What to Do After a Hit-And-Run in New Jersey

While any type of car accident can be stressful and frustrating, hit-and-run accidents cause a lot of confusion that other car accidents typically do not. The reason for this is because hit-and-run accident victims not only have injuries and property damage, but the responsible driver has fled the scene, leaving them feeling lost and confused about what to do to get the help that they need.

Here are seven steps you can take after a hit-and-run car accident to potentially catch the responsible driver as well as protect your rights:

1.     Move your vehicle to a safe area away from traffic

The first step you want to take is to move your vehicle to a safe area if you are physically able to do so. Although your first instinct may be to chase after the vehicle that fled the scene, you should instead remain at the scene and out of traffic’s way. There is usually a reason why a driver flees an accident scene, such as drinking or intoxicated driving, no license or insurance coverage, or being involved in something illegal. Therefore, by going after them, you will only cause more tension and pressure, which could anger the driver and lead to a dangerous situation.

2.     Dial 9-1-1 right away

Next, you should dial 9-1-1 as soon as possible to alert law enforcement officers about the hit-and-run crash. Let the 9-1-1 dispatcher know where the accident happened, where you are right now, and whether or not anyone involved is severely injured. The dispatcher will send a couple officers to the accident scene to assess the situation, create a police report, and speak to you and other individuals nearby who may have seen the accident. When speaking to the police, it is important that you inform them about the hit-and-run driver, what type of vehicle they were driving, and which direction they went.

3.     Document the crash

Before leaving the scene of the accident, you should consider taking photos and recording videos of your injuries, debris or markings in the roadway, and your vehicle’s damage. You should also write down everything you remember about the hit-and-run driver, such as the color and type of vehicle they were driving, their license plate number, what they looked like, and which direction they went. It may also be beneficial to write down the time of your accident, weather conditions, and street names. Documenting this information is very important because your memory will never be as fresh as it was right after the accident.

4.     Exchange information with any nearby eyewitnesses

When you get out of your vehicle at the accident scene, you should look around to see whether there are any potential eyewitnesses close by. An eyewitness can be a passenger, a bystander, another driver, a pedestrian, a construction worker, or even a business owner. However, they must have seen the accident happen and agree to provide a statement. If they agree, you should exchange contact information (phone number, address, and full name) with them. They may be able to provide important details about the hit-and-run driver or the crash that you were unaware of or did not notice.

5.     Seek medical treatment

It is critical to seek medical treatment right after your hit-and-run crash. Even if you think you only have a few minor cuts and bruises, a doctor will conduct a physical examination to rule out underlying or hidden injuries that have not surfaced yet. For example, you may have a severe and life-threatening injury that does not show any symptoms in the beginning, such as a traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, or organ damage. Therefore, seeking medical treatment not only places you on the path to recovery, but it also shows that you were injured in the hit-and-run accident and received medical attention for your injuries.

6.     Notify your insurance company

You should notify your insurance company within 24 hours of your hit-and-run accident. This call should be simple and brief as you want to avoid making any statements or saying anything that can be used against you. While uninsured motorist coverage is an option for basic insurance policies in New Jersey, there is a possibility that you have this type of coverage and do not know about it. If you do have uninsured motorist coverage, you may be able to use it to help you cover some of your losses that occurred during the hit-and-run crash.

7.     Reach out to a Cherry Hill car accident lawyer at your earliest opportunity

Lastly, you should reach out to a car accident lawyer at your earliest opportunity. A lawyer will listen to your experience, inform you of your rights, and determine the best course of action that you should take. They can also investigate the accident, help you gather convincing evidence, assist the officers with locating the hit-and-run driver, and handle all forms of communication with your insurance company. While you take the time to concentrate on your recovery, your lawyer will advocate for your rights and work endlessly to secure the best results possible for your case.

The Cherry Hill car accident attorneys at Ferrara & Gable have over five decades of experience helping clients with hit-and-run crashes. Our team knows how overwhelming and mentally exhausting these types of accidents can be, which is why we are here to lend a helping hand and ensure that hit-and-run victims do not have to handle the aftermath of these accidents alone. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation today. Our office is located in Cherry Hill, but we are proudly serving all of South Jersey.