One second there's the crunch of metal. The next, the other car is pulling away. It's infuriating, and it happens more often than most people think.
In 2023, a driver fled the scene in more than 900,000 police-reported crashes in the United States, about one in seven, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Those crashes injured more than 240,000 people. (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety)
Don't chase them
It's tempting, but following the other car puts you and everyone around you at risk. Stay put, get somewhere safe, and call 911, especially if anyone is hurt.
Catch what you can
While it's fresh, note everything you saw:
- The license plate, even part of it.
- The make, model, and color of the car.
- Any damage on their car, and which way they went.
- What the driver looked like, if you saw them.
Look for witnesses and cameras
Ask people nearby what they saw, and get their names and numbers before they leave. Look around for cameras: businesses, doorbells, traffic lights. Footage is often recorded over, so ask about it quickly.
Report it right away
Call the police and file a report as soon as you can. A report gives investigators something to work with, and your insurance company will likely ask for it.
Check your own coverage
When the other driver can't be found, help may come from your own policy. Many auto policies include uninsured motorist coverage, which may apply to hit-and-run crashes. Check your policy, or ask an attorney what applies to you.
Let the app hold the details
When your hands are shaking, details slip. Tap GET HELP NOW in YourLegal.app and it walks you through it: photos of anything you can capture, the other car's details, witnesses, and your own account. It saves where and when it happened, even with no signal.
General information, not legal advice. YourLegal.app is not a law firm. Disclaimer
