I was the victim of a hit and run accident in Baton Rouge. What should I do?
If you are involved in a hit and run accident, the single most important piece of information to obtain is the license plate number for the other vehicle.
However, this should only be done if it can be accomplished safely without putting yourself at further risk of harm.
Obtain a License Plate Number
Obtaining the license plate number for the hit and run vehicle will greatly help your attorney to locate the owners of the vehicle and any insurance policies that may provide coverage on the vehicle. If the license plate number cannot be obtained, any other descriptive information, such as make, model and color may also help to locate and identify the hit and run vehicle.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Retrieve Video Surveillance Tapes
Depending on where the accident occurs, there may be businesses nearby which may have video surveillance which could help identify a hit and run driver. However, the video may only be stored for a short period of time, perhaps only for a few days, before it is overwritten or destroyed.
For this reason, it is important you contact a Baton Rouge attorney and tell them about the accident location as soon after the accident as possible so he or she can take the appropriate steps to preserve and obtain this evidence.
Make Sure You Have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Finally, the best way to protect yourself against a hit and run driver is to take precautions before-hand by making sure your car insurance policy contains Uninsured/Underinsured (UM) coverage. UM coverage protects you (and others in your vehicle) if you are hit by a driver who has insufficient insurance to pay for all the damages he or she caused, has no insurance at all, or cannot be located (such as in the case of an unidentified hit and run driver).
Unfortunately, since hit and run accidents are all too common, and in the heat of the moment it is not always possible to take down a license plate number, maintaining UM coverage on your vehicle is the best way to keep yourself protected. While hit and run accidents cannot always be avoided, with uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance you will at least be covered in such a situation.
If you have been injured in a hit and run accident, call an attorney at Morris Bart immediately.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
