What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident
After a hit and run accident, you should immediately call 911, gather evidence like witness information and photos, seek medical attention, and contact your insurance company to file a claim. You can still recover compensation through your own auto insurance policies, including uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection, and collision coverage, even if police never identify the fleeing driver.
Hit and run accidents leave victims feeling helpless and wondering how they’ll pay for medical bills and car repairs when the responsible driver disappears. The good news is that you have legal options and insurance coverage designed specifically for these situations. Taking the right steps immediately after the crash protects your health, preserves evidence, and strengthens your ability to recover full compensation.
This guide explains exactly what to do after a hit and run accident, how to maximize your insurance benefits, and when you need legal representation to protect your rights.
What Counts As a Hit and Run Accident?
A hit and run accident is when a driver causes a crash and then leaves the scene without stopping. This means they don’t provide their contact information or help anyone who might be injured.
The legal term for this crime is leaving the scene of an accident. It’s illegal in every state, including Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia where we represent clients.
Hit and run accidents happen in several ways:
- Property damage crashes: Hitting a parked car, mailbox, fence, or building and driving away
- Injury accidents: Striking another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist and fleeing when someone gets hurt
- Fatal accidents: Causing a crash that kills someone and leaving the scene
State law requires every driver involved in an accident to stop, no matter who caused it. When you flee the scene, you turn a simple accident into a serious crime with heavy penalties.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Hit and Run?
The moments right after a hit and run feel chaotic and scary. Even though the other driver fled, you still have legal rights and ways to get compensation. The steps you take in the first few minutes can make or break your ability to recover money for your injuries and car damage, so knowing the proper steps to take after a car accident is crucial.
Should I Call 911 After a Hit and Run?
Yes, call 911 right away, even if you think you’re not hurt. A police officer will come to create an official accident report, which becomes crucial evidence for your insurance claim and any lawsuit.
Most states require you to report accidents that cause injuries or major property damage. Even minor-looking crashes should trigger a 911 call because adrenaline can hide serious injuries for hours.
What Vehicle Details Should I Record?
The fleeing driver might only be visible for seconds, so focus on the most important details first. Even one piece of information can help police track them down.
Try to remember:
- License plate number: The most valuable detail, even if you only catch part of it
- Vehicle make and model: Ford F-150, Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, etc.
- Color: Note the main color and any two-tone combinations
- Direction of travel: Which way they headed when they left
- Damage or features: Dents, bumper stickers, roof racks, tinted windows
Write these details down immediately or tell them to the 911 operator while they’re fresh in your memory.
How Do I Secure Witnesses and Video Evidence?
Witnesses provide independent proof of what happened, which strengthens your case significantly. Ask anyone who saw the crash to stay and talk to police, but get their contact information in case they need to leave first.
Look around for cameras that might have recorded the accident. Check nearby businesses, traffic lights, and homes with doorbell cameras. Video evidence may help identify a fleeing driver, so check for nearby cameras and request recordings promptly before footage can be overwritten.
What Photos Strengthen a Hit and Run Claim?
Take pictures of everything while you wait for police to arrive. Photos prove what happened and document your damages for insurance companies.
Essential photos include:
- Your vehicle damage from multiple angles
- The accident scene showing skid marks, debris, or broken glass
- Any visible injuries like cuts, bruises, or swelling
- Damage to guardrails, signs, or other property
- Road conditions and traffic signals
These images can also help identify the fleeing vehicle through paint transfer or parts they left behind.
How Soon Should I See a Doctor After a Hit and Run?
Seek medical attention after a car accident the same day if possible, but definitely within 14 days to protect your insurance benefits. In Florida, you must seek treatment within two weeks to use your Personal Injury Protection coverage.
Some serious injuries like concussions or internal bleeding don’t show symptoms right away. A medical exam creates an official record linking your injuries to the crash, which insurance companies require.
Do I Need a Police Report and When Do I Tell My Insurer?
You absolutely need a police report for hit and run claims. Your insurance company won’t process uninsured motorist claims without one, and it provides official documentation of the crime.
Contact your insurer promptly to report the accident. However, if you’re seriously injured, talk to an attorney before giving any recorded statements to insurance adjusters.
Who Pays If the Driver Is Not Found?
This worries most hit and run victims, but you can still get compensation through your own auto insurance even if police never find the other driver. Your policy likely has several types of coverage that apply to hit and run accidents.
How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Help Me?
Uninsured Motorist coverage (UM) is insurance that protects you when you’re hit by someone with no insurance or someone who flees the scene. It acts like the missing driver’s liability insurance.
UM coverage pays for:
- Medical bills: Treatment costs beyond what other coverage pays
- Lost wages: Income you miss while recovering from injuries
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional trauma
This coverage is optional in most states, but we strongly recommend every driver carry it. UM coverage often provides your best protection in hit and run accidents.
What Medical Benefits Apply Under PIP or MedPay?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Medical Payments (MedPay) are “no-fault” insurance types. This means they pay your medical bills regardless of who caused the accident, making them crucial for hit and run victims.
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | Payment Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PIP | Medical bills and lost wages | Usually 80% of bills, 60% of wages |
| MedPay | Medical bills only | 100% up to your policy limit |
PIP is required in Florida but optional in Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. MedPay is optional everywhere but provides excellent additional protection.
Will Collision Coverage Repair My Car After a Hit and Run?
Yes, collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after a hit and run, minus your deductible. This coverage applies to crashes with other vehicles, objects, or rollovers.
Don’t confuse collision with comprehensive coverage, which covers non-crash damage like theft, vandalism, or hail. You need collision coverage specifically for hit and run accidents.
Can My Health Insurance Cover Gaps?
Your personal health insurance can pay for medical treatment after your auto insurance benefits run out. However, your health insurer might demand repayment if you later recover money from the hit and run driver.
This repayment process is called subrogation, and it can get complicated without legal help to negotiate these claims.
Do Police Reports and Investigations Help My Claim?
Police investigate hit and run collisions as criminal cases, which can directly help your civil injury claim. Officers canvas for witnesses, check local body shops for damaged vehicles, and review traffic camera footage.
When police find the driver, it gives you a clear target for recovering full damages and strengthens your position with insurance companies. Criminal convictions also serve as powerful evidence in civil cases.
Can I Recover If Partly at Fault and How Does the Criminal Case Affect Me?
Your ability to recover compensation when you’re partially at fault depends on your state’s laws:
- Alabama: You can’t recover anything if you’re even 1% at fault (contributory negligence)
- Florida and Georgia: You can recover if you’re 50% or less at fault (modified comparative fault)
- Mississippi: You can recover even if you’re 99% at fault, but your award gets reduced (pure comparative fault)
These different rules can drastically affect your case outcome, so you need an attorney who knows your state’s specific laws.
The criminal case against the hit and run driver runs separately from your civil claim for money damages. You don’t have to wait for criminal charges to file insurance claims or lawsuits.
What Are the Penalties for Hit and Run?
Leaving the scene of an accident carries serious criminal penalties that increase based on the damage caused:
- Property damage only: Misdemeanor charges with fines up to $1,000 and possible jail time
- Injury accidents: Felony charges with thousands in fines and several years in prison
- Fatal accidents: Major felony charges with mandatory minimum prison sentences and license revocation
These heavy penalties show why many drivers eventually turn themselves in or get caught through investigations.
What If My Parked Car Was Hit or Damage Looks Minor?
Always call police and document everything, even for parked car hits or seemingly minor damage. What looks like a small dent could hide expensive structural damage underneath.
Never assume you’re uninjured after any crash, no matter how minor it seems, and always follow proper protocols for what to do after a car accident to protect your health and legal rights. Adrenaline masks pain for hours or even days, and some injuries like whiplash don’t show symptoms immediately.
Don’t accept quick cash settlements or sign any documents without legal advice first. Insurance companies often try to settle fast before you realize the full extent of your damages.
Will My Premiums Increase After a Hit and Run Claim?
Your insurance rates typically won’t increase after filing a hit and run claim since you weren’t at fault, though understanding fault vs no-fault accidents can help you navigate the claims process. This differs from at-fault accidents where your premiums usually go up.
You’ll still pay your collision deductible upfront, but you might recover this cost if police find the other driver. An attorney can help you pursue reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.
Injured in a Hit and Run? Get Legal Help Today
Being victimized by a hit and run driver leaves you feeling frustrated and helpless. At Maloney-Lyons Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers, we believe every client deserves direct attention from an experienced attorney, not just a case manager.
We serve clients across Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia from our offices in Mobile and Biloxi. Your case gets handled personally by partners David J. Maloney or T. Randall Lyons from start to finish.
Here’s how we help hit and run victims:
- Conduct independent investigations: We don’t rely solely on police work to find the other driver, as we know how to maximize your compensation with an auto accident attorney through independent investigations.
- Handle all insurance communications: You won’t deal with adjusters trying to minimize your claim
- Identify all coverage sources: We maximize compensation from every available policy
- Fight for full compensation: We pursue money for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering
We work on contingency fees, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your hit and run accident and learn about your legal options.
Hit and Run Accident FAQ
Can I Still Get Money If Police Never Find the Hit and Run Driver?
Yes, you can recover compensation through your own insurance policies, including uninsured motorist coverage, PIP benefits, and collision coverage, even if the other driver is never identified.
What Compensation Can I Get As a Hit and Run Pedestrian or Cyclist?
Pedestrians and cyclists can file claims under their own auto insurance policies or a household member’s policy for PIP and uninsured motorist benefits, even if they don’t own a car.
How Long Do I Have to File My Hit and Run Insurance Claim?
You must report the accident to your insurance company within the time limit in your policy (usually 30 days), while the statute of limitations for injury lawsuits is typically two to four years, depending on your state.
Can I Get Security Camera Footage From the Hit and Run Scene?
Yes, but you must act immediately since most businesses and traffic systems delete recordings within 24-72 hours; an attorney can send preservation letters to prevent evidence destruction.
Should I Give a Recorded Statement to My Insurance Company After a Hit and Run?
We recommend consulting an attorney before giving any recorded statement, even to your own insurer, since these statements can be used to minimize your claim later.
If Police Find the Driver Later, Can I Still Recover My Deductible?
Yes, if the hit and run driver is identified, you can pursue their insurance for full damages and potentially recover any deductibles you paid through your own coverage.
Do I Get a Rental Car While Mine Gets Repaired After a Hit and Run?
If you have rental reimbursement coverage on your auto policy, it applies to hit and run accidents and pays for a rental while your vehicle is being repaired.
