to supply more details about the other car or even the person who left the scene. Businesses in the area might have surveillance cameras that recorded helpful information, too.
Afterward, you should contact your insurer to file a claim. This can take a while, depending on your insurer and the policy. But if you can do it soon after the accident, your memory will be fresh and you’ll be in a better position when it comes time to make a claim with the other driver’s insurer.
Your claim is usually inspected by an adjuster, who will then contact you for additional details and information about the accident. Once all of this is gathered, your insurance provider will decide what coverage you’ll have to pay for the accident.
What You Can Do If You’re Not Covered?
In some states, you can sue a hit-and-run driver for damages if their liability insurance isn’t enough to cover your injuries or property damage. This can help you recover compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitative costs, renovations to your home or vehicle if you were paralyzed, and more.
What You Can Do If You’re Still Injured?
If you are still injured in a hit-and-run, you should seek medical care immediately. In New York, you have PIP insurance that pays for medical expenses and lost income if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence.
This type of insurance can also be used to help you recover your lost earnings if the other driver didn’t have any insurance at all. Alternatively, you could work with an attorney to recover compensation through your personal injury lawsuit.
What You Can Do If You’re Identified?
If the other driver is found, they will likely have to pay for any property damages you caused and their injuries, which can be very expensive. In some cases, you can even sue them for punitive damages.