If you can do so safely, your first priority is medical care. After that, the next steps matter just as much—especially with hit-and-run crashes.
Do these things early:
- Call 911 and ask for an incident report. A report number can be critical when insurers later question what happened.
- Document the scene immediately (photos of vehicle damage, your injuries, traffic controls, lighting, skid marks, and anything distinctive you remember).
- Identify nearby cameras. In Massillon, that often means businesses along main travel routes, apartment complex entrances, or other properties with exterior security systems. Ask whether footage is retained and who to contact.
- Write down details while they’re fresh. Lane position, direction of travel, approximate speed, vehicle color, body style, and any partial plate information.
Avoid a common trap: giving a detailed statement to insurance before your evidence is organized. In hit-and-run cases, insurers may use wording to create uncertainty.


