Being hit by a driver who speeds away is frightening and infuriating. You are hurt, your car may be damaged and the person responsible is gone. It is easy to assume there is nothing you can do — but often there is. This guide explains what to do right away and how a hit-and-run claim usually works.
What should I do right after a hit-and-run?
Stay safe, get help and capture details while they are fresh.
1. Don't chase the driver
It is natural to want to follow them, but chasing a fleeing driver is dangerous. Stay at the scene.
2. Call 911
Report the crash and any injuries. Tell the dispatcher it was a hit-and-run.
3. Write down everything you remember
As soon as you can, note:
- Any part of the license plate
- The vehicle's color, make, model and body type
- Damage to the other vehicle, bumper stickers or anything distinctive
- The direction it went
- What the driver looked like, if you saw them
Even small details help.
4. Look for witnesses and cameras
Ask people nearby what they saw and get their contact details. Look around for cameras: traffic cameras, businesses, gas stations, doorbell cameras and other drivers' dashcams. Video is often recorded over quickly, so mention it to police and ask businesses to save footage.
5. Photograph the scene
Take photos of your vehicle, debris, paint transfer, skid marks and your injuries. Do not throw away pieces of the other car left at the scene.
6. Get medical care
Go to the ER, urgent care or your doctor. Injuries can be delayed — read about delayed pain after a car accident.
How do I file a hit-and-run claim?
Usually through your own insurance. Report the crash to your insurer quickly and give them the police report number. Coverage that may apply includes:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) bodily injury. In many states and policies, UM covers injuries caused by an unidentified hit-and-run driver. Some policies require physical contact or an independent witness.
- PIP or MedPay. Pays medical bills regardless of fault, depending on your state and policy.
- Collision coverage. Pays for your car's damage, minus your deductible. Some states offer UM property damage too.
- Health insurance. Can help with medical bills.
Learn more in hit by an uninsured driver?
What if the driver is found later?
Then you may have a claim against their insurance, and police may pursue criminal charges for leaving the scene. A criminal case and an insurance claim are separate. Tell your insurer and any attorney right away if the driver is identified.
What if I was walking or cycling?
You may still be covered. Pedestrians and cyclists hit by fleeing drivers can often use UM, PIP or MedPay from their own auto policy or a household member's. Read pedestrian hit by a car.
Why are hit-and-run claims sometimes disputed?
Because there is no other driver to confirm what happened. Your insurer may question whether another vehicle was involved, the timing of your report or the cause of your injuries. Strong evidence — a prompt police report, photos, witnesses and medical records — helps.
How long do I have?
Report immediately. Your state's statute of limitations still applies to injury claims, but insurance policies often have much shorter reporting requirements for hit-and-run UM claims. See how long you have to file a claim.
When should I talk to a lawyer?
If you were injured, if your insurer is questioning your UM claim or if the driver is identified later. Learn more on our hit-and-run claims page, or start a free case review.