Life after a hit and run accident

Being involved in a car accident is stressful; when the other driver ignores the situation and does not stop, it can make matters even worse.

Now, in addition to damages and injuries, you have little to go on to pursue the person who caused the accident.

Here’s an overview of what you should do in the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident.

Before you leave the scene

Depending on your injuries and the damage to your vehicle, it can be difficult to know what you should do next. You may feel lost between staying at the scene to file a report and trying to drive your car home to deal with the situation later.

First and foremost, you need to deal with your injuries and make the accident scene safe. You should call 911 immediately to get help with the situation. If you can, you should move your vehicle to the side of the road so others can get through.

While you are at the scene, you should talk to the responding police officer about the accident and include as many details about the other driver as you can, including the color and style of their car and the license plate, if you happened to see it. You may also want to take pictures and your own notes of what you remember from the crash.

Prevalence of hit and runs

It can be challenging to determine how often hit and runs happen since there are times when the accident goes unreported by both parties. However, research coordinated by AAA found that as many as 5.5 percent of traffic fatalities are from hit and run accidents.

If you are injured in a hit and run, it is essential to talk to a skilled professional about what you should do next in your situation.