Being involved in a hit-and-run DUI accident can be a traumatizing experience, but knowing what steps to take immediately after the incident can crucially impact your physical, financial, and legal state. These accidents are unfortunately very common and cost the nation billions of dollars in medical expenses. According to the Foundation of Traffic Safety, there are an estimated 700,000 hit-and-run accidents every year nationwide. So, understanding your course of action can help mitigate their adverse effects. Your health should be your priority, followed by taking clear and methodical steps to document and report the incident. Below, we’ve outlined essential steps to take if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation.
1. Prioritize Your Health and Safety
The first and foremost step you should take after being injured in a hit-and-run DUI accident is to ensure your safety and the safety of others with you. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, of Americans who are aged 18 and older, more than seven percent have problems with drinking, including 8.1 million people who suffer from alcoholism, increasing the odds of such unfortunate events, so stay aware and cautious. If you can move safely, try to get to a secure location out of the way of oncoming traffic. Once in a safe spot, it’s critical to assess any immediate injuries you or your passengers might have. Keeping calm and addressing health concerns promptly is the best initial approach to safeguarding your well-being.
First things first, you want to be sure you’re in a safe spot. Once you’re sure of that, calling emergency services is an absolute must. If you wait too long, those injuries you might not even notice can get worse, and it’ll mess with your recovery big time, even affecting your health for the long haul. The paramedics or first responders know exactly what to do—they’ll check how bad your injuries are and give you the care you need right then and there. Plus, it’s a good idea to have official medical records from the start. It will be helpful for legal stuff or dealing with insurance later on. Really, making your health the top priority right after the accident is a no-brainer.
2. Document the Scene of the Accident
Don’t forget to jot down anything that stands out to you at the scene. Maybe it’s the other car’s model, its color, or even the license plate number. Did any witnesses see what happened? If so, grab their contact info and a short statement of what they remember. A hit-and-run can mess with your memory, especially with all the emotions involved. That’s why capturing everything in real time matters more than you’d think. Trust me, thorough documentation could be the key to making sure everything works out in your favor—both legally and with insurance companies.
3. Call Your Insurer
First thing you should do after a hit-and-run? Call your auto insurance provider. You’ll want to give ’em the details about what went down so they can get the claim started for you. They’ll probably ask where and when it happened, plus the make, model, and license plate of the other car—if you caught that. And don’t forget the police report number if you got one.
Now, even if the other driver took off, your insurance might still be able to track ’em. Sometimes, pieces of the car or security footage could help in finding the person responsible. Insurance companies have investigators who deal with hit-and-run claims, and they may even track down the driver that fled to get back costs from the accident. So yeah, you’re not completely out of luck.
4. Contact Law Enforcement and Legal Authorities
Now, after all that, the next move is to call the cops. You need to report what happened ASAP. It’s a huge step. There are thousands, maybe over a million, lawyers across the country that deal with accident cases every year, so they’ll tell you the same thing. The police will come, gather evidence, and take statements from anyone around. They might even get a head start on tracking down the other car involved. Whatever details you’ve got, like which direction the other vehicle went or if there are cameras nearby, be sure to include that in your report. The police report is going to be key when you’re filing claims or if you take legal action.
Hang on to any paperwork you get from the police or emergency services. It’ll make life way easier when you’re dealing with insurance or in court. By the way, don’t delay—getting the incident reported quickly is super important and can smooth out the whole process later.
5. Get in Touch With a Car Accident Lawyer
Drunk driving accidents might leave you with injuries that never heal, or worse. You don’t get a second chance at a fair settlement, which is why it’s crucial not to rush. Signing that release form? Once it’s done, forget about asking for more money, even if later you find out you need extra medical care from the crash or your car needs maintenance. Think carefully. Speak with a lawyer before settling. A DUI accident attorney can dig deeper into your case, spot potential recovery sources, handle the adjusters, and if needed, they’ll take it to court. Rushing a decision might cost you more than you think.
