Hit and run accidents can be the most frustrating to deal with, simply because of the unfortunate consequences and problematic results. If someone crashes into your vehicle, you’re counting on them to do the right thing: leave a note, find you or provide you with the insurance information necessary in allowing you to recover your damages. However, in New York City, where cars park extremely close together on city streets or cannot hear one car hit another in a traffic jam, its often hard to hold the other person accountable.
Should the person responsible for the damage flee the scene, it can leave you stuck with massive repair bills and no way to pay them, since you have no idea who it was that caused the damage. Dealing with a hit and run is tough, but there are some things you can do in the immediate aftermath that may make the process less frustrating.
First, gather as much information at the scene as possible. Do not move your car. Take pictures of the car as it is, in the spot it was damaged, and call the police to come give an accident report. Talk with anyone who witnessed the hit and run and see if someone caught the plate number. If the police are alerted quickly enough they may catch the offender nearby, if you or a witness can give them any information. Work with the police to complete an accident report. Get written statements from witnesses that include names and pertinent contact information. This will all be useful when filing an insurance claim or going to court.
After all of the above has been completed at the scene of the accident, be sure to contact your insurance company and thoroughly explain the incident to them. If you’ve been injured, go and see a doctor or go to the emergency room as soon as possible. The more information and documentation you have, the better things will go for you should the offending driver be located. Still, if the offender cannot be found, these things will help in your case to get the money for the damages and injuries that you deserve. A personal injury lawyer at the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny can guide you to getting the results that you desire.
The attorneys at the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny have over a century of combined experience and achieved over $250 million in verdicts and settlements to prove their success rate. Our attorneys are very familiar with the roadways and laws in and around New York City and have been tackling car accident cases since they began their careers. This is their expertise and they are here to help you get the results you deserve. Call our office today to speak to an attorney about your next steps after a car accident.
