After a hit and run accident, you should get to a safe place and call 911 for medical help and police assistance. Report what happened, and gather as much information as you can about the vehicle and the scene.
Even if the other driver leaves, you may still have options for recovering compensation through insurance or other legal avenues. Medical bills, vehicle damage, and questions from the insurance company can follow quickly.
A Boston car accident lawyer from Earley Law Group will explain your rights, protect your claim, and help you understand your legal options after a driver leaves the scene. You can start with a free consultation.
What Should You Do Right After a Hit and Run?
The minutes after a hit and run accident matter, so you should take actions that protect your health and well-being and your possible claim for damages. The legal team at Earley Law Group often reminds clients that the first few steps after a crash can make a difference later.
Move to Safety
If your vehicle can be moved, pull over to a safe location away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights if possible. If anyone is seriously hurt, stay where you are unless remaining there creates another danger.
Call 911
Tell the dispatcher the following information:
- Where the crash happened
- Whether anyone is injured
- Which direction the fleeing driver went
- A description of the vehicle, if you have one
A police report can become an important part of your claim, so make sure the responding officer files one and request a copy of it once it is officially filed. We will help obtain a copy of it if you cannot get one.
Get Medical Care
Not all injuries show up or cause pain right away. A prompt medical evaluation ensures you get the care you need as soon as possible and creates records that connect your injuries to the crash.
Does Massachusetts Require Drivers to Stay at the Scene?
Massachusetts law requires drivers involved in many crashes to stop, remain at the scene, and provide identifying information.
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 24 explains the legal duty to stop after a collision and the penalties for leaving the scene. Earley Law Group can explain how these laws may affect your case if the other driver fled.
What Information Should You Try to Remember?
No detail is too small when trying to help the police find the driver who hit you. Try to remember things like the vehicle’s color, make and model, and license plate number. Even if you recall part of it, it can help the search for the vehicle.
Earley Law Group uses these details when investigating hit and run claims. You can also share if there was damage to the vehicle or stickers, dents, or other unique features.
Write everything down as soon as you can while your memory is still fresh. You may remember the direction the vehicle traveled or the driver’s appearance, if you saw them.
Take Photos and Gather Evidence
Photos and witness information are important pieces of evidence in hit and run cases. The attorneys at Earley Law Group carefully review every available record when preparing a claim.
If it is safe to do so, you can take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, the accident scene, tire marks, debris, traffic signs, weather and road conditions, and visible injuries. If anyone saw the crash, ask for their name and contact information. Their accounts of what happened may help support your version of events.
Nearby businesses, homes, or traffic cameras may have recorded the collision. Video footage is sometimes erased within days, so collecting it as soon as possible can make a difference.
Can You Recover Damages After a Hit and Run?
Even if you don’t know who the driver is, you can still seek compensation for your injuries and losses after a hit and run accident. Earley Law Group will review your insurance coverage and explain what options we may be able to pursue based on the facts of your case.
Depending on your situation, your financial award may come from:
- Any uninsured motorist (UM) coverage you have.
- Medical payments coverage, if your policy includes it.
- The at-fault driver’s insurance if the driver is later identified.
- Other insurance policies that may apply.
What if the Police Never Find the Person Who Hit You?
Your case does not automatically close if the police cannot identify the driver. Even after the initial investigation, Earley Law Group can continue looking for evidence that may help strengthen your claim. In some cases, more information becomes available after the crash.
We may be able to:
- Ask for surveillance footage from nearby businesses or homes.
- Speak with witnesses who the police did not interview at the scene.
- Review photographs, vehicle damage, and other physical evidence.
- Look for additional information that may help identify the vehicle or driver.
- Work with experts when the facts of the crash require a closer review.
Finding the driver is not the only measure of a successful case. Building a strong claim often depends on gathering as much reliable evidence as possible before it disappears.
Mistakes to Avoid After a Hit and Run Happens
Small mistakes can make it harder to file an insurance claim. At Earley Law Group, we help clients protect their claims from the beginning. If possible, try to avoid doing any of the following:
- Leaving the accident scene before the police arrive unless emergency medical care requires it.
- Waiting too long to report the accident.
- Guessing about details you do not know.
- Throwing away damaged property.
- Posting about the accident on social media.
- Accepting a settlement before you understand the full scope of your injuries and losses.
How Long Do You Have to Sue After a Hit and Run Crash?
In many Massachusetts car accident cases, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, hit and run cases can have different time limits in some situations.
Under Chapter 260, Section 4B of the Massachusetts General Laws, if you later learn of the driver’s identity, the law may give you up to six months from the date you discover the driver’s identity to file a lawsuit, provided that certain notice requirements are met.
A lawsuit cannot be filed more than three years after the crash. Earley Law Group will explain which deadline applies to your situation and discuss your next steps. Missing the deadline for your case can affect your right to seek damages. Speaking with our attorney early can help protect your case.
Call Earley Law Group to Learn More About What to Do in a Hit and Run
Speaking with a lawyer from Earley Law Group as soon as possible can help you decide what to do after a hit and run accident. For more than 20 years, our firm has helped people across the state recover from their injuries and losses.
We have recovered millions for our clients and know that every case deserves personal attention. Our Boston personal injury lawyers provide white-glove service, work on a contingency fee basis, and help connect clients with medical resources when needed.
Our team takes the time to understand how an injury fully affects you or your loved one and will work to recover all your damages. Call Earley Before It’s Too Late!™ Start today with a free consultation.
