Hit and run car wrecks in Wichita Falls comes with serious consequences. If someone is involved in a car wreck in Wichita Falls and they flee the scene without providing contact information, they could be both civilly and criminally liable. However, proving these accidents is often much more difficult than typical car accident cases. With one party on the run, in order to be able to receive compensation for your injuries, you have to track down the person who caused the accident.
Understanding Wichita Falls Hit and Run Car Wreck Claims
As mentioned above, Wichita Falls hit and run car wreck claims are much more difficult than typical personal injury claims, and therefore, it’s important to know your rights and to take action quickly. If you’ve been another motorist or even a pedestrian that has been involved in a hit and run claim, there are certain steps you should take to ensure your rights are protected and optimize your chance at recovery, including:
- Call 911.
The first thing you should do is call the police and have them investigate the accident. By having the police investigate and make a report, you are getting good, reliable documentation that will help you when you begin to pursue your claim. This type of evidence will be critical for your case.
- Collect evidence.
You should collect as much evidence as possible. Take pictures of videos of your vehicle and the accident scene, talk to and collect information from witnesses, and even utilize technological resources. See if there are any surveillance cameras around to see if you can identify the make and model of the vehicle that hit you, and potentially even the license plate number.
- Get medical treatment.
Any time you are in an accident, it’s important that you seek medical treatment right away. Getting treated for your injuries immediately is critical for both your own health and also for optimizing your chances of recovery.
- Contact an experience attorney.
An experience Wichita Falls hit and run car wreck attorney can help take the burden off you and can help you recover compensation for your accident. An experienced attorney will know what evidence to obtain, how to get it, and how to deal with the insurance companies and file a lawsuit to help you recover.
Compensation for Wichita Falls Hit and Run Car Wrecks
If you are able to track down the person who caused your Wichita Falls hit and run car wreck, you should be able to recover both compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are meant to make you whole again and include things like your medical bills, your lost wages, and your pain and suffering. Punitive damages are meant to punish the other driver for especially bad behavior. Punitive damages aren’t always available in personal injury claims, but this is a situation in which they would be appropriate.
Unfortunately, if you are not able to track down the person who caused the accident, you will be forced to rely on your own insurance. You can utilize your health insurance for your medical bills and if you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, you can utilize it for your lost wages and property damage. These types of situations are precisely why we recommend everyone to have at least some UM coverage. It’s relatively inexpensive and provides you with a little extra protection out on the roads.
Contact a Wichita Falls Car Wreck Lawyer
If you or anyone you know has been injured in a car wreck in Wichita Falls, contact our Wichita Falls car wreck lawyer at 940-569-4000 or fill out our contact form to set up a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will give you a free evaluation of your case and offer you helpful information for how to proceed.