When you’re in a car accident in Kentucky, both parties are supposed to stop and exchange information. Then you can proceed to inform your insurance companies and move on from there. But sometimes, one of the parties involved in a car wreck flees the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident automatically makes the accident a hit-and-run, and has serious consequences.
Hit-and-runs are distressing experiences because it combines a car crash and uncertainty of what to do next because the other party drove away. Your first step is calling the police. But you may start to worry about how you’re going to prove the hit-and-run to your insurance provider. In cases like this, you should contact the experienced legal team at Thomas Law Offices. We understand that you’re worried about the future and will do everything we can to get you compensation.
After you call the police, they will open an investigation as they try and determine who fled the scene.
Step 1 of a Hit-and-Run Investigation: Gathering Evidence
The police investigating the hit-and-run will start out with the following steps to see if It leads them to the guilty person. When you speak with police, tell them the facts that you know and always tell the truth. Don’t lie, guess, or try to fill in information. It’s okay to say you don’t know something. If you lie and try to guess details, the police will have an inaccurate account, and it’s possible that you could lose compensation for lying about the accident.
- Check Environment. The police will check the area of the hit-and-run for any signs or clues that will help them in the investigation. Trees, telephone poles, and other objects might have also been hit in the accident.
- They will probably take photographs of the site. They’ll look at multiple angles of the car and the environment.
- Take Notes. They’ll keep a record of additional details they notice or facts you provide about the accident. Make sure to not apologize for anything, because it shows fault.
- Get Witness Information. They police will talk with anyone who witnessed the accident who is willing to provide information. These third party witnesses help your claim. They’ll get names, contact information, and their account of the accident. During their interviews, the police will probably talk to witnesses one-on-one and record the conversation. These interviews may take some time because the witness could be shocked about the accident, and the police are trained to not interrupt or guess what the person is trying to say.
As the police investigate the case, you should inform your insurance provider of the crash. However, if insurance adjusters start calling you and asking you questions, you don’t have to answer. You’re allowed to say the investigation is ongoing and you won’t discuss the matter further.
What if the Police Don’t Find the Guilty Party?
Hit-and-run cases are difficult to investigate. Once the person drives away, your best bet to catching them is memorizing a license plate and the make and model of the car. But hit-and-runs are sudden and shocking, and it’s easy to not catch a glimpse of the car. It’s possible that the police might not find the person responsible. But this doesn’t mean that you’re now accountable for paying off everything from the accident.
Dealing with insurance companies can be more challenging when you don’t have the other party, but with a skilled Louisville auto accident lawyer, you’re taking the right steps to getting compensation for your car accident injuries.
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