Taking Care of Yourself after a Hit and Run Accident

At the end of January, a 5-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle off Webberville Road near Oak Springs Elementary. He was thrown five feet into the air and landed hard, suffering a severe traumatic brain injury as well as scarring injuries on his head and face. The boy was walking with his brothers on their normal route. As they helped him out of the road, the driver of the vehicle sped away. Police are investigating security footage and using witness statements in an attempt to find the driver.

What Do I Do If I Am Hit by a Car and Don’t Know Who Did It?

A hit and run accident can be very confusing. It can happen very quickly, so quickly that the victim does not have the time or the capability to identify the vehicle that hit him or her. Without a license plate or even the color of the vehicle, it can be difficult to track that person down. Here’s a quick list of what to do after a hit and run, as well as who your best allies will be as you seek recovery.

1. Don’t try to chase down the culprit. This can make the situation much worse. You might get into another accident while chasing the perp (and this one could be your fault), not to mention that if you do catch them, you do not know what they are capable of.
2. Call the police immediately. Even if you weren’t able to get a license plate or a description of the vehicle, without a police report, your insurance company will likely take their sweet time processing your claim.
3. Seek medical attention! Not all car accident injuries are apparent right away, especially traumatic brain injury.
4. If you are able, gather evidence. Take pictures of the damage and get the contact information of any nearby witnesses. If you are injured and cannot, a witness may be able to help you do this. If not, the police certainly will.
5. Contact a personal injury attorney.

The time after a hit-and-run accident can be difficult, especially because of the unanswered questions. Don’t be afraid to seek allies in your pursuit of justice.