Steps to take after hit-and-run accidents in Indiana

If you’ve been hit by a driver who fled the scene, you should report the crash to the police and provide any identifying details about the hit-and-run driver and their vehicle (license plate number, make, model, color, etc.), make notes about what you can remember, and seek medical attention. Next, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Doing so can help you pursue the compensation and justice you deserve.

What Are the Steps I Should Take Following a Hit-and-Run Accident in Indiana?

In the days and weeks after a hit-and-run accident, taking the following steps can help you protect yourself and your rights:

• Collect accident details – Write down everything you can remember about the accident, the fleeing driver and their vehicle, and anyone who may have seen the crash. If you obtain any police reports, keep copies.
• Contact your insurance company – Notify your insurance provider about the accident as soon as possible. Failure to do so could jeopardize essential coverage. Inquire about making a claim through your collision, medical payments, or uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.
• Document your injuries – Keep records detailing your injuries, treatment, and recovery process. This includes medical reports, medical bills, prescription receipts, therapy invoices, and notes about how the injuries impact your daily functioning.
• Calculate lost wages – Make a record of any income you lose from missing work during treatment or recovery. Ask your employer for documentation of your wages and missed hours.
• Photograph property damage – Take clear photos of any damage to your vehicle or other personal property. Get estimates for repairs.
• Hire an attorney – Our experienced hit-and-run accident lawyers can conduct a full investigation into the crash, deal with insurers for you, determine all available compensation, and file a lawsuit if necessary.

What Damages Can I Recover If I Have Been in an Indiana Hit-and-Run Accident?

The compensation you can recover after hit-and-run collisions depends on the particular circumstances at play. If the police can locate the at-fault driver, you can file an insurance claim or lawsuit against them seeking money for:

• Medical care expenses
• Lost income from missed time at work
• Reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job
• Physical and psychological pain and suffering
• Property damage

Working with the experienced Indiana hit-and-run accident attorneys at Truitt Law Offices can help you pursue the total amount you deserve.

What Happens If the Other Driver Cannot Be Found?

Do not give up hope of recovering compensation if the police cannot locate the hit-and-run driver. Several forms of insurance could cover your accident-related expenses, including:

• Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage – UM coverage is a policy that pays for accident-related losses if an at-fault driver does not have liability insurance or flees the scene and cannot be found. While this coverage is optional in Indiana, you likely have it unless you rejected it in writing.
• MedPay – If you have an optional Medical Payments policy, you can use it to pay for medical care expenses such as ambulance rides, emergency room visits, doctor’s appointments, scans, and hospital stays. This first-party insurance is available immediately after an accident, even if it was a hit-and-run.
• Collision insurance – This is another optional first-party policy that can pay for damage to your vehicle, regardless of who is at fault. As such, it can cover your vehicle damage after a hit-and-run crash.

Our Indiana car accident attorneys are ready to help you seek the maximum possible compensation from all potential sources of insurance coverage. Even though you might be dealing with “your” insurance company, don’t count on them to have your best interests at heart. You need our attorneys to stand up to the insurance companies and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

What Reasons Would Make a Person Flee the Scene of the Accident?

Although none of them are legitimate, several possible motivations may lead a driver to flee after an accident, including:

• Fear of criminal charges – If the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, was speeding excessively, or had a suspended license, they may flee to avoid DUI or reckless driving charges.
• Warrants or probation violations – Persons with outstanding arrest warrants or on probation or parole might leave the scene to prevent law enforcement from identifying them.
• Lack of insurance – Uninsured drivers might run away to prevent their identities from being connected to the crash. Without insurance, they could be held personally liable for the damage they cause.
• Undocumented immigrant status – Drivers without legal immigration status may try escaping the scene to avoid interactions with law enforcement.
• Simple panic – The stress of an accident can cause some drivers to irrationally flee in a moment of panic without considering potential criminal or ethical consequences.
• Underage drivers – Teenagers who have taken their parents’ cars without permission or are driving without a license may impulsively flee an accident scene.
• Callousness – In some cases, exceptionally cold-hearted individuals leave the scene due to sheer indifference about the injuries they’ve caused.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Indiana?

In general, Indiana imposes a two-year deadline for filing a car accident lawsuit. However, if you must seek compensation for the accident through your UM insurance coverage, your deadline will be set in the terms of your policy. Alert your provider as soon as possible to avoid jeopardizing your coverage, and contact our experienced personal injury lawyers. We can push back against your insurer if they try to deny coverage or reduce your payout.

Contact an Indiana Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer

Being hurt in a car accident is hard enough as it is without the at-fault driver running away from their responsibility. However, it is vital that you take the proper steps as soon as you can to optimize your chances of getting the justice you deserve in a personal injury claim. An Indiana hit-and-run lawyer with Truitt Law Offices can offer you the support and legal guidance you need at this challenging time.

The experienced attorneys at our law firm understand what you are going through, and we want to empower you to pursue the compensation you deserve. Our experienced team will handle every aspect of your case, keeping you updated at every step while giving you the space and freedom to concentrate on healing.

Contact our offices today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options after a hit-and-run crash in Indiana.

Visit Our Indiana Hit-and-Run Accident Law Offices