What do I do after a hit-and-run?

No matter how minor the fender-bender is, it is a nuisance. However, even the most minor fender-bender can turn into a complete nightmare if the other person involved in the accident decides to flee the scene. Now, what was originally an insurance snafu has turned into a criminal case.

Fortunately, dealing with hit-and-run accidents is not terribly different from the run-of-the-mill variety. According to State Farm Insurance, you should stay at the accident scene yourself and make sure to interview any witnesses to the accident.

Stay where you are

When you are watching the culprit speed away from the scene of the accident, your first instinct may be to give chase. However, you absolutely should not do this. Fleeing the scene of the accident after a hit-and-run is only going to confuse witnesses.

Instead, you should follow standard protocol. Move your car out of the flow of traffic if you can, and call 911 if anybody present at the scene has sustained an injury. If nobody requires urgent medical attention, call the non-emergency police number to file a police report. This will make working with your insurance later on much easier.

Reach out to witnesses

Witnesses are even more important in a hit-and-run accident as compared to the regular variety. This is because it is possible that a witness with a smartphone realized what was happening and decided to take video or photo footage of the event. If a witness has video or photo evidence of the culprit, this can make it much easier for the police to track the culprit down.