But if the accident was a fender bender devoid of serious injuries, you will want to take some immediate steps to make sure you can later recoup the losses from vehicle repairs.

Whatever you do, don’t give in to the urge to follow the fleeing driver. For one thing, speeding down the street like a cop is dangerous if you don’t have sirens and the know-how to navigate traffic. You could also lose out on gathering eyewitness testimony, and the police might later question whether or not you were somehow at fault.

Do make sure you attempt to get as much information about the vehicle as possible. Though it may be unlikely, if you can snap a picture of the license plate, you’re in good shape. At least try to gather other particulars like the vehicle’s make, model, and color. Take photos of the damage to your vehicle, and try to recall what damage was done to the other driver. Take note of what direction they sped off into.

Next, you will want to gather information from witnesses. In most states, it is actually illegal to flee the scene of an accident, but that rule only really applies to those involved in the accident. That said, you will want to gather some information from the witnesses before they leave. Contact information will help you keep in touch, which can later prove very useful if you need their eyewitness testimony in court.

Call your local police and your insurance company right away to initiate a claim and file a police report. The police will likely need to come out to the scene to collect further details. Once they tell you it’s safe to drive away or arrangements have been made to tow your vehicle, you can do so.

If you have any questions about what to do after a hit and run, don’t hesitate to contact the personal injury lawyers at Siciliano and Associates. 

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