If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, it can be very scary as well as frustrating. There are several types of hit-and-run accidents. For example, another car might hit your car on the road, might hit your car in a parking lot, or might hit a pedestrian or cyclist. People choose to leave the scene of an accident for many reasons, but it’s usually to avoid getting in trouble. A hit and run is a serious offense, though, and they could serve jail time. If you’re the victim of an accident, seek medical care first, then call the police. Document the damage and seek out witnesses. But whatever you do, not chase the person who hit you. Being the victim of a hit and run is scary, and staying safe is the most important thing to do.
Hit-and-Run Accident: What to Do If You are the Victim
Get Medical Care
The first thing to do if you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident is to get medical care for any injuries. If you feel like you have back or spine injuries, do not try to get out of the vehicle unless you are in danger. If your vehicle is blocking traffic or presenting a danger, try to move it to the side of the road safely. Otherwise, leave your vehicle as-is for the police.
Call the Police
The next thing to do is to notify the police if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident. A hit-and-run is a serious crime that can even carry jail time. The police will do everything they can to find out who hit you and hold them responsible. They’ll likely speak with witnesses and ask you to describe in detail what happened.
Document the Damage
After you contact the police, you need to
document the damage of a hit and run. Take pictures of everything at the scene, and include close-ups of any damage to your car. Take photos of the surroundings and any tire marks as well. If there are witnesses, try to get them to wait until the police arrive so they can give their statements.
Do Not Chase
The absolute most important thing to remember if you are the victim of a hit and run is not to try to chase the person who hit you. You could wind up getting hurt or
driving recklessly. You don’t want to land yourself in trouble too. Let the police do their job and find out who the other driver was. You also need to stay at the scene of the accident to gather witnesses and document the damage for your insurance.
Being the victim of a hit-and-run is a traumatic experience to go through. However, the most important thing is to make sure that you are safe. Call the police immediately if a car hits you and drives you away. If you have any injuries, call for emergency services, and do not try to move. Stay at the scene of the crime to speak with police, document any damage to your vehicle, and speak to witnesses. And most importantly, do not leave the scene to chase down the person who hit you. This can put your safety at risk. People should never hit another person or car and then flee the scene, but unfortunately, it does happen. Hopefully, you won’t ever be the victim of this kind of accident, but you’ll know what to do just in case.
