SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Interesting statistic here... you are more likely to be a victim of a hit and run if your car is parked.
ABC 4 is taking action to get the word out to drivers in Utah.
Some of the most common places to be involved in a hit and run collision are big box and grocery stores, bars and restaurants and sporting events.
In Utah, the hit and run statute says if the accident is unattended, the driver must notify the damaged car's owner by leaving a note clearly visible in the window. It must include the name, addres and the registration number of the vehicle that caused the damage. You may also want to call the police.
If you leave without reporting it, you could face a class B misdemeanor.
Allstate Insurance offers the following tips for drivers who return to find their car damaged:
- Survey your immediate surroundings for the other vehicle's driver
- Call the police
- Get the facts at the scene (search for witnesses)
- Check for surveillance cameras
- Take pictures
- Contact your insurance company
Allstate released data from America's 200 largest cities, including Salt Lake City. It shows Salt Lake is 179 out of 200 when it comes to hit and run crashes.
In 2009 there were a total of 297 hit and run collisions. Of those, 216 happened while cars were parked.
