Hit and Run Accident — What to Do and How to Claim | 2026 Guide

The other driver hit you and fled. You're in shock, possibly injured, and don't know what to do. Hit-and-run accidents are more common than you think — and yes, there are options for getting compensation.

Can I Get Compensation If the Other Driver Fled?

Yes, but your options depend on whether the driver is identified:

If the Driver Is Identified

You can file a claim against their insurance normally. Police sometimes find them through traffic cameras, witnesses, or vehicle fragments.

If the Driver Is NOT Identified

Your best option is your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. If you have UM, your own insurer pays — as if the other driver had no insurance.

Without UM coverage, options are limited. Some states let you use collision coverage for vehicle damage, but it doesn't cover injuries.

What to Do Immediately

1. Call 911 — reporting is mandatory and you need the police report
2. Write down everything you remember — color, make, model. Partial plate? Direction they went?
3. Find witnesses — someone may have seen something or recorded it on their phone
4. Look for cameras — stores, gas stations, traffic cameras may have captured the accident
5. Take photos — of your vehicle damage and the scene
6. See a doctor — document your injuries
7. Contact your insurer — to activate your UM coverage if you have it

How Much Is a Hit and Run Case Worth?

Amounts are similar to any other accident — it depends on your injuries, not whether the other driver fled. The difference is where the money comes from:

• Driver identified: their insurance
• Driver not identified: your UM coverage
• No UM coverage: very limited options

Is Leaving an Accident Scene a Crime?

Yes. Fleeing the scene of an accident with injuries is a felony in most states. This means police have more incentive to investigate and find the driver.

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Updated May 2026. Sources: Insurance Information Institute; state bar associations.