What do I do if I’m involved in a car accident and the other driver leaves the scene of the accident?

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What do I do if I’m involved in a car accident and the other driver leaves the scene of the accident?

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What Do I Do If I’m Involved in a Car Accident And the Other Driver Leaves the Scene of the Accident?

Millions of car accidents take place every year, and they can be extremely frustrating and jarring experiences. There are situations where a car accident can change your entire life. So what do you do if you are in Philadelphia or one of the adjacent counties, i.e., Bucks, Chester, Delaware or Montgomery County, and you notice that the other driver has decided to leave the scene of the accident?

This is illegal, but it still takes place more often than you might think in the greater Philadelphia area, to include Montgomery and Bucks counties and many other counties throughout the United States. First and foremost, it is important to remain calm and make sure that every passenger in your car is safe. Once you have established this fact, it is then time to document everything that you can. Are there any injuries? Who was injured and how severe are the injuries?

The next step is simple: start trying to document as much information as possible. For example, try to remember the license plate of the car that drove away. You should also write down any relevant information while it is still fresh in your mind, such as the color, make, and model of the vehicle. Some cars may have more defining characteristics to note, such as tinted windows, bumper stickers, or custom rims. If you remember any other information that could help identify the driver, write it down or document it in some way as soon as possible.

After this step, you should contact the authorities (whether it is Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia County, the best thing to do is dial 911 and explain the situation.) Police officers may still be able to locate the fleeing party. Although that is not a guarantee, any information that you provide the police will be extremely helpful in that regard. A police report will prove useful later when you consult with your car accident attorney and also when you are filing a claim. Remember that your insurance company requires a report from a proper authority within 30 days from the date of the accident in order for you to be able to collect for any injuries under the uninsured portion of your insurance policy. Your personal injury attorney will be able to advise you on all of the potential options to receive a payment as a result of your MVA. It’s important to remember to remain calm and cooperate with police.

Lastly, you should speak to all potential witnesses so that your side of the story can be verified. At this point, you should consult with a car accident attorney as soon as possible to review your options.

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Our team is made of many experienced attorneys specializing in a variety of different practice areas. Whatever you need help – the Philly Lawyers team is here to help!

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We’ve won numerous awards and have contributed to numerous publications in the last 33 years.

Top Verdicts & Settlements

We won some of the top verdicts and settlements in Greater Philadelphia. Some including $3.5 million for a car accident, $10 million for a hit and run, and $30 million for a motorcycle accident.

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Our commitment to you is that you don’t pay unless we win, and only then you pay a small percentage of the amount we won for you. Every case begins with an honest assessment to determine your likelihood of success.

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Whether you need help because you’ve been injured, been in a car accident, slipped and fell or need any other legal advice, we can help.

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Real Car Accident Stories

"I was in an automobile accident in Philadelphia and I came to Kats Jamison and Associates.They were able to get me a quick recovery for the property damages to my car. They worked with my doctors to make sure I received the best medical care. All my medical bills were paid through the automobile insurance policies and my lawyers made sure it was all done properly. They explained to me the process of the settlement and litigation and once the offer was received it was communicated to me immediately. I was extremely happy with the result of my case."

"I was involved in a serious head on collision October 7th 2018. This resulted in an exceptional loss of business and months spent in Rehab. I went through 3 different attorneys trying to reach a settlement agreement. Then I finally met with Marina Kats two years since the accident. They were absolutely outstanding with the wherewithal & power to reach a settlement. Marina Kats & Brian Hanratty are outstanding! Not question that they are the go to firm when you need action steps to get everything resolved, and to be kept totally abreast!"

"I was involved in a motor vehicle accident and wasn't able to do a lot and had to stop working. From the start Marina set up an appointment for me to see a neurologist when no one was willing to see me. When I needed help or had questions she and Barb were always there to answer mine and my moms questions, to help fill out paperwork, and to get me the benefits I needed. Everyone there was extremely helpful and nice. They were patient and attentive to all of my needs and looked out for my best interests until the end. I'm glad to have met them and thankful to them."

“Marina Kats one of the best attorneys i know. She cares about clients, their well being as well as getting the best results in their personal injuries cases. I would recommend Marina Kats and Philly lawyers to anyone who needs assistance in Car accident cases and Personal injuries cases"

"Help with car accidents, bike accidents, and settlements. High recommendation, also great for Russian-speaking client - great lawyer!"

“The lawyers at this firm are caring individuals that can help you with your car accidents, get you great settlements, and treats you with great respect. For personal injury and business matters, I have known them from personal experience from a car accident in Philadelphia, they work fast and I am a very satisfied client.”

“Only at Marina Kats office! Where else can you find so much passion for the job, compassion for clients, and knowledge of the law? My answer is – Marina Kats and the people at her office. This office work ethic and abilities are very high. They have great communication skills. They are willing to listen and to hear you. They really want to help. Always available for clients, no matter when and why. Marina Kats and her people are always ready to help. Also, they get good results for clients. I strongly recommend Marina Kats office. You will not be sorry :) Marina and her people got everything resolved in an excellent timely manner.”

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Your Questions Answered

We understand when the injury occurs, you are scared and need immediate help. Here are the answers to some of the questions we hope are helpful to you.

If you come to us, we have all the answers for when you are injured in any type of accident.

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What Should I Do Immediately After I’ve Been Involved In A Car Accident?

Call the police and make sure an ambulance is sent as soon as possible. Make sure everyone involved in the accident is conscious and responsive. Stay at the scene even if the accident isn’t serious, the police should be called regardless and a police report should be filed. It is important when speaking to the police that you stick to the facts, do not speculate, and most importantly do not admit any fault. Make sure you take as many pictures as you can with your cell phone. Also, we suggest taking a picture of the other person’s license plate, their drivers license, and insurance information. The pictures should document any damage that is caused by both vehicles. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if injured, even if you do not feel any pain, you may be in a state of shock and could experience medical issues later on.

How Do I Know If I Have A Personal Injury Case Regarding A Car Accident?

If you are experiencing pain, injury, or financial damages as a result of someone else’s negligence. You may have a personal injury case. If the other driver was at fault or failed to follow the legal rules of the road – our car accident attorneys may be able to prove that the other party is liable for those damages. For example, if you were rear-ended in a car accident, typically the other driver is responsible for that accident and the insurance company could be liable for any damages.

What Should I Expect The First Few Days Following A Car Accident?

Within the first few days, you will receive communications from both your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company. You may be contacted by your health insurance company, doctors, and even attorneys. The other driver’s insurance company may request that you sign medical authorizations so they can retrieve your medical records. Before you speak to any of these people or sign any documents, it is important that you seek legal counsel.

How To Pay For Medical Expenses While My Case Is Pending?

You may have a difficult time paying for your medical expenses, even if you have health insurance. Make sure to bill any treatment as you normally would through your healthcare provider. Additionally, you may have medical payment coverage under your car insurance plan. This could be used to cover your co-pays and other medical expenses that your health insurance company may not cover initially.

What Type Of Compensation Should I Expect To Receive For My Car Accident Case?

This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on many factors. If we are successful in proving that the other party is liable for your injuries and damages, you could be compensated for medical bills and any other hospital costs, lost wages, costs of rehabilitation and physical therapy, disability or disfigurement, pain and suffering, wrongful death, including loss of financial support and any other out of pocket expense that was related to your accident.

How Long Will It Take To Complete My Case?

Depending on the severity of your injuries and the length of time you need to heal from your injuries will determine the length of your claim. We also have to factor in the willingness of the other party to settle as they make their initial offer. If unreasonable offers are made, your claim may proceed to trial, which will increase the length of your claim.

What Are The Fees For Representing Me In A Car Accident Case?

At Kats, Jamison & Associates all personal injury accident cases are handled on a contingency-fee-basis. This means that we will never charge you upfront for any cost and we will advance all costs and expenses. You will not have to reimburse our Firm for any costs unless we are successful. You will pay absolutely nothing for lawyers’ fees unless we win a monetary sum in your case.