Few things are more infuriating than being hurt in a car accident and watching the person responsible drive away. Hit-and-run crashes are unfortunately common, and victims are often left confused, injured, and unsure whether they have any legal recourse at all.
You do. Here’s what you need to know.
Take these steps immediately. Call 911. Even if the other driver is gone, get police on the scene as quickly as possible. Officers can document the accident, look for witnesses, and sometimes identify the fleeing driver through surveillance cameras, nearby businesses, or other evidence.
While you wait for help, write down everything you remember: the color and make of the vehicle, any part of the license plate you may have seen, the direction the driver fled, and whether there were any witnesses. Take photos of your vehicle, the road, and your injuries. The smallest detail can matter.
Seek medical attention right away. Your health comes first. And from a legal standpoint, medical records created immediately after the crash are important evidence. Don’t wait to see how you feel in a day or two — some of the most serious injuries from car accidents aren’t immediately obvious.
Report the accident to your insurance company. But do it carefully. In Mississippi, hit-and-run accidents are typically handled through your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, since the at-fault driver either can’t be identified or has no insurance. Your own insurer will investigate the claim — and their interests may not fully align with yours.
If the driver is identified, you have additional options. Law enforcement sometimes locates hit-and-run drivers through traffic cameras, witnesses, or evidence left at the scene. If the driver who hit you is found and has insurance, you may be able to pursue a standard personal injury claim against them directly.
Don’t go through this alone. Hit-and-run cases involve multiple layers — law enforcement investigations, UM insurance claims, and sometimes civil litigation. Having an attorney who understands all of those moving parts can mean the difference between a fair recovery and being left with nothing.
You were the victim here. Someone chose to hurt you and drive away. I don’t let that stand.
Call Timbs Injury Law at (601) 775-5553. Your consultation is free.