Being the victim of a hit-and-run can be frightening. It only becomes more upsetting once you realize that the other driver did not stop or turn themselves in.
Luckily, this type of accident does bring serious charges for the other driver for leaving the scene. However, it may be difficult to find that person. There are steps you can take to protect yourself legally and help to get justice.
Make a report
Even though the other party did not stay at the scene, you should still make a report with law enforcement. You also need to contact your own insurance company. Taking these steps will help to begin the investigation. Discovering evidence early after an accident can really increase the chances of finding the at-fault party.
Follow the investigation
You should provide as much information as possible to aid in the investigation. Officers will want to speak with any witnesses and collect video from nearby cameras. You should do everything they ask to help with the process. Because cameras are quite prevalent these days, even in rural areas, there is a good chance someone’s camera caught something that will help your case. It is much harder now than ever before to get away with a crime like this.
You also should stay alert on social media. Pay attention to local pages. The person may try to sell their vehicle or ask about repair services for body damage. You can note any suspicious posts and send them to the detective handling your case. In some cases, you may get lucky and see the person talking about the accident on social media, so be vigilant.
Technology helps a lot when it comes to finding a hit-and-run culprit. While there is a chance your case will go unsolved, doing everything you can to help find the person is your best bet.