Most people do all they can to be safe when driving their car. And when accidents do happen, most drivers tend to stop, exchange information, and follow the law. But a select few bad apples will hit your car and drive away, either knowing they’re at fault or having something else to hide.
The accident itself is a jarring enough experience, even if you’re not severely injured. But having someone just drive off makes it even more difficult to deal with. So, if you’re the victim of a hit and run and aren’t seriously injured, here’s what you should do:
Call the Police
This should be your first step after making sure you and everyone else involved are OK. The other driver has committed a crime by driving off, so this immediately becomes a police matter. The sooner you call them, the sooner they can get to work finding the culprit.
Gather Important Information
You can help the police find the person who took off by gathering as much information as possible at the scene. The priority should be identifying details about the car in question: the make, model, color, and, ideally, license plate number. Try to locate any cameras in the area that can provide that information and see if there are any witnesses that can help. Perhaps one of them even saw what the driver looked like.
Involve Your Insurance Carrier
Hit and runs are not your typical car accident, especially in the area of insurance. Reach out to your insurance carrier to find out what is covered by your plan and how to handle the situation.
Find a Good Collision Shop
If your car is not totaled, you’re still likely going to need some repairs before it’s safe to bring it back out onto the road. Find a good collision shop with a reputation for quality work that can help you get it back up and running as soon as possible.
If you’re in need of collision work in Staten Island or Matawan, NJ, A&B Collision is the place to call. We offer car rental and shuttle services and take most major insurance. We’ve been in business for more than 75 years because of our excellent work and customer service. Contact us at one of our three locations today for a free estimate