Hit-and-Run Accident Tips: What to Do After a Crash

Between 2012 and 2021, there were 1,992,143 hit-and-run incidents resulting in injuries in the United States. Being involved in one can be frightening, particularly when the other driver leaves without providing information or helping those who have been injured.

Whether you were driving the vehicle that was hit, were a passenger, or witnessed the incident, knowing what to do next can help protect your safety and preserve important evidence.

A hit-and-run accident attorney may also help you understand your legal options, navigate insurance claims, and investigate the circumstances of the collision.

This guide provides practical hit-and-run accident tips to help you respond safely and understand the steps that may follow.

What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident?

A hit-and-run accident occurs when someone involved in a collision leaves the scene without fulfilling the legal responsibilities that apply to the incident. These responsibilities commonly include stopping, providing required information, and offering reasonable assistance when someone has been injured.

The exact legal requirements vary by jurisdiction and by the circumstances of the collision. A crash involving a parked vehicle or other property damage may also trigger reporting and information-sharing obligations.

Leaving the scene of a collision can have serious legal consequences, particularly when someone has been injured or killed.

Hit-and-Run Accident Tips

Car accidents are stressful, and the situation can become even more difficult when another driver leaves without identifying themselves. If you experience a hit-and-run, the following steps can help you respond appropriately.

1. Stay Calm

Feeling frightened, confused, or anxious after a hit-and-run is natural. Take a moment to assess the situation and focus on the most important priorities.

Avoid chasing the other driver, confronting anyone, or taking actions that could put you or other road users in danger.

If possible, move to a safe place and take note of what you remember about the incident while the details are still fresh.

2. Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If someone appears seriously injured, has difficulty breathing, is unconscious, or may have suffered a head or spinal injury, contact emergency services immediately.

Do not assume that someone is uninjured simply because there is no visible bleeding. Shock can make it difficult to recognise pain, and some injuries may not become apparent until later.

If your vehicle is creating a traffic hazard and can be moved safely, relocate it to a safer position. Otherwise, move away from moving traffic if you can do so without increasing the risk of injury.

If you have been hurt, avoid unnecessary movement and wait for medical assistance when appropriate.

3. Call Emergency Services

Contact 911 when someone is injured, there is immediate danger, or emergency assistance is needed. Report the collision to the appropriate law enforcement agency as required by local law.

Give the dispatcher your location, describe what happened, and provide any information you remember about the vehicle that left.

A police investigation may help document the incident and identify the other driver. Ask how you can obtain the report or reference number, as your insurance company may request it during the claims process.

Do not assume that an accident involving minor damage can simply be ignored. Reporting requirements differ by jurisdiction, so check the rules that apply to your circumstances.

4. Gather Information and Evidence

If you are safe and physically able, record as much relevant information as possible while waiting for the police.

Useful details include:

• Location and time: Record where and when the collision occurred.
• Vehicle description: Note the make, model, colour, licence plate number, and distinctive features of the vehicle that left.
• Driver description: Record any details you remember about the driver’s appearance or clothing.
• Accident circumstances: Write down the direction of travel, the sequence of events, and the direction in which the other vehicle departed.
• Photographs and videos: Capture the scene, road conditions, visible damage, traffic signs, and debris when it is safe.
• Witness information: Ask witnesses for their contact details and whether they are willing to share what they observed.
• Available recordings: Note nearby security cameras or dashcams that may have captured the incident.

Do not put yourself in danger to collect evidence or approach the other vehicle. If you cannot gather the information yourself, police officers or other appropriate professionals may be able to assist.

Preserve photographs, messages, repair estimates, and other records without altering potentially relevant evidence.

5. Inform Your Insurance Provider

Contact your insurance company as soon as reasonably possible and follow the reporting requirements in your policy.

The insurer may ask for the police report, photographs, a description of the incident, repair estimates, and medical documentation if you were injured.

Insurance deadlines vary by policy and jurisdiction. Rather than assuming that you have a particular number of hours or days to report the collision, check your policy and notify the insurer promptly.

Depending on your coverage, you may be able to make a claim under collision coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, or another applicable policy provision. Eligibility depends on the circumstances, policy wording, and relevant law.

Keep copies of correspondence, claim numbers, receipts, and any settlement offers. Before accepting a settlement, make sure you understand what losses it covers and whether it affects your ability to pursue other claims.

6. Do Not Chase the Driver or Leave Without Considering Your Responsibilities

It can be tempting to follow a driver who has caused a collision and then fled. However, chasing the vehicle can expose you to additional danger and may make the situation worse.

Instead, record any details you remember and provide them to law enforcement.

If you are the person whose vehicle was struck, do not leave simply because the other driver has departed. Remain in a safe location and follow the instructions of law enforcement or emergency responders.

If remaining at the scene creates an immediate danger, move to safety and contact the authorities. The legal duties that apply depend on the circumstances and your role in the incident.

If the accident involves questions about the other driver’s licence or legal authority to operate a vehicle, those details may be relevant to an investigation. For more information about this topic, read our guide to authorisation for driving vehicles.

7. Contact a Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney

A hit-and-run can create financial and legal difficulties, particularly when the other driver cannot immediately be identified or located.

An experienced personal injury attorney may help you understand the legal options available, communicate with insurers, identify relevant evidence, and determine whether a compensation claim may be possible.

Depending on the circumstances, legal assistance may also be useful when insurance coverage is disputed, injuries are serious, or the accident involves multiple vehicles.

Compensation is not guaranteed. The outcome depends on the available evidence, applicable law, insurance coverage, and the facts of the incident.

What If the Other Driver Was Impaired?

If there is evidence that the driver who caused the collision was impaired by alcohol, this may be relevant to the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings. However, impairment should not be assumed without supporting evidence.

For related information about impaired driving and traffic fatalities, read our article on drivers with a BAC of 0.08 and traffic fatalities.

8. Seek Medical and Emotional Support

The effects of a hit-and-run may continue after the immediate incident has passed. Physical injuries can require ongoing treatment, and the experience may also cause stress, anxiety, or fear of travelling.

Seek medical attention when needed and follow your healthcare professional’s recommendations. Keep records of appointments, prescriptions, rehabilitation, and associated expenses.

If the experience causes persistent emotional distress or interferes with your daily life, consider speaking with a qualified mental health professional.

Motorcycle riders can face particularly serious injuries when involved in a collision with a larger vehicle. For further information about injury claims and the recovery process, see our guide to navigating a motorcycle wreck claim with confidence.

What Happens After You Report a Hit-and-Run?

After the incident is reported, law enforcement may investigate the collision, review available evidence, interview witnesses, and attempt to identify the driver who left the scene.

Your insurer may separately assess the vehicle damage, determine which coverage applies, and request supporting information.

The process can take time, especially when the driver has not been identified or the accounts of the incident differ. Respond to reasonable requests for information, keep records of communications, and ask your insurer to explain any decisions you do not understand.

If you discover additional evidence after making the initial report, such as relevant security footage or new witness information, contact the appropriate authority or investigator to ask how it can be provided.

How to Protect Your Rights After a Hit-and-Run

A few additional precautions can help you manage the situation more effectively.

Keep a written record. Document the timeline of the collision, the people you contacted, and important conversations with police or insurers.

Save all related expenses. Keep receipts for medical treatment, repairs, towing, transport, and other accident-related costs.

Avoid speculation. When describing the event, distinguish between what you personally observed and what you believe may have happened.

Be cautious with settlement offers. Before accepting compensation, understand which losses the settlement covers and whether it releases additional claims.

Pay attention to deadlines. Reporting requirements, insurance deadlines, and legal limitation periods can differ. Obtain advice promptly if the injuries or financial losses are substantial.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident?

A hit-and-run is a collision in which a person involved leaves without fulfilling the legal responsibilities required by the applicable law. These may include stopping, exchanging information, and providing assistance to injured people.

Should I Call 911 After a Hit-and-Run?

Call 911 if someone is injured, there is immediate danger, or emergency assistance is needed. Report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement agency as required by local law.

What Information Should I Collect?

When safe, record the other vehicle’s description and licence plate, the time and location of the incident, photographs of the damage, and witness contact information. Do not risk your safety to collect evidence.

Can I Make an Insurance Claim If the Driver Is Not Found?

Possibly. The available options depend on your insurance policy and applicable law. Collision coverage or uninsured motorist coverage may be relevant in certain circumstances, but eligibility is not automatic.

Should I Hire an Attorney After a Hit-and-Run?

Legal assistance may be useful when the accident involves serious injuries, disputed liability, substantial losses, or complicated insurance coverage. An attorney can explain your options and help you understand the claims process.

What Should I Do If I Was Injured as a Motorcycle Rider?

Prioritise medical care, report the collision as required, document the incident when safe, and notify your insurer. If your injuries are serious or responsibility is disputed, consider obtaining legal advice about your options.

Conclusion

A hit-and-run accident can leave victims feeling frightened and uncertain about what to do next. Taking a calm, organised approach can help you protect your safety, preserve important evidence, and understand the options available to you.

Check for injuries, call emergency services when necessary, report the incident, document what happened, and notify your insurance provider promptly. Avoid chasing the driver, and seek medical or legal support when appropriate.

Although identifying the other driver can take time, photographs, witness information, official reports, and accurate records may help investigators and insurers assess the incident. By taking sensible steps and understanding your rights and responsibilities, you can navigate the aftermath of a hit-and-run more confidently.