What are the Do’s and Don’ts After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

Car accidents are terrifying enough. Imagine being left alone on the side of the road after a devastating collision only to realize the reckless driver fled the scene. This is a criminal offense in South Carolina, especially if you suffered from serious injuries. Don’t take on the investigation alone. Do contact the qualified Conway hit-and-run accident lawyers at the Law Offices of L. Morgan Martin, P.A., to discuss your right to compensation. Schedule a free personal injury case evaluation as soon as possible by calling (843) 248-3177 or connecting with us online.

Steps to Take if a Motorist Flees the Scene in South Carolina

Do contact the police after a Conway hit-and-run accident. Do not pursue the driver or attempt to investigate the accident on your own. Even if you return home without calling law enforcement, an attorney can help you contact your local police department to trigger an investigation. Police reports are often necessary to verify the accident occurred and that the liable driver fled. Law enforcement officers might also obtain critical camera footage of the fleeing vehicle, locate witnesses, photograph tire tracks, and collect evidence of vehicle damage. A police report can help your attorney file a claim for damages under your uninsured (UM) motorist policy, which might compensate you for your initial medical expenses and lost wages.

Don’t panic if you leave the scene, especially if you drive to the hospital, but do contact an attorney. You can still file an accident report with the Department of Motor Vehicles, but it’s important to speak with a lawyer before doing so. You do not want police accusing you of fleeing the scene of the accident as well. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Conway might help you file the proper paperwork to report the accident, trigger an investigation, and obtain insurance compensation.

Recovering Financial Reimbursement After an Uninsured or Unknown Motorist Accident

Claimants should file an insurance claim with their personal uninsured motorist policies following hit-and-run crashes. UM coverage might compensate you for the following:

• Past and future lost wages
• Ambulance and hospital bills
• Doctors’ visits
• Household help
• Medical Transportation
• Pain and suffering

Although South Carolina law requires vehicle owners to purchase uninsured motorist insurance for hit-and-run accidents, most claimants only carry state minimum coverage. Serious hit-and-run accidents could result in life-long medical expenses beyond policy limits, which is why it’s critical to locate the liable driver. The sooner you contact an attorney, the quicker your lawyer’s dedicated investigators can preserve essential evidence of the crime. This often includes requesting local businesses not delete potential video footage and following up with state investigators to prioritize your case.

Contact an Experienced Conway Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer

A criminal driver may have left you alone, but the compassionate hit-and-run accident attorneys at the Law Offices of L. Morgan Martin, P.A. won’t. We know how overwhelming it can seem when a driver flees the scene of a Conway car accident, but we are here to hold reckless drivers accountable for their actions. Call us at (843) 248-3177 or contact us online as soon as possible to schedule a free case consultation.