Being involved in a car accident with another driver can be scary. However, if the other driver leaves the scene, it can turn what was already an unwelcome experience into an even more challenging situation. If you should ever find yourself dealing with this particular issue in the state of Nevada, there are some steps that you should take:
Make Sure That Everybody Is Okay
Making sure that nobody has been seriously hurt should always be your number one priority in the immediate aftermath of a crash. First, take a look around you to check on your passengers. Then, take a quick look outside of the vehicle to see if any pedestrians or other parties have been injured.
It goes without saying, of course, that if someone has been severely hurt, you should call an ambulance as quickly as possible. Your swift action might just save their life.
Do Not Follow Them
Once you have confirmed that everybody is okay or being treated by a medical professional, it can be tempting to try to chase and find the other driver. However, you should not do so.
Following the driver will mean leaving the scene of the accident yourself, which can get you into trouble and potentially jeopardize any lawsuits you wish to file at a later date. If you can safely do so, get a picture of the other vehicle before it has left the scene – especially if you can get a picture of the license plate.
Take Notes and Gather Evidence
Having remained on the scene, your next step should be to begin putting together information about the accident. While the memory is still fresh, you should write down everything you can remember about the other driver and vehicle. Ideally, you should try to make note of the make, model, and color of the car as well as a brief description of the driver.
When you have finished noting down your memories, you should next begin gathering evidence of the crash. Take pictures of the scene, speak to any witnesses, and take down their contact information. You may need to reach out to the witnesses again in the future if you choose to file a personal injury suit against the other driver.
Give a Statement to the Police
By leaving the scene of the accident, the other driver almost certainly committed a crime. As such, you should take the time to give a detailed report of the incident to the police. The information you give them may help them to track down and potentially apprehend the other driver.
The statement that you provide to the police will also become an official record of the accident. Having that information on file with local law enforcement can be a huge help if you need to put together a personal injury lawsuit at a later date.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Unfortunately, if the other driver leaves the scene of an accident, you will likely be forced to pay for the damages to your vehicle through your own insurance policy – even when the other party is at fault. To get the repairs process started, you should contact your insurance company and explain what happened as soon as you can.
If the other driver is later found by the police, you may be able to file suit against them to recover the fees that you have paid to your insurance company. To better understand your options, you should speak to a Las Vegas car accident. They will be able to tell you whether or not you have a case and how much compensation you are likely to receive as a result of it.
Contact a Trusted Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney
Here at Cap and Kudler, we understand how frightening and overwhelming car accidents can be. As such, we work tirelessly to get our clients in Nevada the compensation they deserve in the aftermath of a crash. If you need our help filing suit against a hit and run driver, simply give us a call at (702) 878-8778 or contact us online to set up a consultation.
