A hit and run is unsettling — your car is damaged and the person responsible has driven off. It's frustrating, but there are clear steps you can take to protect yourself and give yourself the best chance of recovering your costs. Here's what to do.
As with any accident, check yourself and anyone else involved first. If anyone is hurt, or if the road is unsafe, call 000 straight away. Your safety comes before anything to do with the other driver.
If your car is drivable and it's safe to move it, pull over somewhere out of the traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. If you can't move it, stay inside with your seatbelt on until it's safe.
It's tempting to go after them, but don't. Chasing another car is dangerous, and it won't help you recover your costs. Stay where you are, make sure everyone is okay, and focus on gathering what you can instead.
Your memory fades quickly, so write things down while they're fresh. Note the time, the exact location, and the direction the other car went. Even a partial number plate, the make and colour of the car, and a rough description of the driver can help.
Photograph the damage to your car, the position of the cars, the road and any surrounding details. If there's debris, skid marks or damage to a fence or pole, photograph that too. Our guide on what photos to take after a car accident has more detail.
If there were witnesses, ask for their name and phone number. An independent account can be very useful when the other driver can't be identified.
A hit and run is a matter for Victoria Police. Report it as soon as you can, and give them everything you noted and photographed. A police report can be important for recovering your costs later. Check with Victoria Police or VicRoads for the current rules on reporting.
Once you've reported it, get in touch with us. Where another vehicle was involved and the accident wasn't your fault, YBV Group can arrange your replacement vehicle, manage your repairs, and pursue the recovery of your costs. If the at-fault driver can't be identified, that falls outside what we can assist with, but it's still worth talking to us about your situation.
We're based in Brighton and help drivers across Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs. You deal with one point of contact the whole way through, so you're not sorting it out alone.
After a hit and run, stay safe, don't chase the driver, write down everything you remember, photograph the scene, and report it to the police. Where the at-fault driver can be identified, YBV Group may be able to help. Check your eligibility on our contact page or call 0481 797 861. This article is general information only and isn't legal or insurance advice. Eligibility conditions apply.
We'll arrange your replacement vehicle, manage your repairs and recover your costs from the at-fault driver. Serving Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs from Brighton. Eligibility conditions apply.
