What To Do In A Hit & Run Accident
South Africa has over 10 000 fatalities on its roads every year.
With such a high number, it is becoming increasingly important to know what to do in certain car accident situations, one of them being hit and run incidents.
But what exactly is a hit and run and what should you do in a hit and run scenario?
What is a Hit & Run?
Hit and run is the term used when a car fails to pull over after an accident involving a car, property, or human being. It refers to when the driver hits a person or object, and “runs” away from the scene.
Hit and run is a criminal offence in South Africa. One should always follow legal protocol in the event of a car accident, even if nobody has been injured.
What Should I Do in a Hit & Run Accident?
In a hit and run situation, it is crucial to abide by South Africa’s National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, section 89(1).
The act states that you must do the following after any car accident:
- Immediately stop and pull over
- Find out if anyone has been injured
- If someone is injured, phone an ambulance immediately
- Find out the level of damage sustained to any vehicles, property or objects
- Report the accident to the police within 24 hours of the incident. As per SAPS, you can report a vehicle accident at any police station.
The most important thing to do in a hit and run is to maintain safety.
If you, or anyone either nearby or involved in the accident are not in any danger, collect as much information as possible and contact the police straight away, you can do this by sending an alert in the iER App. A call centre agent will ensure you are safe until help arrives.
What Information Do I Need to Collect in a Hit & Run?
It is vital to gather as much information as possible in the event of a hit and run.
Below is a list of key pieces of information:
- Licence plate number of the offending vehicle
- Make, model, and colour of the offending vehicle
- Time and location of the accident
- The direction the driver went after the accident
- Details of any witnesses
This information is so that the police can find and apprehend the offender and will also be important when claiming from your insurance.
It is crucial that you only gather this information if you are safe and your car is pulled over.
Hit & Run Accidents: What Does the Law Say?
What Happens if I Break South African Road Law?
The National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, section 89(1), states:
Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of the Act or with any direction, condition, demand, determination, requirement, term, or request thereunder, shall be guilty of an offence.
If I Am Convicted, What Penalty Do I Face?
The following categories apply to those who have been convicted of breaking South African road law:
(a) In the case of the death of a person or serious injury to a person where it is proven that you failed to comply with your duties under 1, 2, 3 or 6 above, you will be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding nine years.
(b) In the case of damage in respect of any property or animal of another person where it is proven that you failed to comply with your duties under 1, 4, or 6, you will be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years.
(c) Where it is proven that you failed to comply with your duty under 5, you will be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year.
How Do I Report a Hit & Run to the Police?
Use the iER app to report a hit & run to the police.
Once you are in touch with a law enforcement official, give the following information:
- Your name,
- Your number,
- Your location,
- Details of the accident, and
- The number of people injured (if any).
What If People Have Been Injured or Killed in the Accident?
By law, if anyone has been seriously injured or killed in an accident, you must call the police and inform them about the incident.
In Conclusion
Hit and run accidents are life-threatening situations. It is incredibly important to follow safety protocol and stay within the boundaries of the law in such an event.
Once you and anybody involved in the accident are safe, gather as much information as you can about the scene and contact the authorities with your mobile phone or with the iER Emergency App.
iER – A Free Emergency App
The iER app keeps you and your loved ones safe in the event of a crisis or emergency.
iER is a FREE mobile application with no in-app purchases or ads. Note that minimal mobile usage applies.
iER uses your mobile internet connection to receive your alerts, chat with you, and update you with the status of your alert.