Any kind of automobile accident is a nuisance, no matter how minor it is. However, even the mildest fender-bender can turn into a nightmare if the other vehicle involved in the accident drives off from the scene of the crash without warning.
The good news is that dealing with hit-and-run accidents has a lot in common with managing “regular” accidents. According to State Farm Insurance, it is vital that you stay put and try to talk with any witnesses to the accident.
Why should I not track down the culprit?
Driving off after the culprit may seem like the natural action to take, but this will only make the situation worse. It will confuse any witnesses to the accident if they see a crash occur and then both cars go speeding away from the scene.
Instead, pull your car out of traffic if it is necessary. If anybody has sustained an injury due to the accident, call 911 for medical attention. If this is not necessary, call the police non-emergency number to file a police report. This will help you with your insurance later on.
How can witnesses help?
Most people carry smartphones around with them. It is possible that a witness got photo or video evidence of the culprit as he or she fled the scene of the accident. It is also possible that a witness has the license plate number of the culprit, even if there is no video evidence. If this is the case, it will help the police locate the culprit. This will make managing the aftermath of your hit-and-run accident much easier.