Imagine you pull up to a stop light and stop just before the line. You go to check your mirror and the next thing you know, a speeding vehicle sideswipes you and runs the red light. Your side view mirror is left dangling and there’s a deep scrape stretching from bumper to bumper. Instances like this happen often, leaving the afflicted afraid and confused as to what to do next. Hit-and-run accidents are some of the most damaging as there is seemingly no way to track down the responsible party. Allow these tips to help guide your actions in the moments after a hit-and-run accident.
Hit-and-Run Accident Do’s
Although the driver may have driven off, you should still do your best to get certain details. Try to collect the following:
- License plate number
- The make, model, and color of the vehicle
- The direction the vehicle went after the collision
- Description of vehicular damage
You also should take pictures of the damage to your vehicle to help law enforcement identify the car bymatching dents and scratches. The time, location, and cause of the accident are also essential to record. You may feel as if you are alone after a hit-and-run accident, but there is a great chance that someone else saw the crash. If you can identify any potential witnesses, take down their contact information and call the authorities to the scene.
Hit-and-Run Accident Don’ts
The most important thing NOT to do is follow the car that hit you. You have no way of knowing if the individual is an armed criminal fleeing a crime scene or a deranged person who is unaware of his or her actions and it’s better if you don’t find out. A few other things you should avoid doing includes:
- Leaving the scene of the accident
- Waiting to call the police or
- Not reporting the accident at all
- Waiting in your car in the path of traffic for the police to come
- Unnecessarily blocking traffic
After you get the police to log an official report of the accident, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an experienced car accident attorney in your area. The Louisiana car accident attorneys at E. Orum Young Law Offices have over 35 years of experience helping injured drivers secure fair compensation, and we can do the same for you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. Our Trial Guarantee ensures that we will take your case to trial if you are ever dissatisfied with the initial results.
