What to Do If a Driver Hits and Runs

Before the pedestrian, driver or bicyclist is able to perform any other activities after a hit and run, he or she must first assess the situation and determine if medical assistance is necessary. After the very first step, he or she will need to gather as much evidence as possible from the incident and attempt to discover and find who hit and ran from the accident.

The victim of a hit and run may not have the wits to check for certain items without knowing what to look for in these situations unless trained to do so beforehand. He or she may need to look for license plate numbers, contact medical assistance or the police and attempt to recover as quickly as possible. Ensuring that he or she does not suffer severe injury and is able to move on afterward is essential. However, when a claim against the driver becomes necessary to help in recovery, the victim will need to perform certain activities during and after the hit and run.

The First Contact in the Hit and Run

Before seeking a legal remedy to the incident, the pedestrian or other driver should attempt to write down or memorize the license plate number of the vehicle he or she collided with in the accident. When the person hits and runs, he or she may slow down or stop long enough for the victim to check these details. Next is the police contact. The first contact may go to medical emergency services that come with or separately from the local law enforcement officers. This may depend on the local city or circumstances of the incident. When the person suffers injury, he or she will need medical help first and then may have the mental capacity to communicate with police.

The Insurance Company

The next thing to do after the incident is to contact the insurance company in which the victim has a policy. The agency may need additional details or sufficient data about the hit and run. If the person hit does not possess the license plate or other personal information from the driver that hit him or her, he or she may need to file a claim without this until the investigation ends. The insurance adjuster may become involved to determine how to proceed with the incident. If the carrier does not provide a settlement or refuses to issue one that is reasonable, the victim may need to hire a lawyer immediately.


Statements from Witnesses

It is also important while at the scene to communicate with any witnesses that observed the incident in progress. These individuals may provide details that the victim was not aware of at the time of the collision. With their information, it is often possible to acquire the full license plate or characteristics of the driver. Their eyewitness observations could inform the person affected or police further to the point that the driver sought is part of the proceedings through identification. Then, the victim will have a name and other data for the insurance agency attached to the incident.

Actions to Avoid

The victim of a hit and run may want to seek revenge or confront the driver before he or she is able to fully get away. Leaving the scene could void any possibility of seeking justice or compensation for the incident. Confronting the driver could lead to criminal activity by the victim. Blocking traffic while waiting for the police is another action the person should avoid. If he or she is in the middle of an intersection, in the road or at a turn, he or she could cause another accident if the victim does not move over to the side or get out of the middle of the road.

The person hit from the other driver should move out of a travel lane. Seeking a safe place is important. Then, he or she could explain why he or she moved when the police arrive. Emergency services may explain to accomplish this over the phone before law enforcement is available. Fleeing the scene is one of the worst possible actions to take.