Meta Description: Learn what to do after a U.S. hit-and-run, including police reports, evidence, insurance claims, uninsured motorist coverage, and key next steps.
Last Updated: August 31, 2026
A hit-and-run accident can be especially stressful because the person who caused the crash may leave before you can obtain a name, insurance information, or even a license plate number.
You may be left wondering:
Who will pay for the damage?
Should I chase the other vehicle?
Do I need to call the police?
Will my own insurance cover the accident?
What happens if the driver is never found?
The most important thing to remember is that your safety comes first.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recommends promptly contacting police when your vehicle is damaged by a hit-and-run driver and notifying your insurer as soon as possible.
Because accident-reporting rules and insurance coverage vary by state and policy, the exact procedure may differ depending on where the crash occurred.
Quick Answer: What Should You Do After a Hit-and-Run?
A practical general sequence is:
Get to safety → Check for injuries → Call 911 when necessary → Do not chase the fleeing driver → Record vehicle details → Photograph the scene → Find witnesses and cameras → Report the crash to police → Notify your insurer → Preserve every record
Even if you only remember part of the fleeing vehicle's information, write it down immediately.
Small details can become important later.
1. Check for Injuries First
Before thinking about the fleeing vehicle, determine whether anyone is injured.
Check:
Yourself
Your passengers
Pedestrians
Cyclists
Anyone else involved
Call 911 if anyone appears seriously injured or requires emergency medical assistance.
Do not put yourself in additional danger by standing in active traffic.
If your vehicle can be moved safely and local rules permit it, move to a safer location and activate your hazard lights.
2. Do Not Chase the Hit-and-Run Driver
Seeing another driver leave the scene can make you angry, frightened, or determined to catch them.
Do not create another dangerous situation by chasing the vehicle.
A pursuit can:
Cause another crash
Put passengers at risk
Lead to dangerous driving
Move you away from witnesses
Make it harder to document the original scene
Instead, focus on remembering as much information as possible.
Let law enforcement handle the investigation.
3. Write Down the License Plate Immediately
If you saw any portion of the license plate, write it down before your memory fades.
Even an incomplete plate may potentially help investigators when combined with other information.
Record:
Full or partial license plate
State on the plate
Vehicle color
Make
Model
Approximate year
Body style
Damage to the vehicle
Stickers or distinctive markings
Direction of travel
Description of the driver
Number of occupants
Do not wait until you get home.
Use your phone's notes app, a text message to yourself, a voice memo, or paper if available.
4. Photograph the Accident Scene
Once you are safe, photograph as much of the scene as possible.
Useful images may include:
Damage to your vehicle
Wide view of the accident location
Vehicle debris
Broken lights
Paint transfer
Tire marks
Road conditions
Lane markings
Traffic lights
Stop signs
Nearby intersections
Street names
Nearby businesses
Visible injuries
NAIC recommends documenting the date, time, exact location, road conditions, weather, skid marks, and other information after an accident.
Take both close-up and wide-angle photographs.
Do not clean or repair the vehicle before documenting the damage unless immediate action is necessary for safety.
5. Look for Witnesses
A witness may have seen something you missed.
Someone standing nearby might have:
Seen the license plate
Recognized the vehicle
Seen which direction it went
Witnessed the collision
Recorded the accident with a phone
Ask witnesses for:
Name
Phone number
Email address, if available
NAIC recommends obtaining witness names and contact information after an automobile accident.
Do not pressure witnesses to decide who was responsible.
Simply preserve their contact information.
6. Look for Nearby Cameras
Video evidence can be particularly valuable in a hit-and-run case.
Look around the accident scene for:
Business security cameras
Gas station cameras
Apartment cameras
Home doorbell cameras
Parking garage cameras
Traffic cameras
Dashcams
Bus cameras
If a nearby business may have recorded the crash, ask whether the footage can be preserved.
Some systems automatically overwrite old recordings, so acting promptly can matter.
Do not attempt to access private camera systems without permission.
Instead, provide the information to police or ask the owner about preserving relevant footage.
7. Call the Police and Make a Report
A police report can be especially important after a hit-and-run because there is no other driver available to exchange information.
NAIC specifically recommends promptly calling police when a vehicle has been damaged by a hit-and-run driver.
Give officers all available information, including:
Time of the crash
Exact location
Vehicle description
License plate information
Direction of travel
Witness information
Photos and videos
Description of the driver, if observed
If an officer responds, obtain:
Officer's name
Badge number
Police department
Report number
Instructions for obtaining the report
If officers do not come to the scene, ask how to submit the required report.
Reporting procedures vary by state and locality.
8. Do Not Assume Minor Damage Means a Report Is Unnecessary
A damaged bumper may look inexpensive to repair.
Modern automobiles, however, can contain:
Radar sensors
Parking sensors
Cameras
Blind-spot systems
Structural components
Electronic safety equipment
Damage that appears cosmetic can sometimes involve additional repairs after inspection.
More importantly, insurance policies and state rules may have specific requirements for hit-and-run claims.
Prompt documentation can protect you if the cost turns out to be greater than expected.
9. Notify Your Insurance Company Promptly
After contacting police and addressing immediate safety concerns, notify your automobile insurer.
NAIC recommends contacting your insurance company as soon as possible after a crash.
Provide:
Police report number
Accident date and time
Location
Photos
Witness information
Vehicle description
License plate information, if available
Any video evidence
Ask the insurer which coverages may apply.
The answer depends on your policy and state law.
10. Check Your Uninsured Motorist Coverage
One of the first coverages to investigate after a hit-and-run is Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage.
NAIC's 2026 consumer guidance states that uninsured motorist coverage can reimburse an insured when an uninsured or hit-and-run driver causes a covered loss.
However, UM rules are not identical nationwide.
Coverage can differ regarding:
Bodily injuries
Vehicle damage
Deductibles
Hit-and-run requirements
Physical-contact requirements
Reporting requirements
Coverage limits
NAIC materials distinguish between Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury and Uninsured Motorist Property Damage, and note that coverage requirements vary by state and policy.
Therefore, do not simply assume your policy covers every hit-and-run loss.
Read your declarations page and policy or ask your insurer.
11. What Is Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage?
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury, often written as UMBI, may provide coverage for bodily injuries when the responsible driver has no insurance or, depending on applicable rules, when a hit-and-run driver cannot be identified.
Potential covered losses may include items such as medical expenses and other injury-related damages, depending on the policy and state law.
NAIC explains that UMBI can cover bodily injuries to you and your passengers when an at-fault uninsured or hit-and-run driver causes the crash.
Coverage limits matter.
Check your policy rather than assuming unlimited protection.
12. Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Pay for Car Damage?
Sometimes—but not always.
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) can provide vehicle-damage coverage in some jurisdictions and policies.
But the rules vary considerably.
A state may:
Require it
Offer it as optional coverage
Limit when it applies
Apply a deductible
Treat hit-and-run cases differently
NAIC notes that uninsured motorist property-damage coverage can pay for damage caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, but availability and requirements vary.
Read the exact policy language.
13. Collision Coverage May Also Be Important
If you purchased collision coverage, it may provide another way to repair or replace your vehicle after a hit-and-run, subject to the policy terms and deductible.
NAIC explains that collision coverage pays for physical damage to your automobile caused by a collision with another vehicle or object.
For example:
Vehicle repair cost: $6,000
Collision deductible: $1,000
Potential covered amount before other applicable adjustments: $5,000
This is only an illustration.
Your actual payment depends on the policy, valuation, exclusions, and applicable law.
14. Understand Your Deductible
A deductible is the amount you may have to pay before applicable insurance coverage pays the remaining covered loss.
For example, if:
Covered vehicle damage = $4,500
Deductible = $500
the insurer might pay $4,000, assuming the entire amount is otherwise covered.
Different coverages may have different deductibles.
Some state-specific uninsured-motorist property-damage rules may also affect deductibles.
Ask your adjuster:
Which coverage is being used?
What deductible applies?
Why does that deductible apply?
Could the deductible be recovered if the driver is later identified?
15. What If You Were Hit While Your Car Was Parked?
Hit-and-run accidents do not only happen while driving.
You may return to a parking lot and discover:
A damaged bumper
Broken mirror
Scratched door
Crushed fender
Paint transfer
First, photograph the vehicle before moving it, when reasonably safe.
Then look for:
A note left by the driver
Witnesses
Store cameras
Parking garage cameras
Doorbell cameras
Nearby vehicles with dashcams
Report the incident according to applicable police and insurance requirements.
NAIC advises prompt police notification when a vehicle is damaged by a hit-and-run driver.
16. Preserve Physical Evidence
The fleeing vehicle may leave evidence behind.
Examples include:
Paint transfer
Broken plastic
Pieces of headlights
Vehicle trim
Debris
Photograph the evidence where it is located.
Avoid interfering with an active police investigation.
If law enforcement responds, point the evidence out to the officer.
Physical evidence may potentially help identify the type of vehicle involved.
17. Save Dashcam Footage Immediately
If your vehicle has a dashcam, save the relevant recording as soon as possible.
Some dashcams automatically overwrite old files.
Make:
Original copy
Backup copy
Cloud copy, if available
Do not unnecessarily edit the original video.
Preserving an original version may make it easier to verify what the footage shows.
The video might capture:
License plate
Vehicle description
Collision
Traffic signal
Driving behavior
Direction of escape
Passenger phone video can also be important.
18. Keep a Hit-and-Run Claim File
Create a dedicated folder containing:
Police report
Claim number
Accident photographs
Videos
Dashcam recordings
Witness information
Camera information
Repair estimates
Repair invoices
Tow receipts
Rental-car receipts
Medical records
Medical bills
Insurance emails
Letters from your insurer
Also keep notes of every insurance conversation.
Record:
Date
Time
Adjuster's name
Telephone number
What was discussed
What documents were requested
Good organization can make a complicated claim easier to manage.
19. What If the Driver Is Found Later?
If police eventually identify the fleeing driver, several issues may change.
The driver may:
Have valid insurance
Have insufficient insurance
Have no insurance
Dispute involvement
Dispute responsibility
Tell your insurance company if you receive new information.
If your insurer has already paid the claim, it may have rights to seek reimbursement from the responsible party through subrogation.
Do not independently sign a release or settlement with the identified driver without considering how it may affect your own insurer's rights or your remaining claims.
20. What If the Driver Has No Insurance?
If the responsible driver is identified but has no liability insurance, applicable Uninsured Motorist coverage may become particularly important.
NAIC reported in 2025 that approximately 15.4% of U.S. motorists were uninsured in 2023, though rates varied significantly among states.
This is one reason drivers should understand their own uninsured and underinsured motorist protection before an accident occurs.
Minimum liability coverage alone primarily protects other people from losses you cause; it does not necessarily provide all the protection you may want for yourself.
21. Do Not Post Too Much About the Accident on Social Media
You may naturally want to tell friends what happened.
But avoid posting extensive public details about:
Your injuries
Who you believe was responsible
Insurance negotiations
Settlement demands
Medical treatment
Your activities after the accident
Statements, photos, or videos posted online can potentially become relevant during an insurance or legal dispute.
There is generally little benefit to publicly debating your claim while it is still being investigated.
22. Be Cautious About Quick Settlement Offers
If the driver is identified and an insurer offers a settlement, review it carefully.
Ask:
What exactly does the payment cover?
Does it cover property damage only?
Does it include bodily injury?
Is medical treatment complete?
Are lost wages included?
Are you being asked to sign a release?
Do not sign a settlement document you do not understand.
A release can potentially affect future claims.
23. Keep Track of Deadlines
A police investigation does not necessarily stop insurance or legal deadlines.
Possible deadlines can include:
Police reporting
DMV reporting
Insurance notice
Proof of loss
Uninsured motorist claim requirements
Lawsuit deadlines
The applicable period varies by state, policy, and type of claim.
Do not assume that waiting for police to identify the driver automatically extends another deadline.
24. When Should You Consider Speaking With an Attorney?
Many minor hit-and-run property-damage claims can be handled directly with an insurer.
Consider state-specific legal advice when the case involves:
Serious injuries
Permanent disability
Death
Large medical bills
Significant lost wages
Insurance denial
Disputed uninsured motorist coverage
Disputed accident facts
Large vehicle loss
Multiple insurance policies
An identified but uninsured driver
An approaching legal deadline
A settlement release you do not understand
An attorney should be licensed in the state whose law applies.
25. Contact Your State Insurance Department if Needed
If your dispute concerns how an insurance company is handling your claim, you may be able to seek consumer assistance from your state's insurance regulator.
The United States uses a state-based system of insurance regulation, so policy requirements and complaint procedures can vary.
A state insurance department may help address issues involving:
Claim delays
Coverage explanations
Claim denials
Insurance-company conduct
State insurance requirements
However, an insurance regulator does not necessarily decide every dispute about legal fault or damages.
Hit-and-Run Checklist
Immediately after the crash:
Get safe → Check injuries → Call 911 if needed → Do not chase → Record plate and vehicle details → Take photos → Find witnesses → Look for cameras
After the scene:
Police report → Insurance claim → Preserve dashcam footage → Save receipts → Review UM and collision coverage → Keep all communications
If the driver is found:
Notify insurer → Verify insurance → Do not sign unexplained releases → Review remaining claims
Why State Law Matters
Hit-and-run insurance rules can differ significantly among states.
Differences may involve:
Accident-reporting obligations
Uninsured motorist requirements
UMBI
UMPD
Physical-contact requirements
Deductibles
No-fault insurance
Personal Injury Protection
Claim deadlines
Lawsuit deadlines
NAIC emphasizes that automobile insurance requirements depend on where a person lives and that uninsured-motorist protections vary by jurisdiction.
For a specific accident, check the law and policy requirements that apply where the crash occurred.
Final Thoughts
A hit-and-run can make an already stressful automobile accident feel even more difficult because the responsible driver may disappear before you can obtain insurance information.
But there are still important steps you can take.
Protect yourself first. Do not chase the vehicle. Record every detail you remember. Photograph the scene. Find witnesses and cameras. Contact police. Notify your insurer promptly.
Then determine which parts of your automobile policy may apply, particularly uninsured motorist and collision coverage.
Even if the fleeing driver is never identified, good evidence and prompt reporting can make an important difference in how an insurance claim is evaluated.
Legal Disclaimer
This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.
Hit-and-run reporting requirements, uninsured motorist coverage, property-damage protection, deductibles, physical-contact requirements, insurance claim deadlines, and statutes of limitation vary by state, policy, and individual circumstances.
For a specific hit-and-run accident, verify current requirements with the appropriate police department, state DMV, state Department of Insurance, your insurance company, or an attorney licensed in the jurisdiction where the accident occurred.
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