Hit and run accidents are much more common than you may think. The textbook definition of a hit and run accident not only covers pedestrians who are hit and left by a driver; it also includes vehicles and even property that have been involved in a collision where the guilty party drove away without providing a name, contact information or license number.
Regardless of either personal or property damage, hit and run accidents are stressful, and it can be difficult to know exactly what to do in the moments and days following a hit and run. Here are a few do’s and don’ts that can help you handle the situation.
DO:
- Write down the driver’s plate number if possible. If not, take note of other features like the vehicle’s color, make, model and the year you think it was made.
- Pay attention to the direction the vehicle is heading and take note, if possible, of any damage the other vehicle may have sustained in the accident.
- ALWAYS call the police. Even if the incident appears minor and property damage is minimal, it is standard procedure for police to gather important information about the scene and investigate. This is especially true for hit and run accidents.
- Ask any witnesses if they have additional information about the hit and run vehicle.
- Take pictures of the personal or property damage suffered and of the scene of the accident.
- Call your insurance company to report the accident as soon as possible.
DON’T:
- Do not try to follow the driver at fault. Instead, gather as much visual information for the police as possible.
- Do not move any evidence of the accident until after police have arrived and assessed the scene.
- Do not wait to file an accident report with the police or an insurance claim with your provider.
Being a victim of a hit and run accident is stressful, but seeking legal counsel should not be. Feel free to contact one of the expert Tampa auto accident attorneys at Lorenzo & Lorenzo for guidance or help filing your claim.