Hit and Run Car Accident Question

[Rora]

At 2pm today I was involved in a Hit and Run Car Accident. I was stopped at a red light and a girl bashed into the back of my car. I hit my head on the steering wheel and then again on the headrest. The light turned green and we both went right. I pulled over thinking we'd both get out, access damage, exchange info, etc. Well, she didn't pull over, she sped away.

My car's bumper has scratches and the paint chipped off. It's dented but other than that my car is okay. Thank goodness.

I went to the Police Department and they told me that nothing could be done since she and I both left the scene of the accident and I didn't catch her tag number. I completely understand this. They gave me a form to fill out to send to my insurance company and told me they'd check the traffic cameras.

I went to the hospital (per my Dad's request) and was told that I had a concussion. Now I just feel like total, utter crap. I know I got really lucky that I didn't get hurt even worse but ugh..

My question (sorry for being long winded!): has this happens to anyone else and if so, did they ever find who did it via looking at traffic cameras? Also, any tips on dealing with a concussion is appreciated (already talked to my DR- Tylenol, no sleeping, no laying down, no physical activity, etc but any other tips from DISers would be great!).

Thanks in advance!

 

[golfgal]

Did you file a claim with your insurance company yet? They will pick up the tab for your medical bills. Also, since it is a hit and run it is considered a comprehensive claim vs a collision so it won't affect your rates so that is good. As for the concussion, time is the best thing for you. I would not be home alone though, are you staying with someone?

 

[Rora]

I didn't file yet with my insurance company. I have to send in a form to the Police Department and then they will type up the report which I will send to the Insurance.

Actually, I'm not staying with anyone tonight. DFi is just leaving now to go work the night shift. He's a Police Officer and sadly can't get out of duty. No family is near by. I do have a friend that is stopping by later to bring me dinner and hopefully she'll be able to stay awhile.

Thanks!

 

[Handbag Lady]

Why would you leaving the scene be a problem? Were you just supposed to wait there after that other person took off? And do what exactly?


I agree with the other poster and call your insurance company and turn it in.

And write down everything now that you can think of so you can refer to it later.

 

[Rora]

Why would you leaving the scene be a problem? Were you just supposed to wait there after that other person took off? And do what exactly?


I agree with the other poster and call your insurance company and turn it in.

And write down everything now that you can think of so you can refer to it later.

I don't know what I was supposed to do at the scene either. I guess then the officer would've filled out the report instead of me? I asked DFi but he just finished Police Academy and doesn't quite know all of the standard procedures yet..

I will definitely write everything down- great suggestion. Thanks!

 

[leight]

I'm in tampa and last year during my lunch hour I was rearended at a light at a busy intersection with a blocked shoulder from construction . There was a police station 100 ft from the accident so I turned out of the way of traffic and the guy that hit me followed me into the police station. This was a pretty dangerous intersection if we had tried to open doors etc so I thought I was doing the best thing. I was told at the station that they wouldn't file a report since we left the scene we could file our own incident report thru them, which we did. I don't get this - how could it be better to stay in a dangerous position to exch info when 100 ft away is the police station?

His insurance paid, mine had accident forgiveness but next time I will take a picture from my phone to capture tag info and then call the cops- and not move.

Hope you feel better. Maybe your FI can put pressure to have the camera's reviewed but a lot of them don't run at certain hours in our neck of the woods. Good luck!

 

[Jennasis]

Wow! She must've hit you really hard to make your head hit the steering wheel. That sucks! I just can't help but think about how much people suck when I here this stuff. She probably was driving without a license or without insurance. Grrr..

Out of curiosity...were you wearing a seatbelt?

 

[honugirl]

Hey Rora, do you have a friend that can call you every couple of hours while Dfiance is at work? Can he text you every so often to make sure you're doing OK? Concussions are tough because there really isn't anything you can do for them. Time is the only thing that heals them. Best thing to do is grab the phone so it's next to you, get some snacks and settle in for a night of TV. If you have trouble with your vision, nausea, vomiting, severe headache (worse than it is now) or anything else funky, don't be afraid to call 9-1-1. Better to be safe than sorry.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Rora]

I'm in tampa and last year during my lunch hour I was rearended at a light at a busy intersection with a blocked shoulder from construction . There was a police station 100 ft from the accident so I turned out of the way of traffic and the guy that hit me followed me into the police station. This was a pretty dangerous intersection if we had tried to open doors etc so I thought I was doing the best thing. I was told at the station that they wouldn't file a report since we left the scene we could file our own incident report thru them, which we did. I don't get this - how could it be better to stay in a dangerous position to exch info when 100 ft away is the police station?

His insurance paid, mine had accident forgiveness but next time I will take a picture from my phone to capture tag info and then call the cops- and not move.

Hope you feel better. Maybe your FI can put pressure to have the camera's reviewed but a lot of them don't run at certain hours in our neck of the woods. Good luck!

I was at a very busy intersection as well! In addition, it was also pouring rain. I didn't think it would be best to get out in the middle of the road, etc. Your experience makes me feel better about the procedure of my accident. So glad things worked out for you!!

DFi is definitely going to try to view the tapes or ask someone to do it. However, like you said, the cameras only run on occasion here, if at all during the day.

Wow! She must've hit you really hard to make your head hit the steering wheel. That sucks! I just can't help but think about how much people suck when I here this stuff. She probably was driving without a license or without insurance. Grrr..

Out of curiosity...were you wearing a seatbelt?

Yeah, she was going pretty fast! She was young, a college student. I saw the University of Florida decal in her window. I was so angry that she drove away because if she had pulled over, I wasn't going to call the police. Just get her info, see what she said, etc.

I was actually wearing my seatbelt, thank goodness!! Who knows what would've happened if I wasn't wearing it.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

I guess it depends where you live. Where I live they have signs saying, "Steer it? Clear it!"

Hope that you get to feeling better real soon!

 

[golfgal]

I wouldn't wait for the police report to file your insurance, just tell them one is being processed. They will want the information for the hospital too so have that ready. Call the 800 number on your card tonight and get the process rolling--mainly so they can have the medical bills forwarded to them and you don't have to deal with them.

 

[Rora]

I wouldn't wait for the police report to file your insurance, just tell them one is being processed. They will want the information for the hospital too so have that ready. Call the 800 number on your card tonight and get the process rolling--mainly so they can have the medical bills forwarded to them and you don't have to deal with them.

You have a good point. I will definitely do this. Thanks so much!

 

[kim929]

I hope you feel better soon. My daughter had 2 concussions last year, her head hurt for a few days. I would get your car checked out just in case, I was rear ended, my bumper only had a little dent and some scratches, but there was alot of damage under the car you couldn't see.

 

[my3sonsagn]

Were there other cars around when it happened? I've seen signs up saying "If you witnessed an accident at this location on <insert date here> call the police at <phone number>", so maybe try that in case the cameras don't pan out. It's odd how different areas handle accidents and moving out of the road - I was rear-ended in Nov, and the police told me on the phone when I called it in to pass the word that drivable vehicles were to clear the road; it was pretty obvious from the locations of the damage on the cars and crap in the road just what had happened.

I hope you feel better soon, and that the girl grows a concience and goes to the police herself!

Jennifer

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm so sorry. I had a hit and run, but I was able to get a partial tag. I stayed put b/c I was so freaked out and called 911 immediately since the driver drove off as I was pulling to the side. A witness later came back and had the one digit I was missing on the tag.

I wouldn't sweat it so much. The police should still allow at least a damage report.

I don't think you will have any trouble for insurance.

The only reason police came to the scene is I got completely hysterical on the phone. They don't like to respond to accidents with damage less than a certain amount. In the end it was more than that amount--but it really didn't matter. I was in distress and they came to help me.

Anyway--I would file immediately with insurance to get it all taken care of. I do know that in Florida--the providers have a certain window in which they must submit their claims. I kid you not--but all mine missed their deadlines. So my doctor visit, MRI (recommended by an attorney I consulted as I have had a neck injury and they said it would be wise to document if this accident caused any further damage just to prevent problems if I were ever in an accident in the future. So I have a "before" on file and an "after" on file.)--and my physical therapy were all free. But that is only b/c I gave them all of my information and they all dropped the ball.

In any case--all will be fine from a claims perspective. I'd maybe jot down all that you do remember of the accident in regards to location, what you were doing, what the driver was doing, description of her car, etc.

My accident was weird. I was driving at speed along the road coming off of a bridge and a pickup was weaving and speeding--and I was blocked in so it wasn't like I could get out of his way. He did some side to side bobble before (allegedly) deliberately hitting my vehicle..I pulled to the side and as soon as I did--he sped off.

IF I had been stopped--it woudl have been more than just me injured. My kids were all in the car.

He was never caught--but they did eventually find his truck and confiscated it.

 

[Heidict]

I'm in tampa and last year during my lunch hour I was rearended at a light at a busy intersection with a blocked shoulder from construction . There was a police station 100 ft from the accident so I turned out of the way of traffic and the guy that hit me followed me into the police station. This was a pretty dangerous intersection if we had tried to open doors etc so I thought I was doing the best thing. I was told at the station that they wouldn't file a report since we left the scene we could file our own incident report thru them, which we did. I don't get this - how could it be better to stay in a dangerous position to exch info when 100 ft away is the police station?

His insurance paid, mine had accident forgiveness but next time I will take a picture from my phone to capture tag info and then call the cops- and not move.

Hope you feel better. Maybe your FI can put pressure to have the camera's reviewed but a lot of them don't run at certain hours in our neck of the woods. Good luck!

Here in CT if you can move off the road to a safer area then they want you to. No need causing a more serious accident when it can easily be avoided.



Check you policy to see if you have medical coverage on your auto policy. In CT it is optional and I know that I don't have it. If you don't then you would have to go through your medical insurance.

Don't be surprised if you experience some temporary memory loss. I found myself doing some weird things after I was re-ended about 10 years ago.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Can you call the school she attends and ask them for her information--I know when I was in college I was backed into by a car and before I got all the way out of my car the other car took off. I went to the security office and gave them a description of the car and they had 2 listed for that make,model and color. I was able to go with security to the classes and walk with them to their vehicle to find the one that hit me---it ended up being the second guy and he confessed as soon as the guard told him why we were there.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Can you call the school she attends and ask them for her information--I know when I was in college I was backed into by a car and before I got all the way out of my car the other car took off. I went to the security office and gave them a description of the car and they had 2 listed for that make,model and color. I was able to go with security to the classes and walk with them to their vehicle to find the one that hit me---it ended up being the second guy and he confessed as soon as the guard told him why we were there.

UF is a big place and the likelihood that she was a current student is pretty slim. I know many "college age" looking kids--who are fans of the gators, but they aren't currently or have ever been a student there.

IT would be a needle in a haystack for a university with over 40,000 students (probably a lot higher than that--but it is at least that).

 

[glitterkittyy]

I don't get this. FL has signs all over saying to move out of the lanes of traffic if you are in an accident. Perhaps the problem arises if you go too far from the scene.

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

Did you file a claim with your insurance company yet? They will pick up the tab for your medical bills. Also, since it is a hit and run it is considered a comprehensive claim vs a collision so it won't affect your rates so that is good. As for the concussion, time is the best thing for you. I would not be home alone though, are you staying with someone?

Just wanted to advise you that is actually is a collision claim, not a comprehensive. It would be a not-at-fault, but in Florida you can still have insurance premiums increase for this, depending on your carrier and probably your claims history. Your regular collision deductible would apply. In some states, this might have qualified for uninsured motorist property damage coverage, but this coverage is not offered in Florida as far as I know.

As for your injury, your PIP coverage would pay first. I think it's up to 10k in FL. Then would be any UMBI or medpay coverage, but judging from your diagnosis, I'm guessing it's not going to be over the PIP limit.

Also, your car might be more damaged than you think. Bumper covers are made of plastic, and are meant to just reflex when hit. The impact bar, energy absorber, some brackets, any of these may be damaged but they're completely hidden under the bumper cover. Since she hit you with enough impact to have your head hit the steering wheel, it is a definite possibility that there is hidden damage.

Good luck. Things like that make you lose faith in people a bit.