What should you do after a hit-and-run accident?

Any accident is stressful. However, if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, you may wonder what options you have. 

According to New Jersey law, drivers must stop and stay at the accident scene after being involved in any type of accident. Failure to do this, for any reason, is considered a “hit and run” incident. 

While the person who leaves the scene may face fines and jail time, as the victim, knowing what to do next can be confusing. 

Contact the authorities

Even if the at-fault party leaves, you should contact the authorities to report the incident. It’s important to have a police report and let the authorities know anything you can about the vehicle that hit you. 

Take notes or photos at the scene

Just like any other accident, your memory may fade, and you may forget important aspects of the accident as time passes. Since this is the case, it’s a good idea to take notes about anything you remember and photos of any damage to your vehicle or injuries caused by the collision. The more information you can collect, the better chance you will have at finding the at-fault party and recovering compensation. 

Contact your insurer

If possible, contact your insurer while you are still at the scene. Sometimes, they will have certain photos for you to capture or other information to gather. 

Your options after a hit and run accident

Because each situation is unique, the options you have for recovery vary. You can file a lawsuit to recover compensation for damages and injuries if the driver is found. If they are uninsured and you have uninsured motorist coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurer. Regardless of the situation, it’s best to do your part to collect information after being involved in a hit-and-run accident

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