Knowing what to do immediately after hit-and-run accidents can save time and money and keep you and others safe. That’s why you should immediately check for injuries, get medical attention, gather incident details, and call the appropriate authorities, from the police to insurers.
In 2026, AAA Newsroom reported that a driver fled in about 15% of all police-reported crashes in 2023. When someone flees an accident scene, it can make the investigation more difficult, but not impossible if you contact investigative parties. Having a good legal team on your side and filing a timely police report can play a huge role in finding the person who hit your car or a pedestrian and left.
What Should Drivers Do After Hit-and-Run Accidents?
Get to safety, immediately check for injuries and other damage, and know who to call. Doing these things promptly can help avoid more costly and potentially dangerous fallout. You’re not alone, as legal representation can help once you’ve cleared the scene.
Check Yourself and Others
Are you still able to drive your car? If so, move it out of traffic and turn on those hazard lights.
Immediately scan for injuries on you or any other passengers in your car. If you witnessed someone hitting a pedestrian with a car, check on the victim and try to provide comfort, but never move them.
Document and Contact Authorities
A hit-and-run is a crime, so the police should be involved. Plus, a formal police report is needed for your insurance company to process claims for uninsured motorists.
Even if people walk away feeling normal from hit-and-run accidents, trouble may be brewing. That’s why you should still get a medical check at the emergency room or urgent care.
In some cases, the driver may have hit a parked car, and no one may have seen anything. However, you should still report it, as camera footage may have captured something.
Your phone can take photos of the damage to your vehicle and notes about the fleeing vehicle. Try to get the:
- Model
- Color
- Vehicle make
- License plate number
Talk to witnesses and look for security cameras nearby that may have recorded everything. Try to get witness contacts in case the police or insurance need them.
Call Insurance But Be Careful
Report the accident to your insurance provider within 24 hours. By this time, you should have a police report number and all the details you gathered.
Be careful what you say; the wrong words can be used against you to decrease potential payout. Give insurance the basic details and let a legal professional handle the rest.
For example, avoid saying “I’m not hurt,” or “I’m sorry.” Saying “sorry” out of politeness may be interpreted as liability, and don’t prematurely say you’re feeling fine, as injuries such as whiplash take days or weeks to appear.
Why Does Legal Representation Help?
Once you have legal support for serious injury claims, your lawyer can speak on your behalf to insurers. Using your personal injury attorney as your voice can reduce the likelihood of incriminating yourself.
They can also speed up the process, as insurers are much more likely to respond to a lawyer, and you have a better chance of getting a fair payout over a quick lowball settlement. Plus, an accident lawyer understands what to look for in these cases.
They’ll work closely with medical experts to document your injuries so you get enough compensation whether you need to take time off from work or get surgery afterward. They also have the authority to request traffic camera footage or subpoena phone records if distracted driving is suspected.
Should I Try to Catch the Speeding Vehicle?
If the vehicle is speeding away, don’t be tempted to try to catch it, as you may end up falling victim to road rage. It may also cause secondary crashes, leaving you liable in addition to the original hit-and-run driver. Don’t risk jeopardizing your insurance and legal standing on reckless driving charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Three S’s to Avoid a Head-on Crash?
Scan, slow down, and steer are the words to remember when avoiding a head-on crash. When driving, continuously scan far ahead and look for anybody driving erratically or vehicles crossing into your lane early.
Avoid distracted driving and constantly look out for hazards, such as roadblocks you weren’t expecting to be there. Slow down enough to reduce the force of impact if a crash is likely, and buy more time to react.
Do what you can to steer to the right shoulder or edge of the road. Swerving in this direction instead of left can help avoid going directly into the path of oncoming traffic.
What Is the Safest Position in a Car Crash?
The rear middle seat is the safest spot during a crash because it’s furthest away from front windows and side doors. Studies have shown that sitting in the rear middle seat can increase your odds of survival compared to being in the front or side rear seats.
How you sit also matters, so try to keep good posture. The safest body posture to have is sitting with your back flat against the seat and your feet flat on the floor. Your seat belt should always be low across the hips, and the shoulder strap should cross your chest safely.
Car safety features and airbags are built assuming people are sitting straight. It’s best to avoid crossing your legs or putting your feet on a dashboard.
Unsafe Driving Can Have Lingering Impacts for Many
Hit-and-run accidents can impact many people, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. That’s why understanding the immediate steps to follow can ensure everyone gets to safety, receives timely medical treatment, and can build a case with authorities.
As a result, you increase your chances of avoiding a preventable health problem or getting ripped off by insurance. A good lawyer on your side will handle what’s needed.
Learn a little more about how to protect yourself on the road with other relevant content on our website.