The immediate aftermath of a hit-and-run is uniquely distressing. The initial shock of screeching tires and a jarring impact quickly morphs into panic and anger when you realize the responsible driver is fleeing the scene. This violation leaves you feeling helpless, suddenly facing injuries and property damage with no one immediately available to hold accountable.

In the chaotic moments after the crash, it is difficult to know what to do. The actions you take—and the order in which you take them—can have a significant impact on your health, your finances, and your ability to recover compensation for your losses.

While every collision is different, the priorities for any victim of a hit-and-run accident are the same. Your focus must shift from the injustice of the fleeing driver to the practical steps that protect your well-being and your rights. This guide outlines the three most important actions to take immediately following a hit-and-run.

1. Prioritize Your Safety and Seek Immediate Medical Care

Before you can even think about license plates or insurance, your first and only priority is your health and safety.

Move to a Safe Location

If you are still in the path of traffic, you are in immediate danger of a secondary accident, which is often more severe than the first.

• If you are in your vehicle, try to move it to the shoulder or a nearby side street, well out of the flow of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights.
• If you are a pedestrian or cyclist, navigate yourself to a sidewalk, a storefront, or as far away from the road as possible.

You should only proceed to the next steps once you are out of danger.

Conduct a Health Check and Call 911

Inspect yourself and any passengers for obvious injuries. Even if you feel “fine,” call 911 right away. This single call accomplishes two vital tasks at once:

1. It dispatches medical help. Paramedics can assess you on the scene.
2. It dispatches the police. A police report is essential for any hit-and-run incident.

When the 911 operator asks, state clearly that you have been in an accident, you are injured (or are unsure of your injuries), and the other driver fled the scene.

The Importance of a Medical Evaluation, Even for Minor Pain

The shock and adrenaline from a crash are powerful chemicals. They can completely mask the symptoms of serious injuries. You may feel shaken but otherwise unharmed, only to wake up the next day in severe pain.

Common delayed-onset injuries include:

• Whiplash: This soft-tissue injury to the neck can take 24-48 hours for the pain, stiffness, and headaches to become apparent.
• Concussions: A mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) may not present symptoms like confusion, dizziness, or nausea for hours or even days.
• Internal Bleeding: Damage to organs can be life-threatening but may only be detectable through medical imaging.

Seeking a medical evaluation on the same day as the accident—either by ambulance, at an emergency room, or at an urgent care center—is not just about your health. It is also about your potential legal claim.

Creating a Medical Record for a Future Hit-and-Run Lawsuit

If you later need to seek compensation, you must prove that your injuries were a direct result of the accident. If you wait a week to see a doctor, the at-fault party's insurance (or your own) will almost certainly argue that your injuries could have been caused by something else during that time.

A medical record created on the date of the hit and run becomes the foundational evidence linking your physical harm to the negligent act of the fleeing driver. This documentation is a cornerstone of any future hit-and-run lawsuit or insurance claim.

2. Gather Every Piece of Information Possible

Once you are safe and have called for help, your next priority is to become a detective. The driver who fled is counting on you being too disoriented to gather details. Prove them wrong. The smallest piece of information can be the one that helps police identify the driver.

Your Memory Is the First Piece of Evidence

The car is gone, but your memory is immediate. Write down—or, better yet, open a note app on your phone or record a voice memo—everything you can remember about the fleeing vehicle. Do not wait. These details fade quickly.

Partial information is much better than no information.

• License Plate: This is the most important detail. Even a partial plate (e.g., "the first three letters were J-T-X") is incredibly helpful.
• Make and Model: Was it a black sedan? A red Ford truck?
• Color: Be as specific as you can.
• Distinguishing Features: Was there a roof rack? A loud muffler? Did it have a bumper sticker? Was the car old or new? Did you notice pre-existing damage before it hit you?
• Direction of Travel: Which street did it turn on to escape?

Also, try to recall details about the driver if you saw them. Was it a man or a woman? What were they wearing? This information can help police as they investigate.

Document the Scene Extensively

Your smartphone is your most powerful digital evidence-gathering tool. Take more photos and videos than you think you need.

• Your Injuries: Photograph any cuts, bruises, or bleeding.
• Your Vehicle: Take wide-angle shots of your car and its position relative to the road. Then, take detailed, close-up photos of all points of damage.
• The Other Car’s “Signature”: The crash may have left paint from the other car on yours. Photograph this paint transfer, as it can help confirm the color of the fleeing vehicle.
• The Accident Scene: Take pictures of the entire area. This includes skid marks, broken glass, or debris on the road.
• Wider Context: Capture photos of street signs, traffic signals, weather conditions, and the time of day. This context can help accident reconstructionists understand how the crash happened.

Identify Witnesses Before They Disappear

In a hit-and-run, witnesses are often your best resource. Other drivers, pedestrians, or local residents may have seen the entire event.

• Look for anyone who stopped or is watching.
• Ask them politely if they saw what happened.
• If they did, obtain their full name and phone number.
• If possible, ask them to wait to speak with the police. If they cannot, ask them what they saw and write it down.

The Search for Video Footage

Your next step is to look for "digital witnesses." Scan the area for:

• Traffic Cameras: Often located at major intersections.
• Business Security Cameras: A nearby convenience store, gas station, or office building may have a camera pointed at the road.
• Residential Cameras: Ring doorbells and other home security systems frequently capture street traffic.

You may not be able to get this footage yourself. Do not try to enter a business and demand their video. Instead, note the exact location of the cameras. The police or a hit-and-run accident lawyer can follow up with a formal request to preserve and obtain the footage before it is automatically deleted.

3. Officially Report the Hit-and-Run Incident

After addressing your health and gathering evidence, the final step is to create the official record. This involves two separate but equally important reports.

File an Official Police Report

Even if you called 911, you must ensure a formal report is filed. When the police arrive, provide them a clear, factual statement of what happened.

• Stick to the facts. Do not speculate about why the driver fled (e.g., "they were probably drunk"). Just state what you saw.
• Provide all the evidence. Show the officer the photos you took. Provide them your notes on the car and the witness information you collected.
• Obtain the report number. Before the officer leaves, ask for the police report number and the officer's name and badge number. You will need this report number for your insurance claim.

This police report is the official document that legally classifies your accident as a hit and run. Without it, your insurance company may treat your claim with suspicion.

Notify Your Own Insurance Company

This is the step many people dread, but it is necessary. You must report the accident to your own insurance provider as soon as possible, even though the accident was not your fault.

In a hit-and-run, the person who should be paying for your damages—the at-fault driver—is missing. This is where your policy comes into play.

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage: This is the part of your policy designed for this exact situation. UM coverage steps into the shoes of the missing driver and can pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, up to your policy limits.
• Collision Coverage: This part of your policy pays to repair or replace your vehicle, regardless of who was at fault. You will likely have to pay your deductible, but your insurer may be able to waive it or refund it if the at-fault driver is ever identified and found to have insurance.

Why You Should Still Be Cautious with Your Insurer

When you file a UM/UIM claim, you are filing a claim against your own insurance company. While you pay them for protection, their business model involves minimizing payouts. Your insurer may become your adversary.

They may ask you to provide a recorded statement. It is often wise to politely decline until you have had the opportunity to speak with a legal professional. Your words can be used to poke holes in your claim.

What Happens Next? Navigating Your Options for Compensation

The aftermath of a hit-and-run incident can be a complex and confusing period of time. You are likely dealing with two separate but related challenges:

1. The Criminal Investigation: The police will, one hopes, use the information you provided to search for the driver.
2. The Insurance Claim: You will be navigating your own policy to get your medical bills and car repairs paid.

If the At-Fault Driver Is Identified

If the police or your own investigation successfully identifies the driver, your case changes. You can now pursue a personal injury claim directly against that driver's insurance policy. This is often the best-case scenario for a full financial recovery.

When the Driver Is Not Found: The Role of a Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney

More often, the driver is never found. In this case, your only path to compensation is through your own insurance policy's UM/UIM coverage.

This is not a simple process. An insurance company may argue your injuries are not as severe as you claim or that your own driving was partially to blame. This is when contacting a hit-and-run accident attorney can be a significant advantage. An experienced attorney manages all communication with the insurer, gathers all necessary medical records and expert reports, and negotiates to ensure you receive the maximum compensation your policy allows. They handle the administrative difficulties so you can focus on your physical recovery.

Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, is One Phone Call Away

Being the victim of a hit-and-run is deeply unfair. You were left to deal with the consequences of another person's reckless and criminal behavior. But you do not have to navigate the path to recovery alone.

If you are struggling with medical bills and lost wages while trying to get your insurance company to do the right thing, we can help. At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we have extensive experience with complex accident claims, including those involving unidentified drivers. We are dedicated to fighting for our clients and holding all responsible parties accountable.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, review your insurance policy, and explain your options in clear, straightforward terms. Let us help you take back control. We are available day or night to assist you.