A car accident is for sure a nightmare for all the pedestrians and cyclists. The main reason behind this is hit and run accidents that occur quite frequently. A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver hits a cyclist or a pedestrian, another car, property, or causes anything else, then runs from the scene without providing truthful information. These are the cases that happen pretty often in Toronto, Ontario, and everyone should know what to do regarding this.
These are the steps you need to follow if you get into a hit-and-run accident
1. Get To Safe Side:
Never try to chase or apprehend the culprit because it will worsen the situation. Instead of this, if you are in a car, try as soon as to pull over to the side of the road. If you are a pedestrian or cyclist, then assume you are conscious and try getting to the safe side where there is no harm for you.
2. Medical Attention is Must:
Regardless of whatever you are a driver, a cyclist, or a pedestrian, you could get severely injured in a hit-and-run accident. In this regard, one must immediately call medical assistance and get a thorough medical evaluation. It’s important even if you think you are fine. Often, after getting stuck, you could be under physical or mental shock and not actually injured. Whatever the case is, you always need medical attention. Also, medical records from the accident scene are a great help for the insurance claim.
3. Report to Police:
A hit and run is a crime, and it is crucial to get reported as soon as possible and must get reported within a day means 24 hours. After reporting to the police, you will get informed to go to the collision reporting center. If the police tell you that the damage is not that much for reporting, then make sure to note the office’s info that includes his name, phone number, and badge number. This is important for insurance follow-up.
4. Gather Evidence:
While waiting for the police and paramedics’ arrival at the scene, you should gather as much evidence as possible. Begin with taking pictures of your vehicle showing damages. Note if any paint from the hitter car is transferred to your car and captured. If you were not present for the accident and found out that your vehicle is damaged, ask anyone closer to the area who witnessed the incident to help you with the evidence and pictures.
Also, make notes for the things that you remember about the incident and the vehicle that hit you. You can note the vehicle color and model, license plate number or any of its parts, any point of the way the car was headed to, the date, time, and location of the incident.
Video recorder in these kinds of situations gets handy, so it’s also an option for you.
Insurance Coverage for a Hit and Run Accident:
If you have car insurance, then get in touch with them as soon as possible. It does not matter what you are, a cyclist or a pedestrian; your car insurance will cover these kinds of accidents too. Never discuss the faults on the scene with the motorist’s insurance company as such things of yours can get used against you in the legal proceedings after the accident.
Apart from this, if both of you do not have auto insurance, might be you are still eligible for the compensation of your injuries or damage to the property via the Motor Vehicle Accident Claim Fund. It is for the victims of car accidents, whether they are cyclists, drivers, or pedestrians.
Protect Your Rights By Getting Help From Personal Injury Attorney:
If you or anyone you know is involved in a hit-and-run accident, then you should make sure to claim by getting assistance from a personal injury lawyer Toronto. A personal injury attorney will help you fight for your rights that include the pain, property damage, suffering, loss of income, and other things that happened to you. There are a lot of personal injury attorneys around Toronto who can help you with your sufferings.
