What To Do If You Witness A Hit-And-Run Accident
Nearly 1.2 million people are killed in car accidents globally each year. Between 2009 and 2015, a fifth of the Bermudian population were admitted to hospital with crash-related injuries. With hit-and-run accidents becoming more common, it’s important to know what to do if you find yourself in this situation, so read on to find out more.
Stop somewhere safe
If you are driving and witness a hit-and-run, find somewhere safe to stop. You should not block other cars, perform any dangerous manoeuvres, or wait in your car. If you are a pedestrian who witnesses a hit-and-run, it is easier to stop safely, but you should still be mindful of the road.
Never try to follow the runaway driver. If possible, try and help any cars involved move to a safe space, out of the flow of traffic, but not too far from the scene of the accident – it is a legal requirement to stay there.
Look for a number plate
In the heat of the moment, it’s difficult to notice small details. The most useful piece of information when locating the perpetrator of a hit-and-run is their car registration plate. Remembering the whole thing may be difficult, but any part of the number plate that you can share as evidence is helpful. If you are unable to spot this on time, the make, colour and model of the car are also key information, along with the direction it is traveling.
Call emergency services
If someone is hurt, immediately call an ambulance. Priority should be given to tending injuries, but do not attempt to treat someone if you are not trained in first aid. If nobody is hurt, you should call the police straight away. When they attend, they may ask you to give a witness statement.
Write everything down
As a witness, you may be called on to give evidence in court. The more that you can remember, the better your testimony. Write down any details about the perpetrator, the location and time of the incident. Even if you remember more details after your statement, you can still report them, either to the police or to a charity like Crime Stoppers. Keep an eye out for other potential witnesses and save any dashcam footage, as these may also help the case.
Contact insurance companies
If your car was damaged in the accident, you need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible to explain the situation. Give them as many details as possible, including the crime reference number from the police. If it was not your car in the accident, remind the owner of any cars involved to contact their insurance providers.
Report crime anonymously
There are many reasons why you may wish to conceal your identity when reporting a crime to the police. Crime Stoppers Bermuda allows your information to be used to help solve crimes without including your personal details.
Use our online form or call 800-8477 to report a crime.
