One of the most frustrating types of car accident is the hit-and-run. Even if a hit-and-run is otherwise just a fender-bender, watching the other driver leave scene of the accident is nothing short of infuriating.
However, dealing with the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident is not very different from dealing with a regular accident. As per State Farm, make sure that you stay at the scene of the crime yourself and talk to any eyewitnesses who saw the accident.
The wisdom of staying put
If you want to give chase after the other driver, this is a natural impulse. However, it is also not a good idea. If both cars speed away from the scene of the accident, this can confuse eyewitnesses. It is more difficult to ascertain who is at fault in the hit-and-run if both parties involved in the “hit” are also involved in the “run.”
You should move your car out of the path of traffic if it is in an inconvenient spot. Beyond this, make sure to call 911 if anybody at the scene has sustained an injury. Otherwise, call the non-emergency police number to make a police report regarding the accident.
Reaching out to eyewitnesses
Witnesses are extremely important in a hit-and-run incident. Since most people have smartphones these days, it is possible that a savvy eyewitness realized that a hit-and-run was happening and reached for his or her phone.
It is not uncommon for eyewitnesses to take photo or video evidence of hit-and-run accidents. If the eyewitnesses has a photo or video of the culprit or the culprit’s car, it is possible this will help the police locate the other driver.
