Is It Worth Chasing After a Hit and Run Driver?

Being the victim of a hit and run accident can make you feel scared and angry – and you may be tempted to follow after the fleeing driver. Doing so could give you some measure of short-term relief, helping you feel like you’re in pursuit of justice. It could also give you a chance to collect information on the offending driver, such as their license plate, or help you stop them from doing more damage.

But is that a good idea?

The answer is always no.

The Problem With Pursuit

There are several problems associated with pursuing a hit and run driver, including:

Risk of additional damage. The obvious variable here is the risk of additional damage. If you start chasing after the person who hit you, you could cause more damage. Attempting to drive your damaged vehicle could exacerbate it falling apart. Your high speeds and volatile emotional state could also lead you to hit other vehicles (or personal property). It’s important to keep a clear head and stop the damages before they get any worse.
Mechanical failures and other problems. Your car and the offending driver’s car may both be damaged – and far more than you realize. There’s a chance your vehicle could completely break down or become inoperable in the middle of the road, leaving you in danger and/or making the damage to your vehicle even worse.
Fleeing driver panic and risk of altercation. People make bad decisions when they’re in a heightened emotional state. Chances are, the fleeing driver is already in a panic because of the accident. If you choose to pursue them aggressively, they may become even more panicked. This can lead them to drive more erratically or dangerously, or make them more likely to engage you in an altercation. If they have a weapon in the vehicle, they may even try to confront you – which could put your life in jeopardy.
Personal liability. In a classic hit and run accident, you’ll have an opportunity to hunt down the offending driver, file a lawsuit against them, and get justice. But if you start pursuing them, you may end up being personally liable for whatever damages result from the pursuit. Police officers may have a harder time telling who was responsible for the initial accident, and you might take the blame for any accidents that resulted from the chase. In other words, you’ll be in a far worse position in terms of both liability and finance.
Abandoning eyewitness accounts. After a hit and run, you’ll have the opportunity to talk to the people around you and record their witness accounts. Eyewitness testimonies are crucial for being able to find and prosecute fleeing drivers. But if you decide to chase after the offending driver, you’ll be forfeiting those eyewitness opportunities – and potentially hurting your chances of getting justice.

What to Do Instead

So what should you do instead of pursuing the offending driver?

Get as much information as you can. First, try to get as much information as you can, given your limitations. Take a photo or video of the offending driver and their car, including their license plate, or commit the license plate number to memory. If you’re not in a position to do that, try to remember as many details as possible. What kind of car was it? What was the color? In what direction was it headed? Was there any damage to it?
Get to safety and call for help. Get to safety as quickly as possible to prevent more damage and destruction. When you’re safe, call emergency services (especially if your or someone else is hurt and in need of medical attention).
Talk to witnesses. If you have the opportunity to do so safely, try to locate witnesses and get their testimony. Did they see the accident happen? Did they see the car and/or the driver?
File a police report. Police reports are essential documents that serve to officially document the accident. That’s why it’s so important to call the police and file and official report, even if the other driver is long gone. Be sure to call the police and tell the responding officer as much as possible.
Talk to a lawyer. Finally, talk to a lawyer. Most car accident and personal injury lawyers give initial consultations for free to evaluate your case. They may be able to help you get justice and compensation.

During and immediately after a hit and run accident, you won’t have time to read articles like this on the internet. That’s why it’s important to be as prepared as possible – before one happens to you. If you’re ever the victim of a hit and run accident, do your best to remain calm, think through the situation carefully, and proceed with a logical and safe series of decisions.