Hit and run accidents are one of the biggest detriments when it comes to making personal compensation claims. However, it might still be possible to make a successful claim even if the other driver had left the accident scene.
These are the steps one should take while trying to get compensation for a hit and run accident:
Report the Accident
Locating the liable party is an important step in filing compensation claims. For that reason, one should always report the accident to the Gardaí. When doing so, one should provide the officer taking their case with as many details as they can. The police officer will then use those details to try and identify the driver.
Once they locate the driver, the victim of the car accident will be able to make a claim against the driver’s insurance policy. If they don’t have a standard insurance policy, one can initiate a claim against the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau
Motor insurance companies are funding the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to specifically protect the victims of hit and run accidents. They also protect the victims of accidents where the negligent driver has no insurance. They can cover any damages one sustains from the car crash.
Establishing Liability
In order to get compensation, one will have to establish liability for the injury. Doing so is not always easy since there are multiple factors that go into every accident.
For that reason, it is very important to promptly report the accident to the Gardaí and to hire a lawyer. We would also recommend obtaining any and all medical records of the injuries.
The medical records are a crucial part of the process as they help determine the compensation amount.
One should bear in mind that most claims for personal injuries still end up as settlements. Sometimes, those settlements will match the amount of money the plaintiffs wanted to receive, but sometimes they won’t. A solicitor will help prepare the case and maximise the potential amount you might receive from the court. That can strengthen your position during the negotiation process with the liable party. In the end, the goal of the claim is not to make a profit. These claims are there to give fair compensation for the injuries and the costs the car accident victims have sustained.
