How to Handle a Hit and Run Accident?

Posted on: May 17, 2023 | | Written by:

How to Handle a Hit and Run Accident?

Published on May 15, 2023. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Though riding bikes can be quite liberating, it can be unsafe and dangerous at times, even more so on Indian roads, which are prone to accidents. If you own a bike, there is a possibility of encountering hit and run cases. What should you do in such cases, and how will your bike insurance policy come to the rescue? Here is all that you need to know.

Road accidents

Numbers show that India is one of the leaders when it comes to road accidents and deaths due to road accidents as well. A lot of it can be attributed to people violating traffic rules, rash, and careless driving. The presence of own damage bike insurance can be the difference between financial difficulty and none.

There are a lot of possibilities when it comes to road accidents. The following are two prominent possibilities.

1. Hit and run:

It is a type of accident where the vehicle causing the accident flees the accident spot without providing any information or even providing any aid to the injured. Such accidents are tagged as hit and run cases. Due to the nature of the accident, it can be quite difficult to get the driver who caused the accident to pay for the damages.

However, if you do manage to track them down, you can ask them to compensate you for the injuries or damages. Otherwise, you must pay for the repairs from your pocket.

2. Third party accidents:

Third party accidents are the other major type of accident. Here, an accident involves three different parties. The insured is the first party, the insurance provider is the second party, and others are the third party. If you are involved in an accident where there is injury or damage to a third party, the onus of compensation is entirely on you. Not unless you have a third party liability policy on you.

What should you do if you are at the receiving end of a hit and run?

In the unfortunate event of you being at the receiving end of a hit and run accident, there is what you should do.

1. Try to find out the details of the offender.

It can be quite frustrating when someone hits your vehicle and leaves. In such cases, it is important that you remain calm yet alert. Following the offender might not always be the best decision since you might not be aware of the extent of the damages and might even lose key witnesses to the accident.

Ensure you take enough proof of the accident, such as pictures, contact details of witnesses, etc. Once you have the vehicle number, you can find details of the vehicle using the Vahan portal. You can even use this information to file an FIR if needed. If not, it could simply be registered as an unknown vehicle in your FIR or MCR (motor collision report).

2. Take note of witnesses.

Make it a point to take down the name and contact number of any witnesses around. People who have witnessed the accident first-hand will be able to give an unbiased account of the accident. Do forget to ask them if they are willing to help you with either the police report or hit and run insurance claim.

3. Inform the police:

Move your bike to a safe place and then call the police and inform them about the accident. For hit and run cases, it is critical that you file an FIR with the police. Once you file the report, the police will do their investigation and try to catch the offender. If you want to file a claim, the FIR can be quite useful.

4. Surrounding cameras

Since a lot of streets have security cameras these days, it might be a good exercise to look for one nearby. The camera might have captured the entire accident, which will be useful as evidence of the accident.

5. Capture pictures and videos.

Make sure that you take adequate pictures and videos to denote the damages that your bike has incurred. It will be beneficial during claims.

6. Inform your insurance provider.

The next most important step is to inform your insurance provider about the accident. You can file a claim with them if you have your own damage bike insurance. As supporting evidence, you can send the pictures and videos that you have captured. Also, it is sensible not to move the vehicle from the accident spot unless the insurance providers ask you to do so.

Compensation for hit and run:

The Motor Vehicle Act’s Section 161 governs the compensation for hit and run cases. In the case of injuries, the compensation is limited to Rs. 50,000. However, if a person loses his or her life, the compensation is set at Rs. 2,00,000. Also, there can be legal consequences, where the driver might even lose their driving licence combined with hefty penalties.

How to claim bike insurance after an accident?

If you have zero depreciation bike insurance , the first step would be to inform your insurance provider about the accident. Once you do, they will send a surveyor to assess the damages and even look at the accident spot. After they complete their assessment, you can take your bike to a network garage for repairs. Make sure that you share your pictures and videos with the surveyor.

Bikers with zero depreciation bike insurance will end up paying almost nothing from their pockets when it comes to such claims. Though the add-on can slightly increase the policy premium, it offers a lot of benefits in the long run.

Conclusion

Hit and run accidents can be quite frustrating and even disturbing at times. It is important that you stay calm and assess the situation accurately. If you are unable to find the offender or their vehicle details, you can claim hit and run insurance. The policy will compensate for all the damages. Thus, a bike insurance policy offers a lot more than merely keeping you away from hefty traffic penalties.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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