6 Steps To Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident

Hit-and-run accidents are extremely common in the U.S. In fact, according to 2024 Pew Research data, 14.5% of all crashes involved hit-and-run drivers in 2022.

With so many of these accidents occurring each year, it's important to know what to do after a hit-and-run. This guide will explain the steps that you need to take, including calling the police, talking with witnesses, and letting your auto insurance company know about the incident right away.

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Key takeaways

Drivers who commit a hit-and-run are breaking the law.
When you're the victim of a hit-and-run, you should try to gather as much information as possible about the accident.
Your insurance company may cover a hit-and-run if you have uninsured motorist coverage.

What is a hit and run?

A hit-and-run accident is an accident where a driver leaves the scene of a crash. Various states define it slightly differently, but the basic meaning is the same everywhere. A hit-and-run happens when:

A driver is involved in an auto accident, including hitting a parked car.
The driver leaves the scene of the accident without stopping to provide identifying information and, if needed, offer help to those involved.

Drivers leave the scene of a crash for many reasons. For example:

Sometimes, they may not have realized they caused damage to another vehicle.
They are afraid of getting into a confrontation with the other drivers involved.
They may fear the legal consequences of an accident, such as arrest or prosecution.
They may not have insurance and may be afraid of the financial consequences.
They may not be legal citizens and may be afraid of deportation if they remain at the scene.
They may have an arrest warrant and not want to interact with police.
They may not feel like there is a safe place to stop.
Weather conditions may be poor, and they may be afraid to stop.

Regardless of the reasons why they leave, drivers are not allowed to leave the scene of a crash.

As the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles explained, "Leaving the scene of a traffic crash is not merely a choice; it's an act that disregards the impact to others involved, be it to their property or person. The consequences of leaving the scene far outweigh those of staying."

What to do after a hit and run

If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, there are a few key steps you should take to try to protect your rights and maximize the chances of the driver who left the scene being caught and held responsible.

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1. Don't try to follow the fleeing driver

It may be tempting to try to follow the driver who left the scene, but you should not do that. You could also be accused of leaving the crash scene if you do and other drivers were involved. You also lose the chance to collect evidence at the scene, like eyewitness accounts, and you risk a potentially violent confrontation or getting into another accident as you engage in a car chase.

2. Write down as much information as possible ASAP

You don't want to forget any information that might help the police, so write down as many details as you can about the incident. This can include:

Details about the make, model, and color of the other car
A description of the damage done to the other car
What direction the other vehicle was going
Any part of the license plate number that you can remember
The exact location, date, and time of the incident

All of this information may be able to help the police find the other person who was involved in the hit-and-run. If you can, you should also try to take pictures with your phone of the other car as it is fleeing the scene.

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3. Contact 911 or the police, depending on whether someone is hurt or not

You should call for help in the accident's aftermath. If anyone is hurt, you should call 911. If no one was injured, call the non-emergency line for the local police department so you can report the accident and see if an officer will come to the scene to conduct an investigation.

The police may be able to track down the hit-and-run driver with the information you give them, and they can also write an accident report. You may need this report, either to make a claim with your insurance company for the accident or to make a claim against the hit-and-run driver if they can be located.

4. Talk to witnesses to the accident and reach out to nearby businesses

Witnesses at the crash scene may have seen things you missed that can help identify the hit-and-run driver. They can also provide insight into how the accident happened, which can help you prove who is at fault if the other driver is found.

This can be especially important in parking lot accidents where other people may have seen someone hit your car, even if you did not.

If there were any businesses nearby, it's also worth talking to them to ask if they have security cameras. Even residential homes may have them or Ring doorbells now, so ask around the area as someone may have gotten the accident on video.

5. Call your insurance company right away

You should alert the insurance company to the accident right away, especially if the damage was serious or if you were hurt. Depending on your policy, your insurer may be able to help you pay for the losses resulting from the crash if the other driver isn't found, but you need to let the insurance company know ASAP to ensure you comply with the claim policy.

6. See a doctor to confirm your health status

If you suspect you may have been hurt by the crash, see a doctor. A doctor can diagnose injuries you may not be immediately aware of and can document your injuries so you have proof of harm in case the other driver is found. This will be important to make a claim for damages.

Does insurance cover a hit and run?

If another driver caused your accident, their liability insurance should cover you in most states. Unfortunately, if they are not found, you will need to turn to your own insurer. The good news is, you may have coverage for your losses, depending on what types of insurance you purchased.

There are a few different options for getting your damages covered by your insurer if you're in a hit-and-run.

Collision coverage: This pays for car repairs or replacement of your car that was damaged in a crash.
Uninsured motorist coverage: This can pay for other expenses, such as medical bills and lost wages, that the at-fault driver should have covered for you.

Collision coverage is optional insurance, although if you have an auto loan or are leasing your car, your lender may require you to buy it. Uninsured motorist coverage is also optional in most states, although in many areas, you will be enrolled in this coverage unless you expressly opt out.

If you already have these coverages, your insurer will be there to help after a hit-and-run; you need to have this insurance in place before the incident happens to be covered. You will also have a deductible with your coverage, which means you'll have to pay some money out of pocket before your insurer kicks in to pay the rest.

To find out what your coverage is and what your deductible is, you can check your policy terms or call your insurance company after the accident (or better yet, before anything ever happens) to see what coverages you have.

Deductible vs. repair costs

Since deductibles apply to collision and uninsured motorist coverage, you need to think carefully about whether it's worth making a claim — especially if you have a minor fender bender.

Let's say, for example, that your deductible is $500 and your car has $1,000 in damage. You could make a claim to get the other $500 from your insurer after you pay your deductible. However, when you make that claim, your insurance premiums are most likely going to increase in the future.

GEICO indicates that insurance premiums could go up as much as 50% after an auto accident, and insurance rates remain elevated for around three to five years in a collision's aftermath.

If you're going to pay a few hundred dollars more for auto insurance for years after making a claim that got you $500, then you may be better off just not making that claim at all.

FAQs

How long after a hit-and-run will police contact you?

When you are the victim of a hit-and-run, police should come to the accident scene to take a report. However, it can take time to locate the driver who fled the scene. Law enforcement officials will investigate hit-and-run accidents, especially if someone was seriously hurt or killed. Depending on what evidence is available, it can take up to a couple of weeks to locate the driver, that is if the driver is ever found. Unfortunately, many drivers who cause a hit-and-run get away with it. But if the police do find the driver, they will contact you.

What do cops do after a hit-and-run?

Police will come to a crash scene, take a report, and interview witnesses after a hit-and-run. Police will often investigate to try to find the driver, especially after a serious accident.

What is the minimum punishment for a hit-and-run?

The minimum punishment for a hit-and-run varies by state, but penalties can include fines, community service, jail time, and suspension of your license.

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Bottom line

A hit-and-run can be really frightening and upsetting if you face losses and are worried about who is going to pay for them. Be sure to reach out to your insurance company to explore your options as there is a good chance there is help out there for you, especially if your damages were serious enough to warrant a claim.

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