No one expects to witness an accident, but a first-hand, objective account of the situation can make or break a victim’s legal case against the responsible party. While we never expect to be in this situation, you never know when you could be a key witness to an incident.
Hit-and-run accidents can be especially devastating because the victim has little or no information about the perpetrator. A witness can make or break a victim’s ability to seek justice and hold those responsible for the car accident accountable.
If you witness a hit-and-run accident, there are several things you can do to help. It is not only the right thing to do, but your actions can help make the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident less stressful and safer for everyone involved.
Maintain Your Composure
It can be disconcerting to witness an accident as it occurs. It can take some time to process what is going on or to realize you are witnessing a car accident.
If an accident occurs in your vicinity, take a deep breath and try to focus on what is happening rather than how you feel. This will assist you in gathering facts and absorbing as much information as possible. If you allow your emotions to take over, you may overlook details that will be important later.
It is not only upsetting to witness the accident, but it is also upsetting to watch the perpetrator drive away. Maintaining your cool is critical at this point, as you may be the only person who knows what happened aside from the person responsible.
Record the Vehicle and License Plate Number
Because most of us never leave the house without our phones, there’s a good chance you have a recording device in your pocket or in the palm of your hand. As soon as you see a car accident, grab your phone and begin recording as soon as possible. Of course, if you are driving and witness the accident, make sure to pull over and stop before using any type of recording device.
By photographing or filming the accident scene, you may be able to capture vital information that will aid in identifying the offender and determining the extent of their fault in the car accident.
Other important details to gather include:
- The person’s license plate number
- The make and model of their car
- Whether they were alone or had any passengers
- What the driver looked like or any helpful identifying characteristics
- If their car sustained any damage in the car accident
Using your phone to record these details is also advantageous because the photos or videos will include a timestamp indicating when the car accident occurred. If you have the ability to record a video, narrating what you’ve seen, what happened just before the accident or anything else that wasn’t in the shot can be useful later on. Having a transcript of what was going through your mind at the time means you won’t have to rely on memory alone later on when telling the police, the victim, or their insurance company about the accident.
Maintain a Safe Distance From the Accident Scene
Avoid getting too close to an accident scene for your own safety. The vehicle that was hit could have had broken glass or other dangerous debris, leaked fuel or fluids, or even caught fire. Never jeopardize your safety to assist or gather evidence.
Call Emergency Services and Determine if Anyone Needs Medical Attention
Even if an auto accident is minor, it is always a good idea to call 911. First responders are the most important professionals to have on the scene because they can treat any injuries, put out fires, and start an investigation.
If you can safely get close enough to the accident scene to see or speak to any victims, try to determine whether or not they will require medical attention. If you can relay this information to the emergency dispatcher, they will be able to determine the appropriate response to the incident.
If anyone is injured and you are comfortable doing so, you can provide first aid until emergency services arrive. Depending on the injury, the dispatcher can walk you through what to look for and what to do.
Help File a Police Report and Provide a Witness Statement
When the cops arrive, they will want to speak with every witness. Give the police the most accurate account of what you saw and any recordings you were able to obtain. They will most likely want your contact information, so don’t be surprised if they contact you days, weeks, or months later.
Cooperate With the Local Police Department and Victim’s Insurance Company
If the police do contact you, be as cooperative as possible. It may become difficult to recall details as time passes, but just be honest and provide what information you can. The same is true if the victim’s insurance company (or the offender’s insurance company) contacts you.
Leave a Note
Some of these tips may not apply if you witness a hit-and-run accident in which a person hits a parked car and then drives away. You should still try to gather as much information about the driver as possible and report the incident to the police, but leaving a note for the owner of the vehicle is also extremely helpful.
Write down as much information as you can remember, as well as your contact information, and secure it beneath the windshield of the individual’s vehicle. Take a photo of both the note and the car for your own records. When the driver realizes their car has been hit, they will be relieved to know that someone witnessed the incident and may be able to help hold the person responsible for any damages.
What Else to Keep in Mind
Your legal duty
State laws vary, but just because you witness a hit-and-run doesn’t mean you have to do anything about it. It’s always a good idea to know the law in your area, but witnesses aren’t always required to report a collision to anyone if they don’t want to get involved.
You could be subpoenaed to appear in court
It may sound intimidating, but it is a common practice, particularly in personal injury or civil cases where one or more witnesses witnessed what occurred. Keep in mind that this is a legal order, not a request, that you appear in court as a witness in the case. If you disregard it, you may be found in contempt of court, which may result in a fine or even jail time.
Do not pursue the other driver
It is never a good idea to try to track down or catch the other vehicle if the driver flees the scene of an accident. This puts you or others at risk of causing another crash, property damage, or injuries to yourself or others.
If You’re the Victim of a Hit-and-Run Accident
Whether you were in your vehicle when it was hit or discovered later, you’ll almost certainly want to hold the other driver accountable. The best way to do this is to start working with a lawyer as soon as possible after the incident.
This is true regardless of whether you were injured in the accident. In either case, you should try to hold the other parties responsible for any financial or other damages.
Look no further than Gregory Spektor & Associates if you’re unsure where to begin. We are experts at winning cases for victims of any type of auto accident. We would be delighted to discuss your case and assist you in any way we can. Contact us today to begin the process of seeking justice in your hit-and-run case.
