Have you or a loved one recently been the victim of a hit and run in Waco TX? Do you need auto accident help, but are unsure of what to do since the at-fault driver got away? If so, then you need to learn about what to do after a hit and run in Austin TX.

Doing so will help you learn all about the essential steps to take to protect your case. That way, you can still get compensated for the damages and injuries you suffered.

See below for an in-depth guide on the steps you should follow after a hit-and-run auto accident.

1. Gather the Information That You Can

Any time that you’re involved in a car crash, the first thing that you want to do is gather your thoughts and locate the other driver. You should always assume that the driver might try to take off, that way you’re prepared to gather some information.

As soon as you find the other driver, try to mentally jot down as many details as you can. That includes the make and model of the car, a vague description of the driver, and the license plate number. 

If you can, try to pinpoint any unique characteristics about the car, such as markings, colors, dents, scratches, etc. 

The license plate should always be the priority. That can help increase the odds that local authorities find the culprit at some point. 

After they drive off and out of sight, pull out the Notes app on your smartphone and write down the details that you were able to gather. 

Then, turn your attention to your condition. Do you or your passengers have any car accident injuries? If everyone is in a stable condition, try to remove yourself from the car as quickly as possible and get safely to the side of the road (if you aren’t already). Don’t move your car!

2. Call the Police

Once you’re off to the side of the road, it’s time to contact local authorities. If there aren’t already police officers at the scene, be sure to call 911 as soon as you can. If anyone has pressing injuries, be sure to alert the operator so that they can dispatch an ambulance (which they might do anyway).

When the police officers arrive, they’ll focus on gathering as much evidence as they can for their police report. That includes an assessment of the scene, interviews from you and your passengers, as well as testimonies from any witnesses that saw the incident occur.

Understandably, emotions would be running high, but try to remain as calm as possible while speaking with the officers. Simply tell your side of the story. The true evidence will come out as time rolls on.

After you’ve talked with the police officers, be sure to get the name and numbers of every witness that stayed behind. Get a brief description of what they saw. Your lawyer will be able to reach out to them down the line to build your case.

3. Gather Evidence for Your Case

After you’ve complied with the police report, it’s time to shift your focus to gathering evidence. You started that by gathering contact information from witnesses, now it’s time to take some pictures.

Pull out your smartphone and take photos of things such as your car, the license plate, the scene of the crash, the witnesses, the police officer, any injuries that you suffered, and more.

You might also be prepared to take pictures of other cars that drive by. While it’s cliché, hit and run drivers will sometimes drive by the scene in a different car. 

All of the photos and information that you gather will be used in two ways. First, your lawyer can use it to build your compensation case. Second, they can be used to present to your insurance provider if they request extra proof of the crash.

4. Reach Out to Your Insurance Provider

After a hit and run, it’s vastly important to reach out to your insurance provider. You’ll need to file a claim with your insurance so that they can get things in motion.

Filing a claim for a Texas hit and run will help you understand what level of coverage that you should expect.

Unfortunately, there are situations in which your provider will refuse to cover the charges. If that’s the case, then you and your lawyer will need to consistently work to build your case and get the compensation that you’re entitled to.

5. Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

Now that you’ve gathered evidence and contacted your insurance provider, you’ll want to hire an experienced Texas car accident attorney to represent your case.

During the initial phone call, you can tell the attorney about your side of the story. As soon as they learn about your case, they’ll get right to work on building more evidence using their network and resources.

An experienced attorney can make this entire process easier. You’ll have the legal guidance you need to get your hands on compensation and cover all the expenses from the hit-and-run accident.

What to do After a Hit and Run: Hire a Lawyer

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on what to do after a hit and run, be sure to use this information to your advantage. 

Take the time to read this page to learn more about Daniel Start Injury Lawyers and why we’re the right fit for your case. Be sure to call us any time at 800-474-1233 and we will be happy to assist you further.