What Should You Do After a Hit and Run in Connecticut?

Contact the Police or Call 9-1-1

If you are involved in a hit-and-run, the first thing you should do is check on everyone in your vehicle. The emergency dispatch line will need to know if there are any injuries. Next, contact the police or call 9-1-1. Never pursue the person who hit you for additional information. Wait at the accident scene until law enforcement arrives. After they have arrived and ensured everything is secure, they'll need your statements regarding what happened in order to move forward with their investigation.

Take Photos and Document the Details

You should document as much information as possible about the vehicle or driver who left the scene – such as license plate number, make and model of the vehicle, color, and direction of travel – to help law enforcement locate them. It's critical to obtain and document all relevant information from the day of your accident, such as contact info for any witnesses present, nearby companies or homes with video surveillance footage that may have recorded what transpired, images and videos demonstrating any harm caused to your vehicle, medical records pertaining to the incident (as well as subsequent doctor visits), and other pertinent data. Consider taking video of the scene, as it can provide important context that can often make a difference.When you have this data at hand, getting in touch with your insurance agency and a lawyer to handle your claim will be much more straightforward.

Know Your Rights

Knowing that law enforcement is working on your case when you have been the victim of a hit-and-run can be comforting, but while they are trying to find the offender, you still have accident-related expenses that will need to be paid.

In Connecticut, victims of hit-and-runs are entitled to compensation for their medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In some cases, punitive damages may also be available under the Connecticut Criminal Injury Compensation Act.

• If the driver is not found, your own insurance company may provide coverage for these damages up to the limits of your policy, but in some cases, they may try to deny or lowball your claim. If this happens, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side to fight for the compensation you deserve.
• If the driver who caused your accident is found, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against them that allows you to recover additional compensation for your damages. An attorney can help you navigate this process, ensuring that all deadlines are met and paperwork is filed in a timely manner.

No matter what situation you're in, it's essential to have an attorney represent you so that your compensation is fair.

Choose an Attorney Who Knows How to Deal with Insurance Companies

Choosing an experienced attorney who knows how to deal with insurance companies is important. Insurance companies are in the business of making money and often times they will try to minimize the amount of your claim or deny it altogether. Your attorney is there to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. They will also be able to review any settlement offers to make sure they are fair and reasonable.

Hit-and-run accidents can be even more complicated than typical motor vehicle accidents. As mandated by Connecticut legislation, you must have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in place. This insurance is meant to provide financial protection if a driver hits your vehicle and then flees the scene of an accident. While UM insurance policies should cover your property damage and medical costs (up to its limits), insurers will often attempt to evade their responsibility. Dealing with an insurance company in these types of situations can be daunting, confusing, overwhelming, and leave you with less compensation than you deserve - this is why you need an attorney as soon as possible in order to protect yourself and ensure that all of your rights are respected.

If You are a Victim of a Hit-and-Run, Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

If a hit-and-run driver has caused you injury in Connecticut, contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. Walker Injury Law firm, located in Enfield Connecticut, has extensive knowledge and experience in representing injured individuals. We will work to help you get the compensation you deserve and make sure that the driver is held accountable for their actions. With an attorney on your side, you can rest assured that all of your legal rights are being protected and that you're getting the best result possible. Don't go through this process alone - contact us to get started on your case.