After a car accident, most drivers usually pull over to the shoulder and exchange insurance with one another. We've covered what to do immediately following a normal accident, but what if the other driver runs from the scene?
First, if you've been in a hit and run, do not chase down the other driver. Breaking additional traffic laws to pursue the offender can put you in jeopardy and create additional accidents. As much fun as it might be to play police officer, leave that work to them.
Once you've pulled over, try to do the following to the best of your ability.
- Write down the license plate, and color/make/model of the other car. Even a few of the first digits will work, and you can use the Notes section of your phone. If you are able to grab a photo of the car as it runs, even better.
- Call the police with your location and a description of the car that fled.
- Once police arrive, complete an accident report.
- If there are witnesses, have police talk with them as well.
- Call your insurance company and report that you've been in a hit and run.
- Do not leave the scene until after you've spoken with police for any reason.
In many states, uninsured motorist coverage may help pay for your damages if you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, so it's good to check with them. Many normal insurance policies do not have adequate coverage for hit and run accidents, especially in the case of bodily injury. The best way to check this is to check your uninsured driver limits on your policy.
As the days go on, keep in touch with your local law enforcement to see if they've found the driver who fled the scene. If you have been injured in a hit and run driver, and police have found the culprit, not only can they face a criminal charge with prison time (depending on severity of injury and damage amounts), but it also opens the possibility for a civil suit. This can only happen if the culprit is found.
Anything you can do to help provide information to track down the driver is the first and most important step to all of this. After you insure your safety, make sure to write down any details you may remember for the police.
If you need help navigating insurance claims, or need representation against a driver who fled a hit and run, call us at 615-242-9000. You only pay if we win your case.