In addition to the injuries they produce, car accidents can cause a lot of financial distress to everyone involved. Economic damages, including medical costs, can soar if the accident is severe enough. In most situations, you will work with your personal injury lawyer to negotiate with the defendant and potentially agree to a compensation settlement. But this is not always the case. You might experience what is known as a hit-and-run accident. A hit-and-run occurs when one driver (typically the one who is at fault) leaves the accident scene immediately. When this occurs, the other parties cannot exchange information for insurance and legal purposes. What should you do in this situation?

What to Do in a Hit-and-Run Accident

After being hit by a vehicle, it is important to immediately call for medical care. Many times, because of the shock of being in the accident, your injuries may not be immediately apparent to you. Wounds like head trauma and internal bleeding might not be obvious until much later.

It is also important to call the police, especially after a hit-and-run accident where the other driver escapes. The police can help anyone who is injured and potentially track down the person who fled.

Paying for Medical Costs in a Hit-and-Run

The at-fault driver that fled the accident is responsible of paying all medical costs of the driver that they hit. In most cases, your insurance company will pay for them while the other driver is still at-large. If that driver is found by police, their insurance will cover all medical costs and reimburse anything that your own insurance paid out.

But in the event that the at-fault driver has not been discovered, you can still receive compensation for the medical bills you incur, thanks to the uninsured or underinsured motorist provision of your insurance policy. This provision gives you the right to pursue compensation for your injuries from your own insurance company. If your insurer refuses to pay even under this provision, you have the option to file for bad faith insurance against them.

Contact an Attorney for Medical Compensation After a Hit-and-Run

A car crash is likely going to cause numerous damages, including medical costs, property damage, and psychological harm that affects your quality of life. You should not lose out on that compensation just because a negligent driver left the scene. The experienced attorneys at McCready Law could work with you so that you can receive the compensation you deserve, whether or not the other person is identified. Contact us today for more information.