Nobody ever plans on being the victim of a hit-and-run car accident; unfortunately, it can happen to anybody and for a number of reasons. Perhaps the responsible driver flees because he or she was driving under the influence or didn't have insurance. Either way, there are a few important things you'll want to keep in mind in the event that you ever find yourself involved as a victim of a hit-and-run. 

DO Contact Authorities

The best thing you can do after you're involved in a hit-and-run (aside from obviously making sure you and anybody else at the accident scene is okay) is to contact your local authorities. If possible, give a description of the driver who fled the scene (type of vehicle, color of vehicle, direction of travel, and damage sustained to the vehicle are all helpful). If you're unsure, ask witnesses for information on the suspect that may be helpful to the police in making an arrest.

DON'T Chase the Driver

The last thing you should do in the event of a hit-and-run is to chase after the driver. Leaving the scene of an accident is frowned upon by most police departments--even if your reason for leaving is to chase the responsible party who fled the scene. Not to mention, you could be putting yourself in danger by trying to confront the responsible driver. Instead, remain where you are and wait for assistance to arrive.

DO Obtain a Police Report

Obtaining a police report is important, especially in the case of a hit-and-run. With a detailed police report, you will have the best chances of being able to receive compensation from your insurance company for the accident. Unfortunately, many car insurance companies will not even entertain a hit-and-run claim without a copy of a police report on file.

DON'T Assume You're Out of Luck

Last but not least, don't assume that just because the driver fled the scene, you're going to be unable to receive compensation for your accident. Even if the driver is never found or he or she is found to have been driving without insurance, there's a chance that you'll still be covered by your own insurance company. Look at your policy statement for "uninsured or underinsured motorist" coverage; if you have this, then you should still be able to receive at least some kind of compensation for your damages and medical bills related to the accident. For assistance, talk to an attorney like Law Office Of Daniel E Goodman.