If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident, the offender can face criminal charges under Kentucky law. However, the fact that the wrongdoer may have to pay fines or serve jail time does nothing to help you recover your losses due to an injury. You may incur costly medical bills for treatment, lost income from being out of work, and experience extreme pain and suffering. You have options to get compensation from the hit-and-run driver, but it’s important to have an experienced car accident attorney on your side. You should know what to do after this type of accident in order to protect your rights.
Seek Proper Medical Treatment
Your health and the health of your passengers is the primary consideration after any car accident, including a hit-and-run. Call for an ambulance if necessary. Even if you think your injuries aren’t severe, go to your doctor as soon as possible to assess your condition. If you wait too long, an insurance company may reduce your compensation because there’s a presumption that your injuries aren’t severe.
Contact Law Enforcement
As soon as you’re able, you should call 911 to inform police about the hit-and-run accident. An officer will arrive at the scene and gather information about the incident and driver. This will hopefully aid in the investigation to identify and make an arrest. If you can recall, provide such details as:
- The make and model of the vehicle;
- The color and any unique characteristics about the car;
- Any part of the license plate number;
- The physical description of the driver, such as gender, hair color, clothing, facial hair or other information.
Talk to Your Insurance Agent
While authorities are investigating the criminal aspects of your hit-and-run accident, you should contact your own auto insurance company. Your policy will typically require you to provide notice of the incident within a certain amount of time to be compensated for such losses as medical expenses and lost wages.
Consult with a Car Accident Attorney
Hit-and-run accidents can be even more complicated that crashes with known drivers, so talk to a lawyer about your situation as soon as possible after the collision.
Did you suffer injuries in a hit-and-run car accident in Kentucky?
Our attorneys at Harville Law Offices, PLLC can help you recover compensation for your losses, even when the incident involves a hit-and-run driver. We have represented clients in all types of car accident cases, assisting them through the complicated process of settlement discussions with insurance companies and in court. If you have questions about your rights and would like to discuss your options, please contact our Louisville office at (502) 245-2333 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We take on cases in Lexington, Owensboro, Bowling Green, and throughout the surrounding region.
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