Skkrrch… crash! That’s what the sound of a car wreck looks like written out. Car wrecks are bad. What makes them worse is when the other driver flees the scene of the accident. Whether you were T-boned, rear-ended, or fender bended, it’s never a fun sight when you are involved in a CA hint and run and the culprit speeds off leaving you stuck on the side of the road.

So, what do you do after a hit and run?

Your blood could be boiling, but that doesn’t mean your brain has to. Remain calm and follow our guide. Leave it to the best online traffic school CA has to offer to provide you with the information needed to turn a hit and run into a hit and file a police report. Below is what you should do when you’ve been involved in a CA hit and run.

Pull over on the side of the road

Seeing the culprit speed off is not a good feeling. But despite the rage building in your gut, chasing after them is impulsive and dangerous. The last thing you want to do is enter a high-speed car chase in a damaged vehicle. Any situation you find yourself driving recklessly is never a good situation. Even if it is chasing down the person who just bent your back bumper. Prioritize safety over all.

Pulling off on the side of the road will give you the chance to assess the damage done on your car. Additionally, you will be able to remove all obstruction from the road. Being cooperative is the best way to offset a vicious hit and run.

Call the police and stay at the scene

The next step is to call the police. After you have assessed the situation, call the police to begin your police report. This will also help you track down the driver who struck your car by providing any information you may have gotten from the collision. Any police officers will help you collect all the information you need to provide proof of the accident to your insurance company. Such as a report, photos, and testimonials.

Find witnesses who saw the incident

If the accident happened in a public location, try and find a witness who will speak on your behalf. Witnesses can also help you identify the vehicle that hit your car. This will help with providing an accurate report of the accident when the police arrive. That kind Samaritan might also help you pick up your fender!

Keep a notepad and pen on you

It is imperative to keep your story straight and accurate. When it comes to dealing with law enforcement, and perhaps even the court system, your credibility to a judge and/or jury will depend heavily on your consistent ability to provide information and accurately recall the events that took place. Don’t shy away from taking details that might seem unimportant to the actual hit and run, like where you were headed, where you were coming from, traffic conditions, etc. Demonstrating a solid memory of the event will only help your case.

Make sure you’re insured and covered

In California, it is illegal to drive a vehicle without financial responsibility (typically auto insurance). While it might not affect the hit and run case, it will definitely get you into trouble, not only with the law, but financially speaking, as you might end up personally liable for damages.