Iowa law requires that anyone involved in a collision immediately stop their vehicle. Unfortunately, hundreds of people across the state hit the gas pedal and flee down the road, which is not only a crime but completely immoral. At Ball, Kirk & Holm, P.C., we have received calls from dozens of people badly hurt in hit and run accidents. They have no idea what to do. They would file an insurance claim but they don’t know the identity of the person who hit them. Bills continue to arrive daily, and they are pressed to the financial limit.
We might be able to help. From our offices in Waterloo and Iowa City, we can assist anyone hurt by a hit and run motorist. Below, we highlight 5 steps to take after a collision, and encourage you to reach out to a Des Moines car accident lawyer for a personalized consultation.
1. Memorize As much As You Can About the Vehicle
You might only see the car for a split second out of the corner of your eye. However, it’s vital to hang onto any detail you can remember. Anything at all can help the police identify the driver who struck you:
- Car color;
- Make and model (e.g., Toyota Camry);
- Any letters or numbers on the license plate (even one or two letters);
- Any description of the driver (male or female, hair color, wearing glasses, and so on).
Also pay attention to where the driver fled. You can tell the police, “They went East after hitting me.” The fleeing motorist might be headed to work in the morning or home after their shift, so this information can winnow down the number of people who caused the accident.
2. Document the Accident Scene
You should take photographs of the car and the debris field. Pictures help preserve the state of your vehicle after the crash. You can use your cellphone to take photographs.
Also speak to witnesses. People standing around or other motorists on the road might have seen more information about the driver. They can speak to the police, which should aid in the investigation. Ask each person you speak with for their name and a method of contract (like a phone number or email address).
If your vehicle was hit outside a business, you can go inside and ask if they have a security camera pointed toward the sidewalk. It might have recorded the accident and caught the license plate number or some other identifying detail (like a bumper sticker). The police can review the video and use the information as part of their investigation. If you are in too much pain, however, your lawyer can stop by and inquire.
Also, don’t immediately repair your vehicle. It could contain useful information about the car which struck you. A paint smear can reveal the color of the vehicle, if that’s a detail you didn’t catch.
3. Call the Police to Report the Accident
Use your phone to immediately report the accident to the police. Reporting the accident benefits you in several ways.
First, you can share the details mentioned above. The police might put out a bulletin asking the people to call with information about the driver’s identity. If the police find them, then you can bring a claim against the driver’s liability insurance. That’s the easiest way to obtain compensation following a hit and run.
Second, you protect the public from a dangerous driver. Fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime. Someone who commits a hit and run even once could very well do it again. Further, the person could have been drunk or high, so they are a clear risk to others.
Third, you will have a police report which can be a critical piece of information.
4. Receive Medical Attention for Any Injuries
You should do everything reasonable to improve your injuries. You might be in intense pain, or you might be able to drive yourself to the hospital. Once you finish with the officer, you can go to the hospital. Tell the attending physician where you are feeling pain. A doctor can order tests to help diagnose what is wrong.
What happens if you lack health insurance? You can pay out of pocket and then get reimbursed if you win a settlement.
5. Report the Accident to Your Insurer
You should tell them you were involved in a hit and run accident and provide the same information you gave to the police. You might also be able to use your collision insurance to get your car repaired. This is no-fault insurance which you probably have if you still are paying a car loan.
You might also have medical payments coverage, which is likewise optional. It will pay for medical care to treat any car accident injuries and can even cover a health insurance deductible. These are also no-fault benefits.
If the driver is found, then you can request compensation from the driver for:
- Your medical treatment, including prescription medication and rehab;
- Wage loss, including lost self-employment income;
- Car damage;
- Pain and suffering;
- Any other damages which flow from the accident.
With luck, the dangerous driver will be caught and you can seek monetary damages.
Call a Des Moines Car Accident Lawyer
This is probably the most critical step of all! Ball, Kirk & Holm, P.C. has helped many car accident victims obtain financial compensation for painful bodily injuries. Hit and run accidents are complicated, and Iowa law doesn’t make it easy for victims to receive a fair shake. You deserve to speak with an experienced attorney who understands all your options.
If the police catch the driver, then we can negotiate a settlement or even file a lawsuit. Our objective is to make sure the at-fault motorist shoulders the financial burden caused by the accident. It’s the least they can do.Contact our law firm to speak with a member of our team. We offer free consultations and remain available, 24/7, for our clients.