A hit-and-run accident means a motor vehicle driver has broken the law in New Mexico by leaving the scene of a car accident without stopping, helping those who have been injured and exchanging contact information. This is a serious crime that can come with significant penalties. Learn how to report a hit-and-run accident correctly to improve the odds of justice being served.
Start the recovery process by reporting your hit-and-run to the proper authorities. Then, contact a motor vehicle accident attorney in Albuquerque for legal advice.
Call 911 at the Scene
Call the police while you are still at the scene of the hit-and-run accident by dialing 911. This will put you in touch with the closest local law enforcement precinct. Depending on the severity of the crash, the police may send an officer to your location. Be sure to request an ambulance, as well, if anyone has been injured.
Stay at the scene until the police arrive. Give the police your version of events. Be sure to disclose any information you have about the hit-and-run driver, such as a description of his or her vehicle or a partial license plate number. Even small details could help identify and locate the at-fault driver.
Get Medical Care
One of the reasons fleeing the scene of a car accident is criminalized in New Mexico is that it puts those involved in the crash in danger. They may not receive the prompt medical care that they need to survive. Go to a hospital right away for prompt injury treatment after a hit-and-run collision. This can improve your prognosis for recovery, document your injuries for the record and help with your insurance claim.
Collect Evidence
While you’re still at the scene of a hit-and-run in New Mexico, do your best to collect evidence that can help you put together a claim. This can include photographs of your damaged vehicle and the crash scene, witness names and contact information, and video surveillance footage. After you go to the hospital, request copies of your medical records. Get a copy of the police report, as well, to strengthen your case.
Notify Your Car Insurance Company
Next, report the hit-and-run accident to your car insurance company. You may have one or more types of first-party coverage on your own policy to help you pay for hit-and-run damage. This includes uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance and collision coverage. Ask your auto insurance provider if you have coverage that will pay for your losses.
Follow Up With Police
While you seek financial compensation from an insurance company for your hit-and-run, continue cooperating with the police during their investigation of the crash. Follow up with law enforcement in the coming days and weeks to find out whether they have found the culprit.
If the hit-and-run driver is brought into custody, you can choose to cooperate with the police during a criminal case, if desired. A criminal conviction could lead to penalties such as fines and jail time for the driver. A hit-and-run can be charged as a felony in New Mexico if it causes serious injuries or deaths.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
Whether or not the police identify the driver who hit you and ran, you have legal options as a victim. A hit-and-run accident attorney in Albuquerque, NM can guide you through the claims process from start to settlement. The Fine Law Firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe your attorney anything unless he or she wins your case and achieves a settlement from an insurance provider. Contact us today for a free hit-and-run accident case review.