What to do After a Hit and Run Accident: How to Get Your Life Back on Track
When you’re the victim of a hit and run accident, you’re the victim of an injustice. You’ll likely find yourself questioning the circumstances, from “why me” to “how could someone do this to me?”
You never quite get the closure you need with a hit and run accident. It’s hard to imagine how someone in their right mind could possibly do this to you and try to get away with it.
Sadly, there are people out there who do this, and they need to be brought to justice.
If you’ve experienced a hit and run accident, we want you to know your options. The road to recovery is going to be difficult, and you could find yourself with permanent injuries. However, you’re not alone and you shouldn’t be suffering in silence.
Here’s what you can do to make a claim and get the compensation you need to get your life back on track, even if it’ll never fully be the same.
What to do After a Hit and Run
When you get hit by a car as a pedestrian or a cyclist, you’re probably going to be in shock. There are many things that will cross your mind, and it’s hard to think about the future when the present is full of pain.
Collect as many witnesses as you can who can identify the person who hit you. Sometimes the driver will drive away too fast to see their license plate, but there are other ways to apprehend someone. Witnesses are your best bet.
Record the make, colour, and model of the car, and any other identifying elements. File a police report as soon as possible, and note those details to the officer.
You should also try to take pictures of the scene if you can. This isn’t the first thing you’re going to think about when you’ve been struck by a giant rolling metal box, but it can help your settlement in court.
The Consequences for Leaving the Scene of an Accident
As a pedestrian, you have rights and there are driving laws in place to protect you. If you’re hit, you can sue the other driver for your injuries. Depending on the situation, the driver can also be charged criminally.
Leaving the scene of an accident is known legally as failure to remain.
In Ontario, drivers who fail to remain at the scene can face 7 demerit points on their license.
Under the Criminal Code of Canada, it is a criminal offence to flee the scene of an accident. Those who fail to remain at the scene could be sentenced to jail time or a summary conviction.
Anyone who fails to remain at an accident where they caused bodily harm is subject to imprisonment of up to 14 years for injury. If they cause death, they could be given a life sentence.
In January of 2016, the government of Ontario implemented new legislation for drivers when it comes to pedestrian crossings. Anyone driving through a crosswalk with a crossing guard, a school zone, or a pedestrian crosswalk, cannot drive through until the pedestrian is entirely off the road.
Anyone caught doing so faces a fine of $150 to $500, as well as 3 demerit points. If someone is injured, they are charged criminally.
Recovering From a Hit and Run Injury
When you’re a cyclist or pedestrian hit by a car, you are at risk for serious, sometimes life-threatening injuries. You’re not shielded by anything, and you’re vulnerable to the impact of their car.
Of course, your safety is a priority and you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Don’t let any injuries go untreated, even if you don’t think they seem like a big deal at the time. Traumatic brain injury and whiplash don’t always show symptoms right away, but they can develop into more serious conditions if left alone.
Some hit and run injuries are extremely serious and can lead to death or paralysis, like spinal cord injuries. Recovery for those serious injuries can often span years or a lifetime, and you’ll need to seek ongoing rehabilitation.
Your settlement can provide you with compensation to cover those rehabilitation and ongoing medical costs.
Hit and Run Claims in Ontario
Hit and run claims in Ontario can lead to a big payout for you if your injuries are serious. Drivers who fail to remain at the scene of the accident don’t do well in court because their actions show no remorse or care.
When you’re seriously injured, you need as much medical attention as possible.
Suing the driver can ensure that you get compensation to help deal with your injuries and post-traumatic recovery.
Depending on the case, you could receive financial support for one or more of the following things:
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Lost income due to missed work
- Medical bills and expenses
- Ongoing rehabilitation or treatment
- Wrongful death and funeral costs
- Caregiver costs
- Equipment costs, such as wheelchairs or mobility devices
- Loss of quality of life
Under the Statute of Limitations in Ontario, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file your claim. If you wait longer than that, you might not get the settlement you deserve.
Contact Conte & Associates if You’ve Been Injured in a Hit and Run Accident
If someone has left you at the scene of an accident, alone to deal with your pain and suffering, they need to be served justice. No one should be able to get away with doing this to you.
At Conte & Associates, we are sympathetic to your experience. We want to make sure you get the best settlement you can so you can begin healing.
We work with the top medical experts and professionals in Ontario, in a variety of fields, from psychologists to physicians. Whether you’ve suffered a paralyzing spinal cord injury or a minor concussion, they’re available to strengthen your case.
Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll help you figure out what your next steps are and the actions you can take against your opponent. You are not in this alone.
Book your consultation now to meet with our passionate, aggressive legal team.
