what do you do when hit
Thread started by
KiMS1 at 04.2.09 - 12:36 am
i'm sure there's already a thread on this but i couldnt find it.
anywho.
two scenarios. what are you supposed to do?
case 1
ur riding, car hits you, car takes off, no witnesses.
case 2
ur riding, car hits you, car takes off, there are witnesses.
case 3
ur riding, car hits you, driver gets out, driver is not hostile.
case 4
ur riding, car hits you, driver gets out, driver is hostile.
what is the best way to handle in these scenarios? what kind of information should you gather before leaving? do you call the cops? are the cops even going to come out?
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Generally speaking:
If you are in an accident, you should do the following:
1. If you are able to move(e.g. you're certain there are no head/spinal cord injuries) move out of the street so you don't get hit again.
2. Is anyone injured? If so, CALL THE POLICE AND HAVE THEM COME AND TAKE A REPORT. If the accident was not your fault, and you've got anything more than tiny scrapes and bruises, GO TO THE HOSPITAL and get checked out. (You should probably go get checked out anyway, either using your insurance or telling the hospital you're indigent and cannot pay.) Get the name / badge no. of the officer (or his/her card) so you can follow up with them.
3. Exchange information with the other party (Insurance, license plate number, driver's license number, phone number, address, etc., etc.) NO MATTER HOW NICE THEY ARE, GET THIS INFO! You may have uninsured motorist on your insurance (if you drive), so even if they can't pay/are uninsured, it can be helpful for you to have their info so your insurance can pay out.
4. Get names/phone numbers/e-mail/etc. for any witnesses.
5. Once you've got all the available information from the other party, the officer, witnesses, etc. and have a moment to calm down, write down exactly what happened as best you can remember it. Also, if there were injuries or extensive damage, fill out an SR-1 accident report form with the DMV.
6. Once you've finished all the medical care, decide on whether or not you want an attorney. They'll take 30-40% of the recovery, but if they can get you more than you would have gotten, it can be worth it. (The standard metric that you should go for is 2.5-4x the amount of total medicals, YMMV.)
case 1
ur riding, car hits you, car takes off, no witnesses.
Get the plate if you can, call the police. Try to get them to come out and take a report, either way, give them as much info about the car and driver as you possibly can. This is a hit and run, and the police don't appreciate that much at all.
case 2
ur riding, car hits you, car takes off, there are witnesses.
Get the plate if you can, call the police. Try to get them to come out and take a report, either way, give them as much info about the car and driver as you possibly can, and give the witness info and explain that there are multiple witnesses. This is a hit and run, and the police don't appreciate that much at all.
case 3
ur riding, car hits you, driver gets out, driver is not hostile.
As first explained.
case 4
ur riding, car hits you, driver gets out, driver is hostile.
As first explained. Give him/her a minute to chill out if he/she needs it. You will both be fully amped on adrenaline, so, if you want any hope of a recovery from his/her insurance company, resist the urge to attack him/her or his/her car with your u-lock/pepper spray/etc. While you're waiting for the driver to chill out, use this time to call the police, and to write down the license plate and make/model of car, so if the driver changes his mind and bails, at least you've got some useful info. Don't escalate the situation or argue, just exchange info, get medical help if you need it, and move on.
what is the best way to handle in these scenarios? what kind of information should you gather before leaving? do you call the cops? are the cops even going to come out?
JB04.2.09 - 1:02 am
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