When the other driver flees the crash scene

An auto claims investigator's advice

For survivors and families3 min read

Insurance and claimsHit and runUninsured motorist coverageCrash reportEvidence

Do not chase a driver who flees. Get somewhere safe and call emergency services if anyone is hurt. Tell police what you saw firsthand. That includes letters or numbers from the plate, plus the color and make. Note which way the car went and any damage that stood out. Keep what you clearly saw separate from what you’re guessing. [1, 2]

Reporting quickly may be needed for your insurance coverage as well as for the police investigation. [1, 2]

Capture the scene

If it’s safe, take photos of your car, the debris, where the car sits on the road and any nearby cameras. Save dashcam files before they’re recorded over. Ask witnesses for their contact information. Write down the exact time and place. Get the police incident number and request the report once it’s ready. [1, 2]

Call your own insurer

Ask about collision coverage for your car. Also ask about uninsured motorist coverage for injuries or property damage. Hit and run rules may require a quick police report, proof the cars touched or independent evidence. These conditions vary. A car that made you swerve without hitting you may be treated differently from one that struck your car. Ask what proof and deadlines your policy requires. [1, 2, 3]

Tell the same story every time

Give police and the insurer the same facts. If you remember a detail later, make clear that it came back to you afterward. Do not edit the original video or guess at a plate number to fill a gap. Ask the insurer to explain any coverage decision in writing. [1, 3]

Questions for police and your insurer

  1. What’s the police incident number?
  2. What’s the deadline for giving notice of a hit and run?
  3. Which of my coverages may pay now?

Report fast and pass along the number

Report the incident quickly. Then give your insurer the police reference number. [1, 2]

Sources and further reading

  1. 1Texas Department of Insurance, auto claim and police reporting
  2. 2National Association of Insurance Commissioners, filing an auto claim
  3. 3Washington insurance commissioner, hit and run and phantom vehicles

Read this as general education shaped by auto claims investigation. Reporting duties vary by place and policy. So do the conditions for hit and run coverage. Take care of medical needs and safety at the scene first.

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