Hit-and-run accidents are often both confusing and traumatic. After an accident, do you know what steps to take instantly so that you keep yourself safe and protect your rights while maximizing the likelihood of catching the perpetrator? In this article, we provide a complete guide as to what to do when you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Des Moines with the help of the Des Moines personal injury law firm.

1. Ensure Your Safety

• Check for Injuries: Your first course of action is to check yourself and others in the immediate vicinity for injuries. If someone is injured, call 911 for medical help. It is important to be examined by medical professionals no matter how minor the injuries may seem.
• Move to Safety: If your car is unsafe on the road, maneuver it off the side of the road. Use hazard lights to send a signal so that other drivers can notice you.

2. Call the Police

• Report the Accident: Schedule a secret meeting with the Des Moines Police Department to report the hit-and-run. Describe everything you saw in as much detail as possible, such as when and where the accident occurred, details about the vehicle that fled the scene, and details about the driver of that vehicle if available.
• Obtain a Police Report: Ask for a copy of the police report This will be needed for filing insurance claims, and this may help law enforcement in their process too!

3. Gather Information

• Collect Evidence: Until the police show up, try to collect as much evidence as possible. Document your car damage, the scene of the accident, and any debris that you find. If there are witnesses, be sure to ask for their contact information and a brief account of what they witnessed.
• Note Details: Record any information you can remember about the fleeing vehicle, including make, model, color, and if possible a license plate. The police can also be assisted with partial information.

4. Notify Your Insurance Company

• File a Claim: Notify your insurance company to let them know about the hit-and-run accident as soon as possible. Get all of your information — including, but not limited to, the police report number, photographs, and witness statements — to them.
• Understand Your Coverage: Check your insurance policy for hit-and-run accident coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is helpful in Iowa when a hit-and-run drives away from the scene if drivers who are not at fault can have their damages and medical expenses covered.

5. Consider Legal Assistance

• Consult an Attorney: If your damages or injuries are significant, you may want to call a personal injury attorney. A lawyer will be able to take you through the process of the law, assist in filing your claim, and represent you in negotiations or court.
• Understand Your Options: They can also assist you in seeking other types of compensation, such as third parties who may be responsible or a civil suit where they find the hit-and-run driver.

Dealing with the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident can make anyone want to pull their hair out, but having these steps on hand as a guide can ensure you know what to do. The most important things you should do are to guarantee your safety, find evidence, call the police, and get medical and legal assistance. Staying calm and working through the situation methodically can help you protect your rights, and may aid in achieving some solution to the problem. Keep in mind that the community of Des Moines and local officials would like to help you during these times.