What to Do After a Hit and Run

Updated October 13, 2026 · 2 min read · 3 sources

Short answer

Do not chase the other driver. Check for injuries, call 911, and write down everything you remember about the car, plate and driver. Look for witnesses and cameras, photograph the damage, and report the crash to police and your insurer quickly. If the driver is never found, your uninsured motorist coverage may pay for injuries and your collision coverage for car damage.

A hit and run leaves you with damage, possibly injuries, and no one to send the bill to. Acting quickly gives police the best chance of finding the driver and protects your insurance claim.

Right away

  1. Stay put and stay safe. Do not follow the fleeing car. It is dangerous and can make you a party to a second crash.
  2. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and report the hit and run to police even if no one is. Many insurers require a police report for an uninsured motorist claim involving an unidentified driver.
  3. Write down what you remember while it is fresh: plate number (even partial), make, model, color, damage to their car, direction of travel, and a description of the driver.
  4. Find witnesses and get their names and phone numbers.
  5. Look for cameras: businesses, traffic cameras, doorbells and other drivers' dashcams. Footage is often overwritten within days, so ask quickly.
  6. Photograph your car, the scene, debris and paint transfer.

Report to your insurer

Notify your insurer promptly. Policies often set short deadlines for reporting a hit and run to police and to the company, so do not wait.

How you get paid if the driver is not found

Your loss Coverage that may pay
Injuries to you and passengers Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI), PIP or MedPay
Damage to your car Collision coverage (deductible applies), or uninsured motorist property damage in some states
Health care Your health insurance, which may seek repayment later

Liability-only policies do not pay for your own car (Policygenius). Rules vary by state; some require physical contact between the vehicles for an uninsured motorist claim.

If the driver is found

Police may charge the driver with leaving the scene, and you can claim against their insurance like any at-fault crash. If they had no insurance, you are back to your uninsured motorist coverage. See what happens if an uninsured driver hits you.

If you were a pedestrian or cyclist

You may still be covered by uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy or a household member's policy. See what to do if you are hit by a car as a pedestrian.

When to call a lawyer

Uninsured motorist claims are claims against your own insurer, and they can still be disputed. A personal injury lawyer can help if you were injured or the insurer denies coverage.

Sources

  1. Policygenius: Does car insurance cover a hit-and-run?
  2. Direct Auto: What happens after a hit-and-run accident
  3. Insurance Information Institute: Knowing what to do after an auto accident

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This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws differ by state and change over time; talk to a licensed attorney in your state about your situation.

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