Hit-and-run accidents are disturbingly common. On average, more than one hit-and-run crash happens every minute on U.S. roads. In 2021 alone, hit-and-run incidents led to 2,872 deaths nationwide. Every state has laws making it a crime to leave the scene of an accident, yet many offenders are never identified.
So if you’re a victim, this article will cover the proper steps to take after such a crash (for example, calling Insure On The Spot at 773-202-5060).
What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident?
A hit-and-run accident is any vehicle collision in which a driver flees the scene without stopping to identify themselves or render aid. Hit-and-run cases can involve two or more vehicles, or a vehicle striking a pedestrian, bicyclist, or property (such as a parked car) and then leaving.
Importantly, hit-and-run is a criminal offense in every U.S. state. Laws require drivers involved in an accident to stop and fulfill certain duties (like exchanging insurance info and calling for aid). Fleeing the scene can result in serious penalties, including loss of driving privileges, hefty fines, and even jail time.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
The moments after a hit-and-run accident are critical. First, check if you or anyone else is injured. If so, call 911 right away to get medical help on the way. Even if there are no serious injuries, you should still call the police as soon as possible to report the accident. Inform the dispatcher that you were involved in a hit-and-run and give your location.
While you wait for police and medical responders, focus on safety. Check if your car is drivable, and move it out of traffic to a safe spot and turn on your hazard lights.
More importantly, do not chase the fleeing driver. It may be tempting to follow the other vehicle, but pursuing a hit-and-run driver can be dangerous and is a job best left to law enforcement. You could end up in another accident or put yourself in harm’s way. Instead, stay at the scene and concentrate on gathering information (as described below) while waiting for the police.
Should You Try to Follow a Hit-and-Run Driver?
Leaving the scene could put you at risk of further accident or injury. Moreover, if you drive off in pursuit, it might complicate the situation when police arrive. The safest course is to pull over, call the police, and give officers any details you have about the fleeing vehicle.
How Can You Gather Evidence After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
As soon as you are safe and have called the police, start noting every detail you remember about the other vehicle. Write down any part of the license plate you caught (even a partial number) and the vehicle’s make, model, and color. Note distinguishing features (such as damage or decals) and the direction the car went after the crash. If you saw the driver, record a brief description of them as well.
Next, look for witnesses. Ask nearby people if they saw the incident and get their contact information in case police or insurance investigators need to follow up. Someone might have noticed details you missed, which can be very helpful.
Also, take photos of your car’s damage and the overall scene. These photos can serve as evidence of what happened. If you have visible injuries, document them too once any urgent medical needs are addressed.
Finally, check for cameras in the area. See if any traffic cameras or security cameras nearby might have recorded the event. Many intersections or businesses have surveillance footage that could capture the fleeing vehicle. Make note of any cameras and inform the police officer, so they can attempt to obtain any relevant video.
What if My Parked Car Was Hit in a Hit-and-Run?
If your vehicle was hit while parked and you weren’t there, you should still report it to the police and document the scene. Look for any note left by the other driver (in a true hit-and-run, there usually isn’t one) and ask around for witnesses or security camera footage. Take photos of the damage and note when and where it happened.
Legally, hitting a parked car and not reporting it is considered a hit-and-run as well. For example, California law requires a driver who damages a parked car to leave a note and notify authorities. The police will treat this seriously, and having a police report will help with your insurance claim.
Why Should You Report a Hit-and-Run to the Police?
Everyone knows that reporting a hit-and-run is required by law. But it’s also critical for your insurance claim. When you call the police and file a report, you create an official record of the incident. Your insurer will need this as proof of what happened. (In fact, many insurance policies stipulate that hit-and-run accidents must be reported to law enforcement within 24 hours if you plan to use uninsured motorist coverage.)
Additionally, notifying the police gives them a chance to potentially catch the offender. Provide the officers with all the details you have. Even a partial plate or vehicle description can be useful.
Be sure to ask the responding officer how to obtain a copy of the police report, and keep that report reference number handy. You’ll need it when filing your insurance claim to show that the incident was documented.
Will My Insurance Cover a Hit-and-Run Accident?
An unidentified hit-and-run driver is treated as an uninsured motorist by insurance. Therefore, if you carry Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, it can pay for your medical bills and injury-related losses after a hit-and-run (up to your policy limits). For damage to your vehicle, your collision coverage will pay for repairs (minus your deductible) even if the at-fault driver isn’t found.
If you live in a no-fault state, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage will cover your injury costs regardless of who was at fault. Similarly, you might have medical payments coverage that helps with medical bills after any accident. After a hit-and-run, be sure to notify your insurer as soon as possible and provide them with the police report.
Importantly, using these coverages should not raise your insurance premium just because you were the victim of a hit-and-run. Insurers do not penalize you for accidents you didn’t cause. Your claim will be handled as a not-at-fault incident, so you can get your car fixed and medical expenses covered without fear of a rate hike.
What Are the Consequences for a Hit-and-Run Driver if Caught?
Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime that can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the situation. For collisions involving only property damage, hit-and-run is usually a misdemeanor (punishable by fines, license suspension, and possibly up to a year in jail). If someone was injured or killed, fleeing is typically a felony in most states, with much harsher penalties including large fines and potential prison time. The offender’s driver’s license may also be suspended or revoked.
On the civil side, the hit-and-run driver (or their insurance company) will be liable for the damages they caused. If the driver is identified and insured, their liability insurance should cover your repair costs and medical bills up to the policy limits. If they were uninsured, they can be held personally responsible, though recovering money from an uninsured offender can be difficult, which is why having uninsured motorist coverage is so important for victims. Additionally, a hit-and-run conviction will severely impact the driver’s insurance status: their insurer will likely cancel their policy or dramatically increase their premiums due to the severity of the offense.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if someone hits my car and drives off?
If someone hits your car and flees, treat it as a hit-and-run situation. Do not chase them. Instead, safely pull over and call the police immediately to report the incident. Check for any injuries and call for medical help if needed. Try to remember and write down any details about the other vehicle (license plate, make, model, color) and get contact info from witnesses. Once you’ve notified law enforcement, contact your insurance company to let them know about the crash and start the claims process.
Do I need a police report for a hit-and-run insurance claim?
Yes. You will almost certainly need an official police report if you plan to file an insurance claim after a hit-and-run. Insurance companies require documentation of the incident to verify what happened and to prevent fraud. In fact, many uninsured motorist policies specifically require that you report a hit-and-run to police within 24 hours in order to be eligible for coverage. Always call the police after a hit-and-run, even if you have little information on the other driver, because that report is your proof the incident occurred as you described.
Will a hit-and-run claim make my insurance rates go up?
Generally, being the victim of a hit-and-run will not cause your auto insurance premium to increase. Insurers do not treat not-at-fault accidents the same as at-fault accidents. Since you didn’t cause the collision, a claim for a hit-and-run (whether through collision coverage or uninsured motorist coverage) is typically not surcharged. Your insurer may ask for details and a police report to confirm you were the victim, but as long as that’s clear, you shouldn’t be penalized for making a claim. State laws often prevent insurers from raising rates for claims where you were not at fault.
Does car insurance cover hit-and-run damage?
It can, as long as you have the right coverages on your policy. Damage to your vehicle from a hit-and-run can be covered by your collision coverage (you’d pay your deductible, and insurance covers the rest). If you don’t have collision coverage, you’d have to pay for repairs yourself unless the police find the other driver and their insurance can cover it. For injuries from a hit-and-run, your uninsured motorist coverage can pay your medical bills if you have that coverage. In no-fault states, your PIP coverage will also cover your injury expenses regardless of the other driver’s identity.