Learn the signs of what makes an accident a hit-and-run.
Hit and Run
Car accidents are stressful enough. Add the element of a hit and run, and it can leave you feeling completely helpless. What makes an accident a hit and run? In traffic law, it’s the act of someone knowingly causing an accident and then leaving the scene without providing any information about themselves or offering assistance to others. In most jurisdictions, it’s a misdemeanor unless someone is injured. Then it can become a felony charge.
When one party to an accident flees, it’s important to stay and speak with witnesses and the police. As with any collision, you should carefully document hit-and-run accidents for your insurance company and the police. However, this can be a bit tricky, since one driver has fled the scene.
Here are some things to keep in mind in the event of a hit and run:
Do not follow the fleeing driver. Leaving the scene of an accident can put you in a difficult position: You’ll miss witness testimonies, and the police might question who is truly at fault. Furthermore, you risk being involved in another accident or putting yourself in a dangerous situation without knowing the other driver’s behavior.
Call 911 if you are in your car or if someone is injured.
Don’t wait to call the police or your insurance company to file a police report or accident claim. The official accident report will help the police search for the missing driver and will be useful when you file your accident claim.
Get as much information as possible about the driver, the car, and the accident, including:
License plate number,
Make, model, and color of the other vehicle,
Description of the damage to the other vehicle,
Which direction the other vehicle was traveling,
Photos of the damage to your vehicle, and
Location, date, time, and cause of the accident.
Ask witnesses if they can provide additional information about the accident. If they give you or the police a statement, be sure to get their names and contact information. Witness information can be especially helpful if the collision occurred when you were not in your vehicle. Learn more about handling parking lot accidents.