Steps to Take After Being Injured in a Hit-And-Run

On January 20^th, 61-year-old Deborah Peko-Lillis was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on Hoboken Road in Carlstadt, New Jersey. The driver, Justinian Cuevasmetemi, fled the scene. He was then arrested and charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a motor vehicle resulting in death, and third-degree endangering an injured victim.

A hit-and-run is a collision in which the driver at fault doesn’t stop to exchange information or offer medical aid to the other person involved in the accident. The victim of a hit-and-run could be another driver or a pedestrian.

Hit-and-runs are illegal and risk further endangering the victim’s life. If the other driver flees and doesn’t call for help, the victim might receive delayed medical attention. In a possible life-or-death situation, every moment counts, and the delay might worsen the victim’s condition. Sadly, hit-and-run crashes are very common: more than one occurs every minute, so it’s important that you know what to do if you or a loved one are injured in one. Below are some of the steps you should take:

1. Call the Police

Police will investigate the hit-and-run, provide legal documentation of the incident if you pursue an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, and will be able to remind you of other steps you should take.

2. Speak to Witnesses

It’s important to speak to witnesses because they might have been able to see or hear something that you couldn’t. They may also be able to give you a description of the vehicle and its driver, as well as their understanding of how the accident happened.

3. Take Photos of Everything

Take photos of the accident scene, damage is done to your car, your personal injuries, and if possible, photos of the fleeing vehicle and driver. Photos can serve as important evidence for an insurance or legal claim.

4. Document Everything That You Know about the Accident

Make sure to write down all of the following information:

• The approximate time and location of the accident
• A description of the other vehicle, including the make, model, and color
• A description of the other vehicle’s driver
• The vehicle’s license plate
• The names and badge numbers of the responding officers
• The contact information of the witnesses

5. Seek Medical Attention

Even if you don’t immediately sense any injuries, or the injuries seem minor, you should still seek medical attention. Receiving treatment promptly after the accident is important for an insurance or legal claim because it helps support the fact that you were injured in the accident.

6. Report the Incident to Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company to file a claim with them. Keep in mind that many insurance companies require the claimant to have filed a police report for the hit-and-run within twenty-four hours of the collision.

If you can find the at-fault driver, you will be able to file an insurance claim and/or a civil lawsuit against them. In New Jersey and New York, you are required to have some uninsured motorist coverage, which will protect you if you’re unable to locate the at-fault driver.

Because hit-and-runs occur so often, it’s important for you to be prepared and to know what steps you should take in the event that you are injured in one. The New Jersey law firm of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. has an extensive team of attorneys with decades of experience in car accidents. The firm offers free and confidential case evaluations and are available 24/7. Contact them today by calling 201-444-4444.