Every driver should know that after a serious crash resulting in injuries, all parties involved should stop, exchange information and call for help, if necessary. However, this doesn’t always happen. After some accidents, drivers flee the scene, hoping that they won’t be held accountable for their role in the collision.
If this happens to you, you might feel like getting the compensation and justice you deserve is impossible. However, there are ways to track down a hit-and-run driver.
Witness statements
While you may not remember any details about the accident or the other driver, other people may be capable of filling in the gaps to get the most important information.
Witnesses could include other drivers or passengers involved in the crash, bystanders and people who may have seen the driver just before or after the accident. These people may have heard or seen something that helps you locate someone who left the scene, so it can be crucial to get the names and contact information for all potential witnesses.
Photos and videos
After an accident, victims should take pictures of their car and the other person’s care. But if you are hurt or can’t take photos before the other party leaves, you can look elsewhere for helpful images.
Witnesses may have taken photos of the crash or in the seconds surrounding the crash that captured the other driver or their vehicle.
You can also check with home or business owners nearby if they have video surveillance on their premises. Video doorbells and security cameras may have recorded the accident.
Evidence on the scene
When cars crash, they leave evidence and pieces behind. Debris like fenders or license plates can make it easier to identify the make or model of a vehicle; paint scrapes can confirm the color of the vehicle; personal belongings that may have been thrown from the car can tie an individual to the crash.
Together, these statements, images and objects can lead to identifying a person who left the scene of an accident.
And while it can seem overwhelming to try and secure all this information, especially when you need to focus on recovering from a crash, know that you do not need to do it alone. Police, an attorney and accident reconstructionists can play pivotal roles in investigating a hit-and-run crash.