Involvement in a hit-and-run accident can leave you unsure of what to do in the minutes that follow. Between checking for injuries, documenting what happened, and deciding who to contact, it helps to understand the steps to take after a hit-and-run accident, which steps matter most, and why they should be taken in a specific order.
Surviving a hit-and-run accident often leaves victims with more questions than answers. One second, everything is normal. The next second, you are dealing with damaged property, possible injuries, and the shock and frustration of watching the person responsible disappear without stopping. That sudden confusion is what makes these accidents so unsettling to the victims. There is no exchange of information. No explanation. No immediate sense of accountability.
Just the aftermath and stress of trying to figure out what to do next—all while adrenaline and confusion are still running high.
Hit-and-run accidents happen often enough that knowing how to respond matters. The steps you take immediately and in the days that follow can protect your health, preserve critical evidence, and help position you for recovery later.
12 Essential Things You Can Do
Ensure Your Safety First
Before documenting anything or making phone calls, focus on safety.
If you are still inside a vehicle, take a moment to assess your surroundings. If the car can be moved and remaining where you are puts you at risk, such as sitting in traffic or on a busy roadway, relocate to a safer nearby area if possible. Also, it’s important to turn on your hazard lights to stay visible.
If you were personally injured in the accident, move carefully away from direct traffic. However, do not rush to stand or walk if you feel dizzy or disoriented. Internal injuries and head trauma are not always apparent right away.
If you are with passengers, check on them as well. Even calm-appearing individuals may be injured—particularly children or older adults who may not speak up immediately.
Seek Medical Attention
The hit-and-run process should never be considered finished before proper medical attention is sought.
You may not feel any problems, but the injuries may manifest themselves hours or days later. Immediate symptoms do not always accompany whiplash, soft-tissue injuries, and concussions. Requesting an assessment provides a clear medical history of how you got your condition in relation to the accident.
Speak up to medical providers about all symptoms, including those that may seem insignificant. What may seem irrelevant at the beginning may become more relevant as one recovers.
Remain at the Scene
Leaving the scene too soon can create complications.
Unless you require immediate medical transport, remain at the location until police arrive and advise you that it is okay to leave. Staying allows officers to document the scene accurately and speak with witnesses while memories are fresh.
Use this time to review your notes and photos calmly, rather than relying on memory later.
Write Down Vehicle Details
Assuming you saw the fleeing vehicle, write down everything you remember as soon as possible.
Color, make, model, body type, damage, or other distinguishing marks can prove to be very useful. Even partial license plate data or the direction the car was moving can help investigators.
Remember anything about the behavior of the driver (driving too fast or too slowly, swerving, braking without reason, etc.). These observations can be used to recreate how the accident happened.
Gather Any Physical Evidence
If it is safe to do so, collect physical evidence left at the scene.
This may include broken vehicle parts, paint fragments, or debris that could help identify the vehicle involved. Place items in a bag or container and handle them only as needed.
If police collect items, ask where they will be logged and whether photographs can be taken for your records before the evidence is secured.
Record Photos and Videos in Detail
After ensuring your own and others’ safety, start recording the scene.
Record the damage on the vehicle, the debris, the skid marks, the condition of the road, the road signs, and the surrounding environment using your cell phone to capture photos and videos. Use wide-angle shots to reveal the entire scene and close-up shots to illustrate specific details. If you have visible injuries, take pictures of them as well.
If possible, make a short video of walking around the area and explain what has happened. Oral presentations help to preserve information that could be lost over time.
When using a phone that supports it, turn on location services so timestamps and GPS information are automatically added. The added metadata can work silently to enhance the credibility of your documentation in case of future questions.
Look for Witnesses
In hit-and-run cases, witnesses may be pivotal, particularly when the other driver has not yet been identified.
Search in the immediate vicinity to find someone who might have witnessed the accident or the escaping car. This may involve motorists who have pulled over, pedestrians, neighbors, or employees at local companies. Request names and contact details, and whether they would be cooperative with the police.
If anyone appears reluctant, kindly remind them that even a simple word would help. You are not asking them to pick sides—just to tell what they saw at the moment.
Check for Surveillance Cameras
Many accidents are captured on camera, even when they are not immediately apparent.
Take note of traffic cameras as well as cameras at gas stations, apartment complexes, office buildings, or retail stores that may have security cameras facing the roadway. These systems often capture more information than people realize.
Write down business names or street addresses near each camera location. This makes it easier for law enforcement or legal professionals to request footage before it is overwritten or erased, which can happen quickly.
Record a Timeline of the Accident
Establishing a timeline can help you organize what has happened while the information is still fresh in your mind.
Note the place of origin, place of destination, time of the day, weather, and the events that happened just before and after the accident. Insert the date of police arrival, date of medical attention, and any follow-up measures.
It is essential to update this timeline with new information to ensure everything is clear and nothing is forgotten later.
File a Police Report
Reporting your hit-and-run accident to law enforcement as soon as possible is crucial.
Depending on the case, call 911 or your local non-emergency number. Officers will come and assess the situation calmly and clearly. Give every detail you recollect, including those that seem incomplete or fuzzy.
Ensure that a formal report is prepared and request how to receive a copy when it is available. This report usually serves as the basis for insurance claims and further legal action.
You can also ask the responding officer how the accident will be classified and whether you can add information later if new details are discovered.
Get in Touch with Your Insurance Company
Inform your insurance company within the shortest time possible.
Describe that it was a hit-and-run and give the number of the police report if you have it. Stick to the facts and avoid speculation. You may receive “uninsured motorist” or “collision” coverage depending on your policy.
Write down the names of the people you talked to at the insurance company, the date of the call, and the topic of the discussion. Such details can help avoid confusion if questions are asked weeks or months later.
Consult a Personal Injury Attorney
Hit-and-run accidents often involve unanswered questions, missing information, and complicated insurance issues.
A personal injury attorney can help coordinate communication, review insurance responses for red flags, and explain how state and local laws may affect your case based on the particular facts surrounding your accident.
Consulting with a well-informed personal injury attorney can help clarify your options, protect your rights, and ensure critical deadlines are met. Legal guidance can also reduce the risk of costly missteps while you focus on healing and moving forward.
Call Nelson Law Group today!!
Nelson Law Group, PC brings over two decades of experience to each personal injury case we handle. We have extensive bench and jury trial experience in personal injuries arising from a variety of causes that result in a wide array of injuries. Also, we will devise a comprehensive strategy based on our years of experience, intuitive legal skill, and the desired outcome of your case. We will be available to answer your questions or address your concerns as they arise.
If you have been injured in an accident where someone else is at fault, contact us today to discuss your situation and get the information you need to make informed decisions moving forward. Give our knowledgeable staff here at Nelson Law Group a call if you have any further questions regarding this or any other issue. Our staff is always available.
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