A hit and run is what?
The term “hit and run” describes an auto accident in which a car impacts a person, an object, or another car. The motorist then leaves the scene without giving their identity.
State-by-state laws on hit-and-run differ, but generally speaking, it is illegal for a driver of a car to willfully avoid giving the injured party, a witness, or law enforcement officials his or her identity, licence number, or other information after colliding with another car, object, or person.
It may be sufficient to leave the information attached to the damaged property if a vehicle has impacted property and no other people are present, provided that the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident files a police report.
Here are some instances of hit-and-run incidents:
- A motorist ran over some pedestrians in the crosswalk before swerving off quickly.
- Unattended parked car damaged by a driver who didn’t provide contact information or a way to file a claim for damages
How to Proceed Following a Hit-and-Run Accident
The top priority if you are a hit-and-run victim is to get medical assistance. If you can, call the police for assistance. If not, ask nearby drivers or pedestrians for assistance. If your wounds are not severe, it’s crucial to keep your composure and try to gather as much proof as you can given the circumstances of the incident. More information facilitates the decision-making process for your auto insurance carrier and improves the chances that the police will apprehend the driver who hit you.
Make an effort to learn the car’s make, model, and licence plate number. Then scan the area and speak with any witnesses. They might have seen more information on the vehicle or be able to fill in any gaps in the driver’s profile.
Take pictures and videos of the scene with your phone to record it. Make sure to photograph your automobile from several perspectives, especially if the other car’s paint is still visible. (This will support the claim that you are not trying to deceive your insurance provider.)
If the hit-and-run happened while your car was parked, you should also record as much information as you can, including the moment you noticed the damage, where the car was, and the specifics of the damage.
Even while it could be tempting to pursue the other automobile on foot or with a vehicle, doing so might be detrimental rather than beneficial. With careless driving, you run the risk of further hurting not just yourself but also other cars.
The best course of action is to call the police and file an accident report with the information you have obtained, as well as the names and phone numbers of any witnesses you were able to locate. An official police record can be very helpful in processing your auto claim, even if the authorities are unable to locate the driver.
Call your auto insurance provider. In terms of auto insurance, hit-and-run collisions are typically the only collisions for which you are not at fault and must pay your collision deductible. You will be obliged to pay the deductible because your auto policy does not include any other coverage that will protect you in the event of a hit-and-run. You won’t have insurance benefits to pay your damage if you don’t have this extra policy.