Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on January 23, 2017
Hit-and-Run Accident Injures Metro Police Officer
The driver of a sedan crashed into an SUV driven by a Metro police officer early Friday, causing him to suffer serious injuries.
Per a report by WKRN.com, the accident occurred just before 5:30 a.m. on Second Avenue South near Crenshaw Street in Davidson County when the officer pulled his SUV into an area where drug activity frequently takes place. As he pulled into the area, the sedan struck his SUV, nearly ripping its door off.
The sedan then struck another vehicle before the driver fled the scene. A police report of the incident described the vehicle that struck the SUV as a silver Kia Optima with temporary license plates.
Emergency responders transported the officer to a nearby hospital to receive treatment for serious injuries to his leg. After the accident, police set up a large presence in the area to search for the suspects.
Anyone with information about the accident is urged to contact the MNPD.
What Should You Do if You’re Involved in a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Building a strong claim for damages after a hit-and-run accident can be difficult, especially if the driver flees the scene right away. However, in many cases, victims can obtain information from other sources to identify the drivers that struck them or their vehicles, but they must act fast before evidence disappears.
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, it’s important that you:
Calling 911 takes care of two things. First, it alerts the police that an accident occurred. If officers are near your location, they may be able to apprehend the driver before he or she gets too far from the scene. Second, it means that an ambulance crew will be dispatched to treat you and anyone else who may have suffered injuries. Getting treated after any type of accident is vital not only when it comes to protecting your health, but also establishing evidence of your injuries when pursuing compensation.
The moments right before, during, and after accidents can seem like a blur, but anyone who witnessed the accident may have a clear recollection of what happened. Ask witnesses for their contact information, as they can provide police and your attorney with valuable information like a description of the driver, a description of the vehicle, and even a license plate number.
Anger is a common emotion that victims feel after being involved in hit-and-run accidents. But if your vehicle was struck, it’s important to pull over and call police and wait for them to handle the situation. Trying to take the law into your own hands or locate the suspect yourself can make a bad situation even worse.
Insurance providers require that their customers report accidents within a relatively short timeframe to be eligible for coverage for these incidents. If the hit-and-run suspect is never located, you may need to collect damages from your own insurance company, so it’s vital that you follow all the right steps as soon as possible to remain eligible for full compensation.
Even if you take all the right steps, it can still be difficult to get full compensation after a hit-and-run accident if you pursue it on your own. At Matt Hardin Law, we’ll take all the evidence listed above, such as a police report, medical report, your own memory of the accident, and witness statements, and then we’ll collect additional evidence like accident scene debris and traffic/security camera footage. Using that evidence, we can attempt to track down the person who caused the accident and hold him or her responsible for your injuries.
Hit-and-run accidents can leave victims feeling helpless. But when victims act fast and have both the police and their attorney working on their side, they have a much better chance of getting closure on the accident and getting the money they deserve for their accident-related expenses.
Don’t wait to get the experienced and qualified hit-and-run accident legal representation you need. Get in touch with the Nashville auto accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law today. Just dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
