Hit and Run is No Fun. Advice From Our Long Beach Auto Body Shop.
Getting into a fender bender is not anyone's idea of a good time. A car accident becomes more problematic if you've hit a parked car or someone's property like a mailbox or fence...the other party isn't there to exchange information with so what do you do?
Don't leave the scene of the accident without doing the following:
Try to find the owner of the property of vehicle. Maybe someone will have seen or heard the accident and might know the driver. Or they might know where the driver went. If you manage to find the driver or owner you can swap insurance details or you can both consider next steps.
Leave a note. Not only is it the responsible thing to do it's also the law. According to the California Law Vehicle Code it's illegal to leave without at least leaving your name and address along with the vehicle owner's details if the car you're driving isn't yours.
Report to police. Make sure to report the accident to the police. Not only is this also the law it will prevent you from being charged with hit and run if the police have to come and find you.
Take photos. Grab your smartphone and take photos. Get a few shots of the damage, then of the other car's license plate and VIN number (It's on the driver's side dashboard at the bottom of the windshield.) Also take a look around and see if there are any traffic or security cameras nearby. Your photos and traffic cameras help you document the damage but can also protect yourself just in case the other drivers says there's more damage than you may have caused.
Find a witness. You may need the help of a witness in the future. If you noticed anyone around when you had the accident get their details in case you need them. You never know.
Call you insurance company. Initiating a claim can help locate the other driver as well. You can always decide to cancel the claim later on and pay for your damage on your own if the other driver isn't found or doesn't report.
Hopefully you won't be on either end of a hit and run accident but if you are, give us a call. We will help guide you through the repair process whether you're paying for it yourself or if it's an insurance claim. Call us at 562-426-2639 to get started.
