What Should You Do if You Hit a Road Sign?

What Should You Do if You Hit a Road Sign?

Even the most careful, cautious drivers occasionally get into an accident. If you are driving while tired or distracted or driving in inclement weather or low visibility, your risk of a collision is much higher. If you hit a road sign, you might be tempted to just drive off and leave it as it is. However, you could end up facing fines or fees if someone finds out that your vehicle caused the damage. Here is your guide to what to do if you hit a road sign.

Safely Pull Off the Road

The first thing that you should do is safely pull off the road. You should not ever try to make a phone call or take a photo while you’re driving, as that might cause you to get into another collision.

Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

Depending on how fast you were driving when you hit the road sign, you or your passengers may have injuries. Make sure everyone is okay and that no one hit their head, is bleeding, or suffered from any type of injury. If anyone is injured, call 911 right away.

Take Photos

If everyone in your car is safe and uninjured, get out to take photos of the road sign and your vehicle. You may also want to take a video of the accident site. Do not leave your car if you are on the edge of a busy highway and taking photos would be unsafe.

Report the Downed Sign

If you damage a stop sign or any other type of sign that is essential for road safety, report it right away. Call your local non-emergency law enforcement number to report that a sign is down. If the sign you knocked over was not a crucial road safety sign, you may be able to file a report online. If you have any doubt, call 311 or your city police non-emergency number. In Tucson, you can report a downed road sign by calling 311, using the Tucson 311 app, or submitting a report through the Tucson 311 portal. You can also call Tucson streets and traffic maintenance between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm at (520) 791-3191.

Do You Have to Pay a Fine for Hitting a Road Sign?

In some situations, you may face a fine, fee, or traffic citation for hitting a road sign. The consequences depend on the reason you hit the sign. If you were driving while distracted, driving while intoxicated, or operating your vehicle recklessly or negligently, you may face consequences. Remember that leaving the scene of an accident is illegal and you could face hit and run charges.

If your vehicle was damaged during an auto accident, our team at National Auto Collision Centers can help. We specialize in major and minor collision damage repair in Tucson, AZ, including glass and paint. We can also help you determine if your insurance company will cover the damage. To schedule an appointment, call us today or contact us online.