What Should I Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

According to AAA, there’s a hit-and-run crash every 43 seconds in the United States. While being a proactive driver remains the best defense against these traumatic road events, knowing how to react when one occurs can minimize both physical and financial harm.

Fleeing the Scene of a Crash Is Against the Law

Fleeing an accident scene is illegal in all states. Ohio law not only prohibits running but also requires the at-fault vehicle owner to report the incident to police at the scene. If the accident takes a life, the runner can face stiff charges.

Despite the potential penalties, however, hit-and-run crashes happen frequently on U.S. roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that hit-and-run collisions accounted for 17% of all crashes in the U.S. in 2020. Data from the same year also revealed that fatalities from hit-and-run crashes increased by 26%.

7 Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident

If you’re involved in a hit-and-run, what you do in the moments following the crash will be crucial to preserving your safety and property, as well as the evidence you and your car accident attorney will need to build a claim for compensation. The following seven steps are the most critical:

1. Evaluate Your Situation

Did you or your passengers sustain injuries? Were there any fatalities? If the answer to either question is “yes,” call 911. The dispatcher will provide vital instructions and send paramedics to the scene. It’s imperative to seek prompt medical attention even if you don’t think your injuries are serious.

2. Move Your Vehicle Out of the Road

If your vehicle is driveable, move it off of the road to safety. If not, alert other drivers to the crash using hazard lights, flares, or warning triangles.

3. Call the Police

Summon law enforcement personnel will allow them to begin investigating the accident while key evidence and witnesses are still on the scene. The official police report the responding officer creates will also be vital to your insurance claim.

4. Take Notes

Record as many details as you can about the other vehicle, including the tag number, make and model, color and other distinguishing features, and visible damage. Also, note the date, time, and circumstances surrounding the crash.

5. Gather Photographic Evidence

Take photos or videos of the scene and any damage to your vehicle. If there are surveillance cameras in the area, ask the owner for footage of the crash. Police identify many runners this way.

6. Collect Witness Information

Jot down the names and phone numbers of any witnesses at the scene, whether other drivers who pulled over to assist, passing pedestrians, or employees of nearby businesses. Ask each person if they’d be willing to provide a statement to law enforcement.

7. Consult a Car Accident Lawyer

Hit-and-run cases can be complex. A qualified car accident attorney will understand the unique nuances of hit-and-run crashes, such as the applicable laws and the statute of limitations for filing a claim. They’ll also be able to negotiate with the insurance companies to maximize your eligible compensation.

Prepare for the Unexpected

No one expects a hit-and-run to happen to them. However, taking the proper steps to prepare for this type of traffic crash could prove essential to your well-being and ability to recover damages with the help of a car accident lawyer.