What to Know if Someone Runs You Off the Road and Causes You to Crash
Being involved in an auto accident caused by an aggressive driver can result in serious injuries or fatalities. If you were involved in a motor vehicle collision with a reckless driver and they ran you off the road, there are certain things you must do to protect yourself and your legal rights.
What to Do If Another Driver Runs You Off the Road
If your vehicle was forced off the road by another driver, follow these steps:
Contact 911
contact 911 immediately. When law enforcement arrives at the scene, provide them with as much information as possible, including license plate number and vehicle and driver descriptions. During this time, the responding law enforcement officer will fill out a police report that will record all of this information. The police report can be used when filing your insurance claim against the other driver or if you file a claim with your insurer.
Seek Medical Treatment
Once you have finished speaking with law enforcement, visit your local emergency room or urgent care facility. It’s important to have a medical evaluation as soon as possible after an accident. Some types of accident injuries do not present symptoms for several hours or days following an accident.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
Contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible following the accident to discuss your legal rights and options. They can work closely with law enforcement to help identify the driver. Even if the driver is never identified, it’s still possible to pursue compensation for your accident-related losses. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, your car accident lawyer can help you file a claim with your insurance provider. They can also handle settlement negotiations and ensure you recover the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
What Happens if the Other Driver is Identified?
If your car accident lawyer and law enforcement were able to locate the reckless driver, the driver would most likely be faced with criminal charges. Keep in mind, even if the other driver is charged with reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or other criminal charges, you must still file a claim against their insurance provider to recover compensation for your accident-related damages. If the other driver does not have insurance, you can still file a claim with your insurance provider if you have uninsured motorist coverage. You can also file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver.
Do I Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
These types of accidents can be very difficult to investigate. A car accident lawyer will have the skills, knowledge, and resources to investigate this type of hit-and-run accident, increasing your odds of locating the hit-and-run driver. Even if the driver is never identified, an attorney can be invaluable during this time, helping you file a claim with your own insurance company and guiding you through the entire process. If the driver is identified, your attorney will use evidence, such as the police report, the other driver’s arrest records, breathalyzer results, and more to build a strong case against them and ensure that their insurance provider pays you the compensation you’re owed.
Contact Us Today
If you were involved in an auto accident that was caused by a negligent motorist, contact the auto accident lawyers at MVP Accident Attorneys today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Our accident attorneys have extensive experience handling complex auto accident claims and know how to build a strong case that can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more.
Author
Brett Sachs
Brett S. Sachs graduated from Michigan State University College of Law with Cum Laude Honors. While attending Michigan State, Brett was awarded for his service in the Michigan State University College of Law Civil Rights Clinic, where he represented prisoners of the Michigan Department of Corrections from injustices brought upon them. Learn more.
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