Imagine that you are driving down the road when you approach an intersection. It’s your turn to go through, so you do — when all of a sudden another vehicle comes out of nowhere and t-bones you. That vehicle somehow is still functioning, and it drives off. You are left at the intersection with minor injuries and a ruined vehicle. What do you do?
Hit and run accidents are terrible, and they cause a lot of anger, anguish, and grief. You may feel compelled to try to chase the down the driver that hit and fled the scene. However, even if your car still works after such a wreck, you shouldn’t do this. You will likely be disoriented and upset, making another accident more likely. Even if you caught the person, that individual may not be in the most forgiving of moods.
Instead, after a hit and run accident, you should remain calm. Do the little things that could help you earn the justice you deserve later. For example, you should take photos of the accident scene. If you remember any information about the vehicle that struck — make, color, license plate information, anything — you should write it down so you don’t forget. Also, mark down the time and location of the accident, and make note of any witnesses who saw the wreck.
All of this information will help you when you file a claim with your insurance and when you file a police report about the criminal act the other driver committed.
Source: DMV, “Tips For Handling A Hit And Run Driver Claim,” Accessed Nov. 26, 2014