I Was a Pedestrian in a Hit-and-Run: What Do I Do Now?

Hit-and-run accidents can be devastating for the injured pedestrian, resulting in severe injuries, high medical costs, disrupted livelihoods, and lasting psychological harm. After surviving a hit-and-run, your focus should initially be on receiving proper medical treatment and helping the police catch the perpetrator. A car accident lawyer in San Antonio can then help you recover financial compensation for your losses and get your life back on track. 

I Was a Pedestrian in a Hit-and-Run: What Do I Do Now?

Report the Crime to the Police 

Fleeing the scene of an accident involving a serious injury or death is a third-degree felony in Texas, punishable by two to ten years in state prison. As the injured party, you also have a right to pursue civil litigation against the driver who harmed you. But first, the police will need to identify and find the driver. So if you haven’t done so already, call the police to report the crime. 

Tell the police everything you can about the incident and the driver. If you can remember, tell them the make, model, and color of the vehicle, the license plate number, and the direction in which the driver fled. Also, describe the driver themselves if you had a chance to see them. And if you recall any details about bystanders, also describe them. Share everything you can remember; even small and seemingly irrelevant details may help the police catch the perpetrator. 

Look for Cameras and Eyewitnesses at the Scene

Either you or someone you know can visit the scene of the accident to search for potential witnesses and evidence. Your attorney can also do this on your behalf or hire a special investigator to do so. At the accident scene, visit nearby stores and businesses to ask if anyone saw what happened. It’s possible that a local will have witnessed the accident or captured it on their phone; on occasion, someone might even know the driver who hit you. 

These days, traffic cameras are common at intersections and many other places along the roads. Likewise, security surveillance cameras are common on building exteriors, many vehicles have cameras on their dashboards, and homes and businesses often use video doorbells. Carefully look for cameras that might have recorded the accident. Either the police or your attorney can then attempt to gain access to any footage that was captured. 

Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer in San Antonio

Along with helping you collect evidence to identify the driver, an experienced car accident attorney can guide you through your legal options following a hit-and-run accident. Once the culprit is found, your attorney can then get to work building a case against them. 

The sooner you hire an attorney, the sooner they can file an insurance claim or lawsuit, gather evidence to prove the value of your damages and negotiate with the defendant and their insurance company on your behalf. Learn more here about how an experienced Texan auto accident lawyer can help you recover fair compensation for your losses. 

Follow Your Doctor’s Orders to the Letter 

When you’re later pursuing damages from the driver’s insurance provider, the insurer may try to diminish the value of your claim by disputing the severity of your injuries. If you neglect to seek immediate medical attention or follow your doctor’s orders after the accident, you’re providing the insurer with ammunition to dispute your claim. So attend all follow-up appointments and do all that your doctor recommends.

Document Everything in a Journal

In the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident, it’s a good idea to keep a detailed journal of everything you experience. In your journal, document all expenses related to the accident. Also, take note of all the negative results you’re going through, including any decline in your psychological state such as anxiety or depression. This journal will later help your attorney evaluate your damages and prove the validity and value of your claim. 

What To Do if the Driver Can’t Be Found

Unfortunately, following a hit-and-run accident, the driver sometimes cannot be identified. In this frustrating scenario, you won’t have the opportunity to recover damages from the driver or their insurance company. You may still be able to recover compensation for your medical bills and lost wages from the no-fault Personal Injury Protection coverage in your own insurance policy. 

You may also be able to recover additional compensation, including pain and suffering compensation, from your uninsured motorist coverage. Because the driver fled the scene and was never identified, it isn’t known whether or not they have insurance, and they’re often therefore considered to be uninsured. Your attorney can review your coverage and help you effectively file your uninsured motorist coverage claim.  

Contact the Crime Victims’ Compensation Program 

If you were injured in San Antonio, you may also be able to obtain assistance with your medical bills and other accident-related costs from the state’s Crime Victims’ Compensation (CVC) Program. In addition to financial aid, the CVC provides crime victims in Texas with counseling and general advice on how to deal with their predicament. 

Following a hit-and-run, the steps laid out in this article will help you defend your rights and bring the driver to justice. With the legal guidance of an experienced car accident attorney, you may be able to recover financially from your losses and resume your life as it was before the accident occurred.