What to do After a Hit and Run Accident

Have You Been Injured in a Hit-and-Run Accident 😢😢 and want to know what to do? Check out this short video from Chicago personal injury lawyer Barry Zlotowicz.

0:00 Introduction
0:54 Hit and run statistics
1:06 Why do drivers leave the scene of an accident?
1:48 File an uninsured motorist claim
2:25 How do you win your claim?
3:09 First thing you should do – call the police
4:00 Other things to do after a hit and run
4:20 Consequences of leaving the scene of an accident
5:30 Key take-aways from the video

Ok, so you were involved in a hit and run car accident – meaning, someone hit your car and took off. This can happen of course when your car is parked and your inside safe or you might be driving on the road and get hit and the person takes off.

Hit and run accidents are a serious problem. In the most recent statistics I could find there are over 700k hit and runs a year and they result in over 2k deaths. So you can see how important this topic is.

Why do Drivers Leave The Scene of a Car Accident?

Typically, I’ve seen that the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and they were afraid of getting a DUI; OR, they don’t have auto insurance or they’re driving without a license.

So where to turn if you’re involved in a Hit and Run?

If you’re involved in a hit and run, you are not necessarily out of luck.
Generally speaking, you’re going to file an uninsured motorist claim. Now I’ve talked on this channel so many times about how important it is to have UM and underinsured motorist coverage – go check out some of my other videos on this topic. I’m not going to get into that here but just to remind you that this is critical.

By the way, you can file for a hit and run whether you’re a passenger in a car, if you’re on a bicycle and you have an auto insurance policy, if you were a pedestrian walking across the street and got hit, if you were a passenger in a bus or an Uber or a Taxi, and so forth.

How do you win your claim?

The most important thing I want to leave you with is that your insurance company may be skeptical of your claim. So in my personal opinion and I’ve said this on this channel many times – I think it would be beneficial to get an attorney to work with you on this.

But when you pursue compensation from your own insurance company they become adverse – meaning you’re interest in getting as much money as possible is the exact opposite as the insurance company’s goal of paying you as little as possible. So be cautious of what you say.

What should you do if you’re involved in a hit and run?

First and foremost, call 911 and make a police report. You need to get this on the record. Even if the police won’t come to the scene you got it documented. If the police won’t come to the scene, first chance you get, go to the local police station and file a report. Your insurance company is going to want to see documentation supporting your claim that there was a hit and run.

Next, you’re going to do all the things you should do after any accident. Take photos of your vehicle and of the scene of the accident, and look for evidence to assist police to find the driver who hit you. Maybe when your car got hit and the guy’s license plate came off – it happens. Anything to help the police find the person who hit you.

Take down witness information from anyone at the scene who saw what happened

Seek medical attention if needed, and do not refuse an ambulance ride if injured

[notgilty]

In New York State there are so many cars being driven illegally that there is an epidemic of hit and run auto accidents. The NYS DMV and police estimate that in parts of some cities one out of every two cars is illegal. The NY Legislature, in their infinite wisdom, decided to address this problem by REDUCING the penalties for hit and run accidents DOWN from a Class A misdemeanor to a traffic infraction if there are no deaths or serious injuries requiring hospitalization from the accident. Their reasoning was that treating hit and runs as a criminal offense was having a disproportionate impact on some minority groups who are committing the hit and runs. New York roads are now like something like a Mad Max movie. My advice is to get the best insurance you can afford.

[nicoleboles]

The lady that hit and ran my car, was drunk and was driving on a revoked license . So thankfully the law enforcement found her

[noahmon_]

I'm in the process of one. Got a police report at the time it occurred. Got an attorney. Been 50 days recovering from my injury. I lost 7000$ of wages so far. The doctor said he want me to go to work 3 month after and that time is coming up. I got a released form to back to work when that times comes. I am doing physical Therapy still and I will see the doctor in 120 day about 3 month out from this post. I have my attorney working on my case and. It just following procedure from here on out.

I got a hip fracture and scaring on my head. Seat belt and air bag didn't hold or braced me. One fracture finger.

It just a healing process now and hopefully. I was a passenger. Went through uninsured motorist claim. 100/300

[evelynlaun]

I got into an accident a few days ago, I was turning left on a t- intersection when a car and I collided, she had the right of way but did not have her lights on said a witness, I ofc did not see her coming. The car then drove away and we now found her and the cop is mostly putting me at fault and said he can’t check the traffic light cameras. What do you think.

[dezmitchell]

Got into an accident today and saw the guy flee the scene. Fortunately, lots of people all around me were able to help identify the man, where he went and where he was currently at. I’m waiting to see if my car is totaled but it took a lot of damage and the air bag deployed. I got a burn hole through my shirt and underwear, rash line from seatbelt, minor burn and marks on my left arm, and lots of neck pain. We both were trying to beat the yellow light that resulted in an accident. However, he was at fault and got two tickets. One for reckless driving (bc I had the right away) and one for fleeing the scene. All of this ended up on a police report and I may get a subpoena but I’m wondering what to do next. Do I get a lawyer?

[shaunjay]

Almost three years later, I went to practice mediation yesterday. I’ve had X-ray technician tell me that I’ve had compression fractures, to a chiropractor telling me that I’ve had a brown transverse process and thinning of the disk in my neck.. idk weather I’m coming out going at this point.

What I do know is my credit is shot since being laid off due to the hit and run. I returned to school since I won’t be welding anymore, and I need tires, because my car doesn’t align like it should. I’ll update you after the actual mediation takes place sometime next month. I’m not even expecting much.

[comments.cuestionsandconcerns]

one major issue is it's extremely difficult to find a lawyer that will take a property damage claim only. so we are at the mercy of the insurance companies lawyers. smh.

[saeidanvar-adamantfilmstud]

Hi Three nights ago as I was driving my friend home, leaving the exit to enter the street turning left another driver hit and run my car passing a red light. I pulled aside and checked me and my friend seemed fine but definitely in shock. I parked by the gas station and waved the other driver but they started driving away and leaving the scene. I chased them and got his plate and called 911. I gave the cops all the info. My car’s front bumper is gone. someone suggesting I could get my car which is lease totaled and get paid out for it. Can u guide me what to do I haven’t filed a claim with insurance yet

[irmapablo]

Hello, Lawer Barry Zlotowicz, I live in North Carolina, a lady hit my car and ran away, I chased her she stopped after some chasing; however she only stopped to take pictures of my vehicle and plate tag, she made hand sign offensive signs to me and said that I would end paying to her. The police arrived after more than 2 hours. I report to the officer and showed him the photos I took with the tag #. However the officer did not show the insurance information of this lady as He said that He went to the address and did not see such car. Do you know if State Highway Patrol would give the information in order to file a claim against this Lady's Insurance ? Thank you very much for your time and kindness, Irma.

[masad.]

I got rear-ended by another vehicle. The driver showed me the registration and an insurance card but took off while I was calling the police (although I had asked him to remain at the scene). As it turned out, the driver was not the register owner of the vehicle. Neither was the insurance policy. He took off before I got around to collect his driver's license information. Does this constitute a hit and run? If so, what do you suggest that I do?

[capc]

Thank you for the video I was in a hit and run today after getting my car yesterday. I had got Insurance on the car a hour or two before the accident. I’m praying they fix my car and return it to me soon

[Toodles_the_anklebiter]

I am a victim of hit and run. The driver run off. I rely on the police crash report and after claiming under his policy I am told it's under investigation but 3 days later I am still being told the same. One agent said the policy # doesn't match with the drivers information. I am in desperate help. My insurance is asking for deductible wich I don't have. I need to talk to you.

[ceddieyungfreddy]

My car was in a hit and run accident, luckily, I wasn't present in the vehicle, but the guy fled off after colliding with my car. I have footage of the car hitting me and I do have a description of the vehicle but not the plate number. I'm going to contact the traffic division tomorrow to see if they can help me any further.

[elijahcampbell]

I was backing out of a parking lot and I guess the guy didn’t see me. It was dark and he had a big black truck with camera footage idk what kind of car it was. Maybe ford or ram idk. No damage to his car not that I could see in the heat of the moment but my car was severely damaged and he didn’t really care and I couldn’t get a chance to get his license plate and he threatened to put a bullet in me and he got upset so I just walked away and waited till he left. So what should I do? Should I call police? It just happened yesterday

[washingmachine]

i got in an accident last night, it was pouring rain and out of nowhere the car infront of me swerved out of the way and there was another car driving on the wrong side of the road and hit me pretty bad, luckily me and my friend who was in the car were fine but the guy drove away. It really sucks because my car is very damaged and maybe totaled. The other persons mirror fell off and i have it, im wondering if that mirror will help at all. There were not any witnesses that im aware of because it happened at 2am, i assume the guy was drunk since he was driving in the wrong lane. I dont know a whole lot about this kind of thing. How long will it take for this to be resolved do you think and should i get a lawyer? Thanks

[itzelmedina]

I was the victim of a hit and run 2 days ago. The police luckily found the other driver. My car was parked and I heard when my car was hit so I ran to it and it starts but does not run anymore. I am worried because the other driver was drunk, driving an unregistered car and does not have car insurance. I do not have uninsured motorist coverage. The police said I should file a civil lawsuit but to be honest (and a bit judgemental) the other driver looks/seems broke. So the questions is do I spend money suing this guy who probably doesn’t have money or any assets?

[TromboneLoki]

I was in a hit and run driving last week. Tried to file a claim with my own insurance (Just liability) but the only response was "You do not carry first party coverage on your vehicle so we will not be able to cover the damages. We can run a dmv search on the the other party and attempt to reach out to their insurance company to assist with taking care of your damages done to your vehicle as a result of the accident."
The police have the person's information on the incident report based on the license plate a bystander took a picture of. Do I have any other options?

[trinity]

Hi there. I need some advice. I was involved in a hit and run yesterday. Someone hit my car, both our cars were damaged but the driver of the other car fled the scene. I regret not going to the ER because when I woke up this morning, certain areas of my body is in excruciating pain. I received a call from one of the officers this morning who called to see if I was ok. He sent me texts of where my car is towed to and told Me the person that hit me was a thief and the car was stolen. My car and the stolen car are both totalled and he strongly suggested I go to the ER. I will but I only have liability insurance with no rental coverage. I don’t know what to do from here and now I’m out of a car because a thief decides to cut me off because he was speeding to get away instead drove and hit my car. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated appreciated.

[longjunior]

Hi i had a quick question. I got into an minor crash upon where there road was slippery and had my car lose control and hit a light pole. The pole was tilted diagonally and i had to twisted back thinking i repaired and left the scene. But i was still charged with hit and run. What are the chances i might end up in court or jail if i was given paper charge to pay in the next 30 days?

[SharonRenee-]

Can I sue the police department my daughter was hit by a car yesterday & I filed for a hit & run the officer wrote it up as a pedestrian accident because he said he dont believe the driver intended the hit & run. The driver left the scene did not call the police so how is it not a hit and run . They are treating this with negligence