5 Tips For Finding A Hit And Run Driver That Fled The Scene Of Your Car Accident

The idea of getting compensation after a car accident is what motivates many victims to recover and pursue a better future. However, you can't start a lawsuit against a negligent driver if they fled the scene of the crime and you don't have their information. If you're dealing with a hit and run and hoping to find the perpetrator, these tips may help you determine their identity.

Request Surveillance Footage

Start by requesting as much surveillance footage from around the accident scene as you can find. Private businesses with cameras in their parking lots are a great source of video evidence, even if they barely captured the accident itself. It only takes one small shot of a quarter panel or the rear of the car to help you identify the vehicle and then the driver. Don't just look for private surveillance footage either. Talk to local traffic safety officers about public traffic cameras, even if they're a mile or two away from the scene. As long as the car traveled past one heading towards the accident site, you may be able to find footage to identify the car. Dash cams from other drivers are another potential source of material, but they're harder to track down.

Contact Witnesses

Witnesses are the primary source of evidence in most hit and run cases, especially when the driver is incapacitated or distracted immediately after the accident. Most states only require a witness to stay on the scene for around 30 minutes, so gather contact information from all witnesses even if they're making police statements. You may be able to contact them later to piece together more information on who hit you and where they headed after departing from the scene.

Check for Physical Evidence

Finally, check the accident scene thoroughly before it is cleared away and inspect your own damaged vehicle. A stripe of paint color or a broken mirror from the other car can help tremendously in narrowing down the potential suspects. If you suspect you already know who hit you, you'll still need some kind of evidence to back up your claim. Physical evidence gathered from the scene or the damaged car is often what makes or breaks a case in which there are few witnesses and no video evidence. Keep track of any paint chips, bits of glass, or other evidence you gather even years after the accident in case it's useful in identifying the hit and run driver.

For more information, contact companies like Hoffman, Larin & Agnetti.

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