I Was Injured in a Hit and Run. Am I Out of Luck?
Being injured in a motor vehicle accident is a distressing event for anyone. It is only made more stressful when the at-fault driver leaves the scene before providing their insurance information. In some unfortunate situations, the at-fault driver will not even stop after a collision and the injured party will not even know the colour or model of car that hit them. Many people believe that if they can’t identify the other driver, then there is nothing they can do. Fortunately, there are options for victims of hit and run accidents. Here is what you need to know following a hit and run accident:
Report the Accident to the Police
Your local police force will know how to investigate and document a hit and run accident. The police report will be important in support of an insurance claim or lawsuit. Call the police as soon as you are able to following a collision and provide them with whatever information you can.
Take Pictures and Identify Witnesses
Once it is safe to do so, take as many pictures of the scene of the accident, the damage to your vehicle and your injuries as possible. If there were any witnesses to the accident, it will be important to secure their contact information so they can provide statements to police or provide evidence in support of your case. It may also be worth speaking with any businesses or property owners around the scene of the accident to see if there is any video footage of the accident that could help with the investigation.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Regardless of whether you were driving, walking, cycling or using some other form of transportation at the time of the accident, there will be insurance to cover your immediate medical needs and possibly any lost wages. If you have your own policy of auto insurance or are covered under someone else’s, notify that insurance company immediately and complete an application for statutory accident benefits. If you were not covered by any form of auto insurance at the time of the accident, an application for statutory accident benefits can go to the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund, a government fund that serves as an insurance company when there is no insurance to claim against. An experienced Ontario personal injury lawyer can assist you with this process.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
An experienced personal injury lawyer can advise you on whether pursuing a lawsuit is in your best interests. Even if the at-fault driver is never identified, some auto insurance policies contain a provision that allows you to claim damages against your own insurance company in such a scenario. If you do not have insurance and have not been able to identify the at-fault driver, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund.
Conclusion
Injuries sustained in a hit and run accident can have major impacts on your life. Being unable to identify the at-fault party does not need to prevent you from receiving the compensation you are entitled to. If you have been the victim of a hit and run, Beckett may be able to help.
