New Jersey Injury Lawyers Blog6 Steps to Take If You’re A Victim of a Hit-and-Run
Under most circumstances when you are involved in an accident you pull over, if possible, then exchange insurance information with the other driver. But what if the other driver leaves the scene? Can you still file a lawsuit in a hit and run accident when you don’t know who the other driver is? Yes, you can still file a lawsuit if you are a victim of a hit-and-run accident and do not know the identity of the other driver.
- If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, whether you are a driver, cyclist or pedestrian, your first step is to check yourself and any passengers you may have for injuries. Understand that shock can mask injuries.
- If able, move yourself and your vehicle to a safe place away from traffic, call 911 to report the accident and request medical attention, if necessary.
- Remain at the scene until emergency services arrive. While waiting, note any information you can remember that may identify the vehicle that hit you – color and make of the vehicle, license plate number, etc., along with any details about the driver’s appearance and the direction they traveled when leaving the scene. If possible, take photos of the damage to your vehicle along with road conditions, debris, skid marks.
- Gather what information you can from any witnesses that may be present. Ask for their names and phone numbers and an account of what they may have seen. Also check the area for surveillance cameras that may have captured the accident as it happened.
- File a police report. Be sure to get the report number or a copy of the report for your insurance claim.
- Report the accident to your insurance carrier and ask them to open an uninsured motorist (UM) claim.
In New Jersey, even if you don’t know who caused the accident, you can file a lawsuit for your injuries by filing an uninsured motorist claim against your own automobile insurance carrier and/or the insurance carrier of any relative you reside with. In New Jersey, a hit-and-run motor vehicle is deemed to be the same as an uninsured motor vehicle. Therefore, if you are involved in a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident, you can pursue an uninsured motorist claim.
Whenever an accident results in any injury, it is important to contact an experienced Personal Injury attorney to ensure that your rights as a victim are protected.