If you can, act in this order—because it affects your ability to recover later:
- Get medical care immediately (even if you think the injury is minor). Tell clinicians exactly how the crash happened and where it occurred.
- Report the crash and request the incident documentation number. In New Jersey, having an official record early can help organize the claim.
- Capture details while they’re still fresh:
- vehicle description (color, make/model if known, body type)
- direction of travel
- approximate location and time
- any partial plate information
- nearby businesses or homes that may have cameras
- Avoid recorded statements to insurance until you’ve spoken with counsel. Adjusters often ask for specifics that later become points of contention.
If you’re tempted to “wait and see,” don’t. In hit-and-run cases, delays can make it harder to prove causation and can complicate evidence collection.


