Being involved in an automobile collision is hard enough in and of itself. The wreck, and its fallout, are made even worse when a driver does not stop after getting into an accident with you. South Carolina law requires you to stay at the scene. If the other driver flees the scene, there are steps that you can take following a hit-and-run accident.
Steps to Take after a Hit-and-Run in Greenville, SC
- Seek Medical Attention: It is important that you seek immediate medical attention after being in an accident if necessary. If you do not require immediate attention, it is important that you still follow up with your doctor as soon as possible to check for any unidentified injuries.
- Call 9-1-1: Even if the other car does not stay at the scene of the accident, you still need to file a police report for the accident. An officer will be dispatched to the scene and will gather information so that a police report can be filed.
- Write Down Any Remembered Information: After an accident it is important to exchange information with the other parties involved. In a hit and run accident, this is not an option. Therefore, it is up to you to remember any details about the other vehicle involved and write them down. These details could be used to find the fleeing party. Try to remember the license plate, the make and model of the vehicle, the color of the vehicle, or even a description of the driver. All of this information can be used to hopefully identify the other driver.
- Find Witnesses: If other people witnessed the hit and run, it is very important that you write down their contact information. If they are able to remain at the scene, they too can speak to police officers about what they saw. Witnesses are important to help find the other driver and also to prove that the accident occurred. Witnesses could also potentially attest to injuries you might have sustained.
- Document Information: The police will make a report, but it is important that you also record any useful information. Take photographs of the scene, the damages, and any circumstances that might have added to the accident. Dangerous road conditions, broken stop lights, or hidden traffic signs can all be used in assessing damages and assigning fault after a car wreck.
- Tell Your Insurance Company: South Carolina is an “at fault” state. An individual is able to bring a tort action for against the responsible party for their injury or damages. In a hit-and-run accident, you do not have the information of the other party, but it is still important to inform your insurance company of the accident. You may have coverage under your policy for hit and run accidents.
Call a Greenville, SC Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been in a hit and run accident, the law office of Double Aught Injury Lawyers. is here to help you. The attorneys at Double Aught Injury Lawyers have years of experience dealing with the fallout of a car accident. We can help you talk to your insurance company, file claims, or file any lawsuits resulting from the accident. Just because a driver has left the scene of the accident, you are not automatically out of recovery options. Contact us today for a FREE case review to find out what remedies might be available to you.