Pennsylvania drivers must make safety a priority any time they’re on the road. This entails knowing how to respond to a hit and run accident, which can be confusing and traumatizing for victims. To ensure you have the right information, State Farm offers the following advice.
Contact the police immediately after the hit and run, even if there are no injuries. The responding officer will create a police report, which is extremely useful when filing a claim with your insurance company. You should also talk to any witnesses on the scene to determine if they have additional information. Be sure to take down their names and phone numbers so you can reach out if the case ends up in court.
You can also compile information on your own. Make a note of the make, model, and color of the fleeing vehicle. If you have a full or partial license plate number, write down that information as well. You should also make note of the location, when the accident occurred, what the road conditions were like and any other information that could prove useful. If you’re able, take pictures of the damage to your vehicle.
Whatever you do, don’t leave the scene until law enforcement has arrived. While you may be tempted to go after the other driver, doing so can be quite dangerous. For instance, you could put the lives of other motorists in danger if you’re driving at high rates of speed. You could also get into legal trouble, as leaving the scene of an accident for any reason is not permitted. Waiting for a police officer to arrive so you can provide all the information have.
