Illinois law clearly states that any motorist involved in a crash must stop their car immediately. This law is designed to ensure that injured motorists receive help getting to the hospital after an accident. Unfortunately, thousands of people in Illinois flee the scene of a collision. Even worse, they completely ignore injured victims, who are left to fend for themselves. Call Michael J. Lichner today to speak with our Joliet car accident lawyer. You might receive compensation after a hit and run, but you will benefit from our legal advice. Below, we identify what to do for a hit and run. Contact us for more detailed information about your case.
1. Call an Ambulance for Those Who Need One
The first step is to ask anyone involved in the accident if they need an ambulance. Some people might be suffering only minor injuries, while others can’t yet feel pain due to adrenaline. And some victims are immediately paralyzed or feel agonizing pain.
Call an ambulance if anyone needs immediate treatment. If you are too injured to call, then you can ask someone else to make the call for you.
2. Note Details about the Car that Hit You
It’s possible to track down the motorist who hit you. The police will want as many details as you can share about the vehicle or the driver:
- Vehicle make and model
- Color of the car
- Any distinguishing features, like bumper stickers or dents
- As much of the license plate as you remember
- Details about the driver (age, gender, hair color, race, glasses, and so on)
You might not have seen the driver, which is understandable. But share what you can with the cops.
3. Report the Accident to the Police
After a hit and run in Illinois, you should contact the police. When an officer arrives at the scene, you can share details about the fleeing vehicle and driver.
Calling the police is necessary to secure your ability to receive compensation. If the driver is never found, then you might make a claim on your uninsured motorist coverage. This insurance is still fault-based, and you cannot make a claim if you are mostly to blame. You can expect your UM insurer to look skeptically at a claim if you never contact the police, so call as soon as you can.
4. Document the Accident Scene
If you are physically able, you should collect evidence at the scene of the crash. For example, you can take photographs of your vehicle. Zoom in on the dents, but also photograph the debris field. And get some long-distance shots which show where your car ended up in relation to the road.
If there were witnesses, you could talk to them and ask what they observed. Also, ask for their name and contact information, including phone number or email. Your hit-and-run Illinois lawyer can speak to them to get a better handle on what happened. These witnesses should also talk to the police.
5. Obtain Medical Treatment
You can go to the hospital when you are done with the police at the accident scene. At the hospital, inform the doctor that you were hurt in a collision, and then point out where you feel pain. You should receive medical treatment and remember to keep copies of all bills.
6. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Promptly call, preferably the same day. Give them the police report number and share basic details about the crash, including the day, time, and location.
Avoid giving any type of extended narrative description of what happened, and don’t answer questions. You might end up saying something that is not 100% true, which also undercuts your legal claim. Stick to basic facts, at least for now.
7. Discuss Legal Options with a Joliet Car Accident Lawyer
A lawyer can help you understand all options for receiving compensation. Many different insurance policies could come into play, and you want to make claims in such a way that you maximize what you receive:
- UM insurance. This insurance will cover a hit-and-run, provided you are not at fault.
- Collision coverage. This insurance will pay to have your car fixed, regardless of fault.
- Medical payments insurance (“med pay”). Most drivers carry a few thousand in med pay benefits. You can use this money for medical care to treat your accident injuries. You might even use it to cover your health insurance deductible.
You might even make a claim on the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program. This fund will pay compensation for those injured by criminal activity, including hit-and-run accidents. You might receive up to $45,000 for medical bills and other expenses flowing from the accident.
If the police find the driver, then you can bring a claim against that person. They might have liability coverage, which should cover any claim where the driver is at fault.
8. Continue with Medical Treatment Until You Reach Maximum Improvement
Hit-and-run accident victims should do everything within their power to heal. They should avail themselves of the offered physical therapy and other rehabilitation to deal with life-changing injuries.
Keep detailed copies of all medical bills and records. You can also receive compensation for missing income or wages. Your attorney will want to see a W-2 form or proof of self-employment income.
Call a Will County Car Accident Lawyer To Discuss Your Accident
After a hit and run, your entire world might be spinning. You need a seasoned lawyer to step in and set things right. Call Michael J. Lichner today to discuss your hit-and-run collision. Our law firm can discuss what to do for a hit and run, including what documents to keep and share with your attorney. We can review all relevant insurance policies and track down evidence to help find the at-fault driver. Our firm is only a phone call away, and anyone in the 60431 zip code can schedule a free consultation. Contact us today!