What You Should Do in a Hit and Run Accident

For drivers, a hit and run accident can be one of the most frustrating experiences. For pedestrians, it can be their worst nightmare. In Ontario, hit and run accidents are not taken lightly as they can lead to serious penalties for those who get involved.

No one wants to be involved in an accident so when they do, they panic and drive away before anyone sees them. This is what a hit and run driver goes through when he or she leaves you behind. If you are a victim of a hit and run, getting the right information can be a complex process before you can make an accident benefits claim.

Hit and Run

A hit and run happens when a driver fails to remain in a collision with another vehicle or person. Any driver who gets in an accident is required by law to stay at the scene of the accident. They should also provide as much as assistance as they can provide as well as any necessary information both to the authorities and the victims. If the damage is more than $1000, they should also report the accident to the police. Any driver who fails to stay at the scene of the accident is considered to be breaking the law, committing a hit and run.

Failure to remain is the official term for a hit and run and this, of course, is punishable by law accompanied by serious consequences, most especially when the victim or victims sustain serious, impairing injuries.

What to Do

Following a hit and run, it can be a bit difficult to focus on the more important matters, but you should do your best to compose yourself. The first thing to do is to try and get their license plate number. Some drivers tend to drive away too fast or in some cases, they hit your car while it was parked, making it impossible for you to see them. The same thing happens when you are crossing the street – you might get hit from angles wherein you could not have seen the vehicle at all.

If there are other people around, ask if they happened to see the license plate or other distinguishing characteristics that might be of help. It is also helpful to jot down names and phone numbers of your witnesses, regardless of whether they caught the license plate or not.

The good news is many major cross walks, parking lots and buildings have security cameras nowadays. So if you are a victim of a hit and run and you are within these areas, have the cameras checked. They can help you figure out which vehicle hit you or your car.

Make sure you hire the right professionals when you or someone you love becomes a victim of a hit and run. Give us a call today at 1.855.905.9222 to get the rightful compensation you deserve.