Gathering
as much information as possible at the scene is key to a positive resolution.
If you’ve been a driver for at least a few years,
it’s likely that you’ve experienced minor dings or scratches from unknown
drivers. While we grit our teeth at these small annoyances, what should you do
if another driver hits your vehicle and speeds off?
If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident, it’s
important to remain calm and gather as much information as possible for both
your insurance company and the police. Thorough documentation will speed up the
claims process and help you get your car repaired as quickly as possible. Here
are some tips and best practices for handling a hit-and-run accident so you can
be prepared if this unfortunate event happens to you.
Check
for injuries: For any type of accident, it’s most
important to make sure you and any passengers are okay. Call an ambulance if
necessary and document any injuries sustained at the time of the hit-and-run accident.
Stay
at the scene: Do not chase after the other driver
hoping to catch them. This could result in further damage to yourself or
others. Leaving the scene will also eliminate your ability to collect
eyewitness accounts, an important part of documentation for both the police and
your insurance carrier.
Document
what you know about the other driver: It’s important to write
down as much information about the other driver, their car and the accident as
possible. Useful information about the driver includes their car’s license
plate number, the make, model and colour of their vehicle, a description of the
damage to their car, and the direction in which they were heading.
Describe
the accident: Take photos of the damage to your
vehicle, and note the location, time and cause of the accident.
Collect
eyewitness testimony: See if any bystanders can supply
additional information about the hit-and-run accident. If possible, have them
give you or the police an official statement describing the event. Make sure to
gather their names and contact information. An eyewitness account is especially
useful if you were not with your vehicle when the accident occurred.
File
a police report: Even if the police do not show up to the
scene of the accident, it is important to file a police report. The official
accident report will help police search for the responsible driver, and will be
invaluable to you during the claims process.
Contact
your insurance broker: Call your insurance broker or carrier
as soon as possible to file an accident claim. Provide them with all the
documentation that you have gathered about the accident, as well as the number
of the police report. The more information you can provide, the more efficient
the claims process will be.
Remaining calm and following these tips will
hopefully make a bad situation a little more bearable. Contact a HUB International personal insurance agent today for more information.