There are a lot of dishonest, cowardly, and downright oblivious drivers on the road. Any one of these characteristics, or a combination of them, can cause a driver to drive away after hitting another vehicle instead of stopping and exchanging insurance information with the other car’s owner. This type of collision is known as a hit and run.
In most states, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin included, an individual injured in a hit and run can seek compensation for his or her related damages through an uninsured motorist claim. This option exists to ensure that a car accident victim can recover the compensation he or she needs when a personal injury claim is not an option. When you file an uninsured motorist claim, you must demonstrate that another party’s negligence caused your accident and related damages. Providing sufficient information about the collision, including the information below, will improve your chance of recovering compensation for your damages.
The Best Description of the Car You can Provide
It can be difficult to catch the details about a car as it speeds off after hitting yours, but do the best you can. Try to take note of its make, model, and license plate number. If you cannot get all of these, get all the information you can. Even taking note of the vehicle’s color, type, and the direction it was heading is better than having no information at all.
If there were witnesses to the scene, ask them if they caught any details about the vehicle. A witness might be able to provide details you are unable to catch yourself.
Every Possible Detail About the Scene of the Accident
Details about the scene of the accident are important, too. Jot down:
- The specific location of the collision, from the closest cross street to the exact spot where it occurred;
- The time of day the accident occurred;
- Any relevant details about the scene, like whether the collision occurred in traffic.
Eyewitnesses can help you with these details, too. Additionally, take a copious amount of photographs of your vehicle and the surrounding scene to better illustrate the damage that resulted from the collision.
Information from the Official Police Report
When you fill out a police report after a hit and run, the report includes many important details about the incident like its exact location, the time of day it occurred, and even the weather at the time of the collision. All of these details are important to your claim. Additionally, the police report itself is an important piece of evidence to support your hit and run claim.
Work with an Experienced La Crosse Car Accident Lawyer
Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer will also improve your chance of recovering the compensation you need to cover your accident-related damages. To get started with a member of our team, contact Moen Sheehan Meyer, Ltd. today to set up your initial consultation in our office.