The number of hit and run accidents in North Carolina have been rising over the past decade. In 2016, there were approximately 15,000 hit and run accidents in the state. The aftermath of any traffic accident can be incredibly overwhelming. When the at-fault driver flees the scene of an accident, you may be worried that you won't be able to get the monetary damages you need to recover from the crash. Here are the things you need to do if you want to maximize the compensation you recover after a hit and run accident in North Carolina.
Write Down Details You Remember
Police will immediately begin to search for the hit and run driver that caused your accident. The more details you can provide about the driver and car, the better they will be able to do their job. When you are involved in a crash try to remember as much as you can about the other car. The make, model, and color of the car, description of the driver, and license plate information can help point police in the right direction. The sooner the hit and run driver is found, the sooner you can recover the compensation you deserve.
Call the Police Immediately
Call the police and report the hit and run accident as soon as you can. When police arrive on the scene they can begin to investigate the accident and search for the hit and run driver. Important evidence and details about your accident can begin to disappear shortly after the crash. Reporting the accident immediately will help to preserve valuable information that can help to ensure you are properly compensated for the damage you have sustained.
Get Checked Out By a Doctor
Car accidents are the leading cause of unexpected deaths and injuries in the United States. When you are involved in a car accident, it is incredibly important to seek medical attention as soon as you can, even if you don't think that you've really been hurt that badly. Car accidents often cause victims to suffer internal injuries. If these injuries are not diagnosed and treated right away, they can become life-threatening in the future. Getting a medical evaluation right after your accident helps in two ways: (1) it ensures your safety; and (2) it provides an official record of your injuries. This documentation will help to establish that the hit and run accident was the cause of your injuries.
Call an Attorney
As a hit and run accident victim, you have the right to seek monetary compensation from the at-fault driver. Since the driver has fled the scene of the accident, the process of recovering compensation can become more complicated than usual. The best thing you can do in this situation is to speak with an experienced North Carolina hit and run attorney. Getting an attorney involved early on in the process can help to preserve valuable evidence and increase the strength of any future claim you decide to file.
When you retain the personal injury attorneys at Caulder & Valentine to handle your case, we will help make sure that you are properly compensated for your injuries. We will thoroughly investigate your accident, gather information and evidence to support your claim, and fight to hold the hit and run driver responsible for their actions. Call our office today to schedule a consultation.
