What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident: Protecting Your Rights

Why Hit-and-Run Accidents Are So Devastating

Few accidents are as frustrating and overwhelming as a hit-and-run. Victims are often left injured, shaken, and without immediate help, while the driver responsible flees the scene. Beyond the physical harm, victims also face the emotional trauma of knowing someone caused their injuries and tried to avoid responsibility.

Financially, these crashes can be crushing. Without the at-fault driver’s insurance information, victims may be left wondering how they will cover medical bills, car repairs, or lost wages. That’s why consulting with a skilled hit-and-run accident lawyer is often critical.

Common Scenarios for Hit-and-Run Crashes

Hit-and-run accidents can happen anywhere, but some scenarios are more common:

• Pedestrian accidents: A driver strikes someone crossing the street and speeds away.
• Rear-end collisions: Drivers cause a crash in traffic but flee before exchanging information.
• Parking lot accidents: Cars are hit while parked, and the driver leaves without leaving a note.
• Serious crashes involving intoxicated or uninsured drivers: Some flee because they fear arrest or financial liability.

No matter the scenario, fleeing the scene of an accident is illegal in every state and often results in criminal charges if the driver is caught.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Hit-and-Run Accident

The steps you take after a hit-and-run can make or break your case:

1. Call 911 right away – Ensure emergency medical care and police response.
2. Seek medical treatment – Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
3. Gather evidence – Write down the fleeing vehicle’s make, model, color, and any part of the license plate you recall. Take photos of the scene, your car, and injuries.
4. Find witnesses – Ask bystanders if they saw the accident or recorded it on video.
5. File a police report – This creates a record for your insurance and legal claim.
6. Notify your insurance provider cautiously – Report the incident, but avoid detailed statements until speaking with an attorney.

These steps help strengthen your case, whether or not the driver is identified.

How Police and Investigators Track Down Hit-and-Run Drivers

Law enforcement and investigators use several strategies to locate hit-and-run drivers:

• Traffic and surveillance cameras – Reviewing footage from nearby intersections or businesses.
• Witness testimony – Statements from bystanders can provide valuable leads.
• Vehicle debris – Broken mirrors, paint chips, or parts left behind may identify the vehicle.
• Repair shops and insurance records – Police may track vehicles brought in for repairs matching the damage.

Even if the driver isn’t caught immediately, ongoing investigations sometimes lead to accountability weeks or months later.

What if the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Never Found?

One of the most difficult realities of hit-and-run accidents is that many drivers are never identified. However, victims still have options:

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage – This can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering when the at-fault driver cannot be found.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or MedPay – These cover certain medical costs regardless of fault.
• Third-party liability – In some cases, if the driver was operating someone else’s vehicle, the vehicle owner may share responsibility.

A knowledgeable hit-and-run accident lawyer can review your policies to maximize available compensation.

Compensation Available to Hit-and-Run Victims

Victims of hit-and-run accidents may be entitled to recover:

• Medical bills – Emergency care, hospitalization, and long-term treatment.
• Lost income – Wages lost during recovery and diminished earning potential.
• Pain and suffering – Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.
• Wrongful death damages – Families who lose a loved one in a fatal hit-and-run may seek funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages.

If your family is grieving a tragedy, a compassionate wrongful death lawyer can help guide you through the legal process.

How a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Can Protect Your Rights

Insurance companies often delay or deny claims in hit-and-run cases, leaving victims to shoulder the financial burden. A skilled attorney can:

• Handle all communication with insurers to prevent unfair tactics.
• Work with investigators to track down the at-fault driver.
• Pursue uninsured/underinsured motorist claims when the driver is not identified.
• File a lawsuit if the driver is located and refuses to take responsibility.

At Zinda Law Group, our attorneys have helped many victims of hit-and-run accidents recover compensation despite the unique challenges these cases present.

Preventing Hit-and-Run Accidents: Safety Tips for Drivers and Pedestrians

Although you can’t control the actions of others, you can take steps to reduce the risks of being involved in a hit-and-run:

• Stay alert in parking lots and crosswalks – These areas are common sites for hit-and-run accidents.
• Consider using a dashcam – Footage can provide crucial evidence if the other driver flees.
• Park in well-lit areas – Reduces the chance of a parking lot hit-and-run.
• Report unsafe drivers – If you see reckless or intoxicated driving, report it before an accident occurs.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that hit-and-run accidents account for thousands of fatalities each year, underscoring the importance of vigilance.

Contact Zinda Law Group After a Hit-and-Run Accident

Being the victim of a hit-and-run is overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. The attorneys at Zinda Law Group are here to investigate your claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

We offer 100% free consultations, and you won’t pay anything unless we win your case.

Call (800) 863-5312 today to speak with an experienced hit-and-run accident lawyer.