Being hurt in a crash is bad enough. Watching the at-fault driver speed away adds a layer of anger and fear: if we can't find them, who pays for my injuries? The good news is that a hit-and-run does not end your claim — it changes how the claim is built.
First, at the scene: call 911 immediately and get medical attention. Tell the police everything you remember about the fleeing vehicle — color, make, partial plate, direction of travel, damage it likely sustained. Ask witnesses to stay and give statements. Nearby businesses and homes often have cameras that capture the vehicle; that footage is frequently overwritten within days, so it must be requested fast.
If the driver is identified — and many are, through cameras, paint transfer, debris, or tips — the claim proceeds like any other crash case, often with the added weight of the driver's flight as evidence of consciousness of fault. Leaving the scene of an injury crash is a crime in Florida, Georgia, and New York.
If the driver is never found, your own policy becomes the path to recovery. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage steps into the shoes of the phantom driver and pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, up to your policy limits. In Florida, your PIP coverage also pays initial medical costs regardless of fault.
A warning: even though UM claims are made against your own insurer, your insurer's interests are adverse to yours in that claim. Adjusters scrutinize hit-and-run UM claims aggressively. Report the crash promptly, follow your policy's notice requirements, and be careful with recorded statements.
We help hit-and-run victims track down fleeing drivers and, when they can't be found, pursue every dollar of available UM coverage. If you've been hit in Florida, Georgia, or New York, contact us for a free consultation before you talk to any adjuster.
