⚠️ Educational reference only. This guide provides general information. It is not legal or medical advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
A hit and run accident is one of the most frustrating situations a driver can face. Someone slams into you, and instead of stopping to exchange information, they accelerate and disappear. You're left at the scene — possibly injured, definitely shaken — with a damaged vehicle and no idea who caused it.
It's a more common situation than you might expect. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that a hit and run crash occurs somewhere in the United States every 43 seconds. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes after a hit and run can mean the difference between a covered claim and no recovery at all.
It's instinctive to want to pursue the fleeing vehicle — but don't. High-speed chases escalate the danger to you, other drivers, and pedestrians. You also risk being at fault for any accident that occurs during a chase. Your safety and evidence collection are more important than an immediate pursuit.
In the seconds before they disappear, try to capture: the license plate number (even partial), vehicle color, make and model, direction of travel, and any distinctive features (damaged bumper, stickers, decals). Write this down or voice-memo it immediately — memory fades fast after a traumatic event.
A police report is essential for a hit and run insurance claim. In most states, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage requires a police report to be filed within a short window (often 24–72 hours). File the report as soon as possible, and tell the officer everything you remember about the fleeing vehicle.
Photograph your vehicle damage, the paint transfer (flakes or streaks of the other car's paint on your vehicle), the final position of your vehicle, skid marks, debris, and the surrounding environment. This physical evidence can help identify the vehicle later.
People nearby may have seen the fleeing vehicle — a partial plate, a distinctive feature — that you didn't catch. Get names and contact information from any witnesses before they leave the scene. A witness's license plate description can allow police to identify the vehicle.
Look for traffic cameras, business security cameras, ATM cameras, ring doorbells, and dashcams on parked vehicles in the area. These may have captured the incident or the fleeing vehicle. Note the businesses and locations so police can subpoena the footage — or you can request it directly from business owners.
Many people assume that if the at-fault driver is never found, they have no recourse. This isn't true. Several insurance coverage types can pay your damages even when the hit and run driver is never identified.
This is the primary coverage for hit and run victims in most states. Uninsured motorist coverage treats a hit and run driver as an "uninsured" driver and covers your bodily injury damages — medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Most states require or strongly encourage UM coverage. Check your policy to confirm you have it and understand its limits.
Some states offer UMPD coverage for vehicle damage in a hit and run. Requirements vary by state — some require physical contact with the fleeing vehicle; others require a witness. Review your policy and state law carefully.
If you have collision coverage, your own insurer can repair your vehicle damage regardless of whether the at-fault driver is found. You will typically pay your deductible, but may get it refunded if the driver is later identified and found liable.
MedPay and PIP cover your medical expenses in a car accident regardless of fault — including hit and run accidents. These are particularly valuable if you have serious injuries and are waiting for a UM claim to resolve.
💡 Some states require physical contact between vehicles for UM coverage to apply to hit and run accidents. If you swerved to avoid a vehicle that didn't make contact with you, check your state's specific rules. An attorney can help determine what coverage applies.
If you were injured in a hit and run, your UM claim may cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Use our free simulator to estimate the range.
Run Free Simulation →Police locate hit and run drivers more often than people expect — especially when a partial plate, surveillance footage, or witness description is available. When the driver is identified:
🚫 Important: If you've already filed a UM claim and the at-fault driver is later identified, notify your insurer immediately. Settling with the at-fault driver without notifying your UM insurer can void your UM coverage.
Consider consulting a personal injury attorney if:
⚠️ Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information. Laws and procedures vary significantly by state. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. Always consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
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