- Image Name: Hit and Run Accident in Pompano Beach
- ALT-TITLE: Steps to Take After a Hit and Run Accident in Pompano Beach
- Image Description: Police Standing on the Street with Vehicles Around
Have you noticed the increased number of car accidents lately?
Although the total count has been rising globally, it’s at an all-time high in cities like Florida. Why? Well, there are two reasons that make sense. The first reason is the high amount of traffic. The second is negligence behind the wheels, including driving under the influence, drowsy driving, speeding, etc.
Both the reasons mentioned above cause car accidents of different severity. These accidents may just be minor fender benders, intersection crashes, or fierce highway collisions. People usually suffer minor or severe injuries after a car accident, ranging from concussions to whiplash and spinal cord damage and fractures.
Some people decide to run away after a car accident if they are at fault, turning the accident into a hit-and-run case. Following are the reasons why some people leave the scene:
- They might not be insured
- They might be involved in other legal complications
- They might be afraid of the consequences
However, running away after a car accident is treated as a misdemeanor or a felony. If the police identify the hit and run drivers, they have to serve a sentence and pay for the damages. The person who suffers injuries, property damage, or even emotional trauma from a car accident deserves compensation.
Steps to Take After a Hit and Run Accident in Pompano Beach
People usually don’t know how to react in such chaotic situations. However, you should know what to do beforehand when facing something similar.
Continue reading the steps to take after a hit and run accident in Pompano Beach.
1) Track the Details
Do not try to follow the other party when you see them leaving the scene. Instead, observe the details that can help the police identify them. Click a picture of their license plate or try to memorize their license number if you don’t have enough time. Also, observe what kind of car they have in terms of color, make, and model.
Write down the details immediately so that you don’t forget them later. If you were able to get a look at the people in that car, write down their physical descriptions as well. These details can easily help you find the culprit.
2) Gather Proof
Staying alert and proactive in such situations may be very difficult. But if you want to get the deserved compensation, muster up the energy to collect all possible proofs of damage. It will make your personal injury and insurance claims stronger.
You can take pictures of the physical damages on the scene, the condition of your vehicle, road conditions, fallen signs, debris, tire marks, etc. Plus, the people present at the time of the crash are the witnesses to the incident. You can record or note down their names and statements.
3) Contact the Police
Informing the police is not compulsory if there is no damage involved. But if the accident has caused even the slightest damage to your car or body, report the incident immediately. They can help you collect the necessary evidence and catch the person responsible for your damage. Plus, a detailed police report on the incident is crucial for your personal injury case.
Plus, you cannot evaluate the severity of a car accident on your own. Why? Because some damages only become apparent over time. For example, what you consider a minor dent on your car may turn out to be a major structural issue upon its detailed evaluation. Similarly, what you consider a minor hit on the head might turn out to be a concussion. Therefore, it’s always better to contact the police even if the accident seems minor to you.
4) Get Yourself Checked
You obviously need medical help in the case of severe injuries. But what about the minor ones? They might not seem like a big deal to you right away. However, you still need to get checked by a doctor. Why? Because adrenaline rushing through your veins can subside the pain, making you feel fine at the moment, even if you are not. Also, some internal injuries cannot be detected immediately.
Moreover, consulting a doctor is not just about your health. No matter how minor your injuries are, you should get them documented by a doctor to show that you deserve compensation. Otherwise, the at-fault party or the insurer can claim that you are not severely injured.
5) Hire Legal Help
You need a lawyer to represent your insurance or personal injury claims. If you don’t have an idea about the hit and run laws, Pompano Beach Car Accident Lawyers can guide you in detail. Insurance companies often try to make the victims settle for less. However, you can easily get the compensation you deserve with an expert lawyer by your side.
A car accident lawyer explains all the legal options you have. They find and evaluate all the possible evidence to make your case stronger. They also negotiate a justified settlement with the defense attorney and insurance firms. They are your representatives in the trial before a judge and jury.
Final Words
A hit and run accident is undoubtedly one of the most traumatizing experiences of life. You not only have to go through the shock of the incident, but also worry about the medical bills, car repairs, and other expenses that follow. It isn’t fair when you have to pay for the recklessness of others.
The most important step to take after a hit and run accident in Pompano Beach is to hire legal expertise. Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers can help you deal with the aftermath of a hit and run accident effectively. They have handled numerous hit and run cases with success; you can count on them to represent your personal injury or insurance claim in the best way possible. They ensure you get the rightful compensation without any hassles. Plan a consultation with them to discuss the facts of your case.