Experiencing a hit-and-run accident can leave you in shock or feeling helpless; however, the best thing to do is to remain calm and retrieve as much information as possible.
According to CarZar’s website, remaining calm will allow you to keep a clear head to remember the make, model, colour and licence plate of the vehicle.
This will help police identify the suspect and in claims from insurance companies. Make a note of when and where the accident occurred, and take photos of the scene. Speak to witnesses on scene who may have seen or remember more inform than you do.
Hit-and-run victims should not feel hopeless in the situation because ‘the driver is gone’ as everyone has human rights when involved in anything that devalues their person or property.
Read the latest incident here: Hit-and-run victims want justice
In terms of section 61 of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, any person involved in a collision is authorised to request the offender’s details and has the right to receive those details. This is evident in section 61(1)(e), which states:
“61(1) The driver of a vehicle on a public road at the time when such vehicle is involved in or contributes to any accident in which any other person is killed or injured or suffers damage in respect of any property or animal shall:
. . .
(e) If required to do so by any person having reasonable grounds for so requiring, give his or her name and address, the name and address of the owner of the vehicle driven by him or her and, in the case of a motor vehicle, the registration or similar mark thereof.”
In this case, it is your right to take legal action if the driver of the hit-and-run vehicle is caught, as the driver has violated section 61, and can be found guilty of a hit-and-run if you lay a charge at a police station. If your vehicle has sustained any damage during the collision, police reports must be made within 24 hours of the collision at the police station closest to the accident scene.
A ‘hit-and-run’ is a situation in which an accident occurs, but the driver of one of the vehicles intentionally leaves the scene without supplying the victim with his/ her contact information.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at northsider@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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