Most people know what to do after a car accident or collision – stay at the scene, exchange information with the other party involved, and contact the proper authorities. Unfortunately, what to do after a hit and run accident is more complicated and less known. The majority of Pennsylvanians don’t anticipate getting into a car crash at all, much less a hit and run. Preparing for the possibility can give you confidence and hope if this worst-case scenario ever happens to you.
Don’t Chase After the Vehicle
It may be tempting to chase the vehicle that hit your parked car and sped off without a word, but you must resist the urge. Following the driver can result in a worse accident, reckless driving charges, or a dangerous altercation fueled by road rage and retaliation. Instead of chasing the vehicle and risking your life, remain at the scene of the accident and stay calm. That way, you stay on the right side of the law and can possibly obtain compensation for your property and/or personal damages through the insurance company.
Record as Much Information as Possible
As soon as the driver speeds off, intentionally leaving you and/or your property damaged without leaving contact information, record as many facts about the accident as you can. In an ideal situation, write down the driver’s license plate numbers. If this isn’t possible, jot down the vehicle model and color. If you happen to see the driver, record as much as you can remember about his or her physical characteristics and attributes.
Collect the contact information of any eyewitnesses at the scene of the crash, and write down the names of any nearby businesses that may have security footage. If you were away from your car at the time of the hit and run, footage may exist somewhere that shows the defendant’s vehicle. The more information you can gather after a hit and run, the higher your chances are of police catching the culprit.
Obtaining information not only strengthens the possibility of an arrest, but it also helps with insurance claims. The clearer the picture the insurance company has of the crash, the better your chances will be of obtaining compensation. Information will also help prove that you aren’t committing insurance fraud. Many drivers will make a fake insurance claim to repair dents and scratches on their cars that they created. Documenting your hit and run with photographs, eyewitness information, and details about the other driver can prove to the insurance company that your claim is legitimate.
File a Police Report and Call Your Insurance Company
Just like after any other type of car accident, file a police report promptly. Call the police and tell them all the information you can about the accident and the other driver. Even if the police can’t find the driver who hit you, the police report can still speed up the claims process. Next, call your insurance company to report the accident. If you added uninsured motorist coverage to your insurance policy, it would likely cover hit and run accidents. In these cases, the company will pay for your medical expenses and vehicle repairs.
If you don’t have this coverage, you can still file a claim with your insurance company. You can also pursue a personal injury claim against the other driver if the police find him or her. A personal injury claim can result in more compensation than just a car insurance claim. Hit and run accidents can leave a victim with traumatic and devastating injuries and a loss as to what to do or who to pursue. Knowing how to respond to a hit and run as an injury victim is the only way to have peace of mind and assurance if you undergo this trauma.