When a driver leaves an accident without providing their details it can be frustrating and difficult to know how to proceed. From vehicle damage to physical damage, you will have to deal with a different set of insurance circumstances. Hit and run accident are much more common than people think with more than one hit-and-run crash happening in the United States every minute–and roughly 1 in 10 accidents resulting in a hit and run.
If you are certain that the incident is a hit-and-run and the driver did not leave any identifying information, the next steps after being involved in a hit-and-run accident are to call the police to file a report, get yourself checked out medically at a hospital or by EMTs, and to call your insurance to file a claim.
When you are hit in a car accident, you will typically file a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver and their insurance company. However; in a hit and run accident, the other person leaves the scene of the accident and is nowhere to be found. Many people find themselves asking, can insurance help me? In short, yes.
There are several types of insurance which may help cover your vehicle repair, personal injuries, and medical expenses–including any physical therapy or rehabilitation needed to get you back on your feet and feeling better.
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Insurance Coverage
Many people forget about their own auto insurance coverage for uninsured drivers. This coverage also covers drivers who are nowhere to be found, as in the case with hit-and-run accidents.
Accidents happen regardless of how prepared you may be, and it is better to take safety precautions for your health and wellbeing–including reasonable insurance coverage. Even a small policy is better than no policy. The good news is that you are likely already covered in some way, since all auto insurance policies that insurance companies issue in Virginia must include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in at least the same minimum amounts as the driver’s liability coverage.
This type of insurance coverage is designed to repair or replace your vehicle and repair and property damage if an uninsured motorist hits you. Coverage and claims are broken down into two categories–bodily injury and property damage.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury insurance can be used to help pay for any medical bills, rehabilitation treatment, and lost wages if you are injured in a hit and run or by a driver without insurance.
PIP & Medical Payments Coverage
Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance covers medical expenses when you or your passengers are injured in a car accident, including hospital stays, surgery, doctor visits, rehabilitation treatment, and even lost wages. PIP policy limits are usually lower than the coverage offered by uninsured motorist insurance.
Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance is optional in most states in the U.S.; however, 16 states do require drivers to carry a minimum amount of PIP coverage. Although the state of Virginia does not require a minimum Personal Injury Protection (PIP), there are certainly benefits to having this type of coverage.
Medical payments coverage, also referred to as MedPay, covers medical expenses for injuries you or your passengers sustain in an accident, regardless of fault, and is available in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
PIP or Medical Payments Coverage can be used if the other driver is refusing to accept liability or you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Both insurance coverage types can be purchased with your auto insurance, though coverage amounts vary, so call your auto insurance to verify the amount.
What If I’m Not Covered?
If you do not have MedPay, Personal injury protection (PIP), or uninsured motorist coverage from your auto insurance or the coverage amount is not enough for your expenses and the liable party does not provide their auto insurance information, as in the case with a hit-and-run, you can use your health insurance for payment when you seek treatment.
Depending on your health insurance, the only out of pocket expense will be any copays or deductibles. Unlike other forms of insurance coverage, there is no time limit to seek treatment while using your health insurance.
When To Seek Treatment
After being involved in a motor vehicle accident, the body often goes into shock and it is difficult to determine which injuries you may be experiencing. Although symptoms may not immediately present themselves, it’s important to get checked out as soon as possible to prevent any conditions or injuries from becoming more serious.
Have EMTs ensure you are alright at the scene of a hit-and-run and visit a hospital to determine the full extent of your personal injuries. Car accidents can cause numerous injuries and 2.35 million people are injured or disabled in the U.S. annually.
After being in a car or automobile accident, it’s common to experience injuries–many of which can negatively affect your health if not treated. Several symptoms of car accident injuries, such as soreness, whiplash, and back pain, can lead to more serious conditions and complications if left untreated. Symptoms of car accidents, particularly musculoskeletal injuries including whiplash, often show symptoms days or even weeks after your car crash. Therefore, it is crucial to make an appointment immediately and seek treatment for symptoms of car accident injuries, even if you don’t think your injuries are serious.
Personal Injury Insurance Coverage
Many chiropractic care centers, physical therapy treatments, and other medical and rehabilitation centers accept most widely available insurance plans. In the interest of serving as many patients as possible, RxWellness welcomes a variety of insurance plans. We want to make your care as affordable as possible and always do our best to work with your insurance company to ensure that you can get the chiropractic care you need.
At RxWellness, we believe that everyone should have access to quality chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, and wellness care. Our office participates in the majority of insurance programs; however, please contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding whether your particular insurer will pay for treatment, and a member of our team will be more than happy to respond to your questions.