What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Lexington, KY

Nobody wants to get into a traffic collision. However, one of the worst things that can happen on the roadway is a hit-and-run crash. These incidents can be devastating and leave injured victims wondering what to do in the aftermath. Hit-and-run collisions can become complicated. In some cases, the police are able to locate the negligent driver. However, there are times when that never happens.

• Will your insurance cover the damages and injury expenses?
• What if the injuries are serious?
• Should you contact an attorney?

All too often, hit-and-run victims are left wondering what their options are with no help from their insurance providers.

Lexington Hit-and-Run Incidents Are Common

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says that hit-and-run collisions are “those in which at least one person involved in a crash flees the scene before offering any (or sufficient) information or aid to the other involved person(s) or fails to properly report the crash.”

During the latest reporting year in the US, there were over 737,000 total hit-and-run collisions. Out of those, more than 2,000 people were killed, and thousands more were injured. Closer to home, there were 12,426 total hit-and-run collisions in Kentucky during the latest reporting year. Out of those, there were 17 fatal and 861 injury collisions.

Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Collision

If you are involved in a hit-and-run crash, the following steps will help you, the police, and others involved.

1. Do not pursue a fleeing driver, no matter what the situation is. Try to remember as much information as possible about the fleeing driver and their vehicle:
   • What does the driver look like?
   • License plate number
   • The vehicle’s make, model, and color
   • Which direction they were heading
2. Ensure everyone involved is safe. Check for injuries and, if you can safely do so, pull your car to a safe spot. Call 911 to report the incident and render aid to anyone who is hurt.
3. If you are injured, seek medical assistance immediately. For an emergency, let EMS take you to the hospital. Even if your injuries are minor, please know that the signs and symptoms of some injuries do not appear for hours or days after the crash.
4. Gather as much information as possible at the scene. You can use your phone to take photos of all vehicles and damage, injuries, traffic conditions, causes of the crash, and more.
5. Gather names and information of everyone involved and of eyewitnesses who may have seen the hit-and-run driver.
6. Contact your insurance company. Let them know what happened. Look at your policy to see if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. In hit-and-run cases, you will usually need to rely on this coverage if you have it. Even if a driver is caught (which does not often happen), it is unlikely they have insurance.
7. Continue medical care. As with any car accident, you need to continue all treatment plans set forth by your doctor to ensure you get maximum compensation for your case.
8. Contact an attorney as soon as possible. You can usually speak to an attorney about your options with a risk-free personal injury consultation that costs you nothing. A Lexington car accident attorney will understand all aspects of a hit-and-run crash and will be able to direct you on the best path for your case.