“What Should I Do After a Hit and Run Accident in North Carolina?”

North Carolina law dictates that all individuals involved in a motor vehicle remain at the scene of the accident until police investigators arrive and file their report. But that doesn’t always happen and hit and run accidents in North Carolina are surprisingly common. What should you do if the other motorist bolts?

In this article, we’ll answer the question “What should I do after a hit and run accident in North Carolina?” and share some tips for how you can protect your legal rights if you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence.

You don’t have to go through this alone. The experienced NC auto accident lawyers at Riddle & Brantley may be able to help. Call 1-800-525-7111 today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

The consultation is free and there are never any attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive compensation.

Call 1-800-525-7111 to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer about your hit and run accident injury case today.

We serve clients across the entire state of North Carolina, including:

What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident

Follow these important steps in order to protect your legal rights if you’ve been injured in a hit and run accident.

Step 1 – Document As Much As You Can.

The most valuable evidence is collected right away. If you or a companion are able, take photos of the accident scene before the vehicles are moved. Get broken glass, skid-marks, nearby traffic lights or stop signs, property damage, and photos of all injuries – up close and from afar, using multiple angles. Jot down notes about what you were doing right before the collision. If any bystanders approach, get their names and contact information as eyewitnesses. Most accidents do have witnesses and it is vital to get their contact information.

A personal injury lawyer at Riddle & Brantley can help you collect immediate documentation, which is especially important if you’ve been taken by ambulance to the hospital with no advocates left on the scene. We can meet with you, free of charge – in-person, or by phone, email, or even video conference.

There is no in-person meeting required to get started on your hit and run injury case. Call 1-800-525-7111 today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation.

Step 2 – Call the Police.

It’s always worth calling the police to file a formal report. Be sure to get the responding officer’s name and badge number, and request a copy of the report. Some North Carolinians worry that calling the police will be pointless, and the assailant will never be caught. However, our experience is similar to the findings of AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research — about half of all hit-and-run drivers are eventually identified.

These individuals not only face stiff criminal penalties for committing a Class H felony (punishable by 4 to 25 months in jail), but liability for damages in your civil lawsuit, too.

Hit-and-run drivers are more likely to be young men with a history of DWI arrests, drivers with suspended licenses, or criminals carrying contraband. Some motorists may fail to render aid because they didn’t see precisely what happened and panicked, or because they think the crash wasn’t serious enough to warrant stopping.

Whatever the reason, people make mistakes. Sometimes they’re ready to own up to what they’ve done once the police catch up to them. Other times, you may need to pursue a court case. If you’re wondering what to do after a hit and run accident, you should first immediately call 911 and report the accident.

Lawyers at Riddle & Brantley often liaison with local police departments to collect evidence. Our NC auto accident lawyers leverage more than 220+ years of combined legal expertise, and some of our attorneys are members of the esteemed Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, among other prestigious organizations (see disclaimer below).

Step 3 – Call a Lawyer.

Police departments do not always have the resources to pursue a hit-and-run accident case. Law firms have vast networks of private detectives, crash scene investigators, skip tracers, forensic experts, medical doctors, and other experts they can lean on to build a case for compensation.

Our hit-and-run accident investigations may include evidence like automobile paint left on the victim’s clothes or vehicle, skid-marks, surveillance footage, bystander statements, suspicious activity at nearby auto body shops, and anonymous tips. In some past cases, our own investigators have located the hit and run drivers and contacted the authorities who were able to make an arrest. Usually, drivers don’t leave the scene of an accident unless they are violating a law or have something to hide.

A car accident lawyer can obtain a court order once a potential suspect has been identified that allows us to collect extra evidence. If the suspect is apprehended, their auto liability insurance should pay for your injuries – but there is no guarantee.

We believe Justice Counts, and we would love to help however we can.

Don’t wait to contact us after a hit and run accident. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to recover compensation for you in your case.

For a FREE consultation concerning a hit and run accident resulting in injury, please call 1-800-525-7111.

There are no upfront costs and you won’t pay a dime in attorney fees unless we win your case.

Please call 1-800-525-7111 and let’s talk.

Step 4 – Call the Insurance Company.

All North Carolina motorists are encouraged to maintain uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in their liability insurance policy. This coverage applies to hit and run accidents and should cover injuries in the event a suspect cannot be found. However, insurers may question why you need certain medical treatments or dispute your claims to compensation. Working with a car accident lawyer will ensure that your legal rights are upheld.

We will not only investigate the accident and help identify the driver who hit you, but we can also collect documents, in addition to tapping the expertise of forensic economists and accountants, to calculate the full extent of your losses.

You may be eligible for compensation to cover your injuries, medical bills, lost time off work, property damage, and compensation for pain and suffering. Your losses may not just be all in the past, but in the future, too. We’ll negotiate with insurance providers on your behalf, presenting a strong case to judge and jury if we cannot obtain a negotiated settlement that meets your needs.

If you have been hurt because of someone else’s negligence and are wondering “What should I do after a hit and run accident?”, call 1-800-525-7111 without delay.

A consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers is free, and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless you receive compensation.

Justice Counts.

Please call 1-800-525-7111 to discuss your hit and run accident injury case with an experienced Riddle & Brantley attorney today.

*** Disclaimer: An attorney must meet certain requirements to join these organizations or receive these awards. For more information on Membership Criteria for Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the Litigator Award, and other memberships, awards, and accolades, please visit our Membership Criteria page. These awards and memberships should not be construed as a promise or guarantee of a similar result. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately.

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