When you are the victim of a hit and run accident, you may feel as if there is no hope. However, five steps will allow you to be prepared and handle this situation correctly if ever you are involved in a hit and run car accident. After your accident, you should contact the police, your insurance company, Mickey Fine, and emergency personnel if you are injured. Writing down all of the information you can about the car that hit you as well as identifying witnesses can also help your case. Below, we will go through these steps in a little more depth.
Contact Emergency Personnel and Report the Accident
Your priority after an accident should be your immediate safety. If anyone is injured, call 911 right away. It is very important that everyone involved in the accident sees a medical professional so their injuries can be correctly diagnosed.
Filing a police report is another essential aspect of this process. The Bakersfield Police Department or The California Highway Patrol will develop a report on what happened in your accident. Since you were involved in a hit and run, your recollections are very important in this process. This police report will also be used in your case down the road as essential evidence. It is important that you not over exaggerate any of the details. Provide information on exactly how you believe your accident occurred. It is also important that you provide all of the details that you can about the driver who hit you.
Document All Available Information
It’s important to write down everything you can remember about the accident. The other driver’s license plate number is one of the most crucial pieces of information you should write down if you were able to see it. If you can write down the license plate number of the vehicle, the police will have an easier time finding the driver of the other car. Any specifics about the look of the other car are also important in this situation. This information could include the make and model of the car, as well as things like bumper stickers, and other small details. If possible, you should also include a description of the driver and the time that your accident took place.
You can also write down details about the environment. These can include:
- Weather at the time of the accident
- Conditions of the road
- If you were stopped at a red light, stop sign or in a parking lot
Identify and Obtain the Information of Witnesses
After your accident, it is important that you try and obtain the information of the people who witnessed it. Speak with them and ask if they would be willing to be a witness. If they agree, write down their name, contact information and a detailed description of what they saw. Inform them that you will only share their information with the police and your personal injury lawyer. Witnesses are very beneficial in a hit and run case because they can confirm the event from a third-party, non-biased perspective.
Contact Bakersfield Personal Injury Attorney, Mickey Fine
Mickey Fine is an experienced personal injury attorney who has helped victims of accidents in Bakersfield obtain compensation for their injuries. He will be able to help you through the legalities of your case while you concentrate on healing from your injuries. Mickey will gather evidence, utilize expert witnesses, and interact with the insurance companies, all so you don’t have to. You will feel comfortable knowing that Mickey Fine will be by your side every step of the way throughout your hit and run case.
Contact Your Insurance Company
The last step you should take after a hit and run accident is to call your insurance company. Be sure to share with them the information that you have gathered, including any witness statements. They may also ask for a police report and pictures that you may have of the scene. You should meet with your insurance agent to discuss your coverage. Depending on the type of insurance coverage you have, you may be covered after a hit and run accident. Mickey Fine can help with this process and help you understand the ins and outs of your insurance policy to help avoid confusion.
In the end, it is important to know that you are not alone after a hit and run accident in Bakersfield. Mickey Fine is here to help in any way that he can. It all starts with contacting him. If you are ever involved in a hit and run accident in Bakersfield, contact Mickey Fine right away so he can discuss your case with you. It costs you nothing to see if you have a case.