Injured from a Hit and Run with a Drunk Driver – How Do I Report Them?

When we get behind the wheel, we accept an immense responsibility for the safety of others on the road. If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver who proceeded to flee the scene, they not only breached the duty of care they owed you but were also too cowardly to accept responsibility for the damage they caused – and it makes your situation that much more difficult. If this is the position you find yourself in, you need the professional representation of an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney backing you up.

First Steps

If you’ve been injured by a hit-and-run driver, the most important first step you can take – after moving your vehicle out of harm’s way to the degree possible – is calling 911. At this point, it’s important to tell the operator everything you can remember about the other driver and their vehicle – memories can fade and even warp in the aftermath of an accident, which makes establishing the facts early on critical.

Once the emergency medical techs arrive, you should accept the care they offer, including going to the hospital if they advise you to. Otherwise, get checked out by your doctor after leaving the scene – serious injuries can hide in plain sight, and it’s always in your best interest to be safe rather than sorry.

If you’re able to do so at the accident scene, you should give the attending officer all the accident details that you can. Finally, you shouldn’t wait to consult with a resourceful car accident lawyer who will spare no effort in their quest to identify the at-fault driver and to recover compensation for the full scope of your covered losses.

When the At-Fault Driver Flees the Scene of the Accident

There is no denying that hit-and-run accidents are among the most challenging car accident claims, but this doesn’t mean all hope is lost. The fact is that there are a lot of checks and balances in place, and it’s far more difficult for hit and run drivers to escape detection than it ever was before. Further, your practiced car accident lawyer is well prepared to help ensure that they are detected.

Identifying the Drunk Driver

While the drunk driver who caused you to be injured may not be present when the police arrive, there are important tools at your disposal that can go a long way toward locating them, including:

• The photos and videos that bystanders at the scene capture
• The testimony of eyewitnesses
• Footage from dashcams, security cameras, and traffic cameras in the vicinity
• Physical evidence, such as paint transfer from car to car and skid marks at the scene

This kind of evidence not only helps to identify the at-fault driver but can also help to establish that they were impaired.

Consult with an Experienced Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Today

The capable Philadelphia car accident attorneys at HGSK Injury Lawyers have a proven track record for successfully guiding even the most complex claims toward favorable resolutions, and we’re here for you, too. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at 267-551-8782 and scheduling a free consultation today.