Hit-and-Run Accident Claims

When the at-fault driver flees, you still have rights — your own coverage and aggressive investigation can deliver recovery.

A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver causes a collision and unlawfully leaves the scene without stopping to identify themselves or render aid, a criminal offense in every state. Victims face a uniquely frustrating situation: they have suffered real injuries and property damage but the responsible party has vanished, seemingly leaving no one to hold accountable. The critical legal point is that recovery is often still available even when the fleeing driver is never identified. Most auto policies include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which is specifically designed to step into the shoes of a phantom or unidentified driver, allowing the victim to pursue compensation through their own insurer for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Many states require UM coverage or mandate that insurers offer it. Building a successful hit-and-run claim depends heavily on prompt and thorough investigation — reporting the crash to police immediately (a police report is frequently a prerequisite for UM benefits), canvassing for traffic and surveillance cameras, locating witnesses who may have captured a license plate, examining paint transfer and vehicle debris left at the scene, and checking nearby body shops for matching repairs. Insurers handling UM hit-and-run claims sometimes treat their own policyholders adversarially, demanding corroboration that an unidentified vehicle actually caused the crash and disputing injury severity. Strict notice deadlines in UM policies, often shorter than the general statute of limitations, make immediate action essential.

For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney.