What to Do After a Hit-and-Run
A hit-and-run is disorienting, but quick action protects your safety and your ability to recover — often through your own insurance.
Get safe and call 911
Check for injuries and report it to police right away. A police report is important for a hit-and-run claim.
Write down what you remember
Note anything about the vehicle — make, model, color, partial plate, direction of travel — while it is fresh, and look for witnesses.
Look for cameras
Nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and doorbell cameras may have captured the vehicle. Note them before footage is overwritten.
Report to your insurer promptly
Uninsured motorist coverage often applies to hit-and-run crashes, but it usually has strict, short reporting deadlines.
Get medical care and advice
See a doctor even if you feel fine, and consider a free review to understand what coverage may apply.
The deadlines and rules depend on your state
The steps above apply wherever you were hurt. Filing deadlines, fault rules, and limits on damages differ by state — pick yours for what applies to car accidents.
Not sure where you stand?
A quick, confidential review can tell you — about two minutes, no cost, no obligation.
This is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and the law differs by state.