Practical Steps to Protect Your Safety, Preserve Evidence, and Start the Insurance Claims Process
A hit-and-run accident can leave you feeling shocked, frustrated, and unsure of what to do next. One moment, you’re involved in a collision, and the next, the other driver is leaving the scene without providing their name, insurance information, or help.
Although it may be tempting to follow the fleeing vehicle, doing so can create additional danger. Your immediate priorities should be protecting yourself and your passengers, contacting law enforcement, documenting the accident, and obtaining appropriate medical care.
Move to Safety and Check for Injuries
If your vehicle is blocking traffic and can be moved safely, pull over to a nearby shoulder, parking lot, or other secure location. Turn on your hazard lights and remain aware of passing vehicles.
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call 911 when anyone is hurt, the vehicles are creating a traffic hazard, or the other driver’s conduct presents an immediate threat.
Some injuries aren’t obvious in the first few minutes after a crash. Adrenaline can temporarily mask pain, so pay attention to symptoms that develop later, including headaches, dizziness, neck pain, back pain, numbness, or confusion.
Don’t Chase the Fleeing Driver
Trying to follow the other vehicle can place you and others at risk. A pursuit may lead to speeding, distracted driving, another collision, or a confrontation with someone whose behavior is unpredictable.
Instead, write down or record everything you can remember, including:
- The vehicle’s make, model, and color
- Its license plate number, including any partial numbers or letters
- Visible damage to the vehicle
- The direction in which it traveled
- The driver’s appearance
- The number and appearance of any passengers
- The time and precise location of the collision
Even incomplete information may help law enforcement locate the vehicle or connect it to surveillance footage.
Call Law Enforcement Promptly
Report the collision as soon as possible and tell the dispatcher that the other driver left the scene. Louisiana law requires drivers involved in certain crashes to notify local police, a sheriff’s office, or the Louisiana State Police, depending on where the crash occurred. This requirement applies when a crash results in an injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage.
When officers arrive, provide a factual account of what happened. Avoid guessing about details you don’t know. Ask how to obtain the crash report and write down the report number before leaving the scene.
Louisiana also defines hit-and-run driving as intentionally failing to stop, provide identification, and render reasonable assistance after a driver knows or should know that their vehicle was involved in an accident. Penalties may become substantially more serious when the crash results in death or serious bodily injury.
Document the Accident Scene
Photographs and video can preserve details that may disappear once the vehicles are moved, debris is cleared, or road conditions change.
When it is safe, document:
- Damage to your vehicle
- The point of impact
- Debris, broken glass, and skid marks
- Traffic signals and road signs
- Weather and lighting conditions
- Nearby homes, businesses, and intersections
- Any visible injuries
Look for nearby doorbell cameras, traffic cameras, security systems, or businesses that may have recorded the collision. Make a note of their locations so law enforcement or an attorney can request the footage promptly. Many recording systems automatically erase older footage after a limited period.
Understanding the recommended steps to take after a hit and run accident can help you create a clearer record while the details are still fresh.
Speak With Witnesses
Ask anyone who saw the accident to provide their name, phone number, and email address. A witness may have noticed the license plate, seen where the vehicle went, or observed conduct that you missed while responding to the impact.
Don’t rely on a witness promising to contact the police later. Collect their information yourself when possible, and provide it to the responding officer.
Witness statements can become especially important when the fleeing driver is never identified or when an insurance company questions how the collision occurred.
Seek Medical Attention
Obtain emergency care immediately for serious symptoms. Even when you don’t need an ambulance, consider being evaluated by a healthcare professional if you experience pain, limited movement, dizziness, or other concerning symptoms.
Medical care is important for your health, but it also creates documentation connecting your injuries to the accident. Delaying treatment may make it more difficult to determine whether a condition resulted from the crash.
Keep copies of medical records, prescriptions, treatment instructions, receipts, and bills. Continue following your healthcare provider’s recommendations and attend scheduled follow-up appointments.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurer promptly and explain that the crash involved an unidentified or fleeing driver. Provide the police report number, photographs, witness information, and any other documentation requested.
Coverage may depend on the terms of your policy. Uninsured motorist coverage may apply in some hit-and-run cases, while collision coverage may help address vehicle damage. Medical Payments coverage, commonly called MedPay, may assist with certain medical expenses when included in the policy.
Avoid making assumptions about which coverage applies until the policy has been reviewed. Policy language, deductibles, reporting requirements, and available evidence can all affect the claim.
Keep an Organized Accident File
Create one folder for everything associated with the collision. Include:
- The police report and report number
- Photographs and video
- Witness contact information
- Medical records and bills
- Repair estimates
- Rental-car receipts
- Records of missed work
- Insurance correspondence
- Notes from phone conversations
After each call with an insurer, write down the date, the representative’s name, and what was discussed. Organized records can make it easier to answer questions and track the progress of the claim.
Moving Forward After a Hit-and-Run
A hit-and-run accident can feel especially unfair because the responsible driver failed to remain at the scene. Still, there are practical steps you can take to protect yourself.
Move to safety, call law enforcement, document everything you can, speak with witnesses, seek medical care, and notify your insurance company. Acting promptly may help officers identify the fleeing vehicle and may provide stronger support for any insurance or injury claim that follows.
Even when the other driver is never located, available insurance coverage and carefully preserved evidence may provide a path forward.
