Caught in a Hit-and-Run? Here’s What to Do Next

Posted on Feb. 13th, 2025

It happens in an instant—a car slams into yours and speeds away before you can even react. Whether you’re dealing with damage to your vehicle or, worse, injuries, a hit-and-run accident is a frustrating and overwhelming experience. In the moment, shock and confusion can make it difficult to think clearly, but knowing the right steps to take can make all the difference. From gathering crucial details at the scene to working with a private investigator to track down the driver, acting quickly increases your chances of holding the responsible party accountable. If you find yourself the victim of a hit-and-run, here’s what you need to do to protect yourself, recover damages, and get the justice you deserve.

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

The moments after a hit-and-run can be chaotic, but taking a deep breath and staying as composed as possible is the first step. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries, even minor ones. Adrenaline can mask pain, so even if you feel fine initially, it’s important to be cautious. If you or anyone else is seriously hurt, call 911 immediately and request medical assistance. Your health and safety come first, so don’t attempt to chase the other vehicle—this could put you at even greater risk.

Once you’ve determined that it’s safe to move, assess the damage to your vehicle. Even if the impact seemed minor, take note of any visible dents, scratches, or broken parts. If the car is drivable, move it to a safer location away from traffic to avoid further accidents. However, if the damage is severe, it’s best to leave the vehicle where it is and wait for law enforcement to arrive. Staying calm and focusing on what you can control in the aftermath will set the stage for gathering the evidence you need.

Gather as Much Information as Possible

Every second counts after a hit-and-run, and the more details you can remember, the better. Try to recall any distinguishing features of the fleeing vehicle, such as its make, model, color, or any noticeable damage. Even a partial license plate number can be a game-changer when it comes to tracking down the driver. If there were any identifying stickers, decals, or unique characteristics like tinted windows or loud exhaust pipes, make note of those as well. Anything you can remember, no matter how small, could be the key to finding the other party.

If there were any witnesses nearby, ask for their contact information and see if they can describe what they saw. Sometimes, people catch details you might have missed, like a clearer view of the license plate or which direction the car fled. Security cameras from nearby businesses, homes, or traffic lights might have also captured the incident. The sooner you can collect these details and share them with law enforcement or an investigator, the better your chances of identifying the driver.

Call the Police and File an Accident Report

Even if the other driver is long gone, reporting the hit-and-run to the police is crucial. In many states, leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense, and having a formal report on file can help your case if you need to make an insurance claim or take legal action. When speaking with officers, provide every detail you remember about the accident, including the exact time, location, and direction the other vehicle was headed. If you were able to gather witness statements or any surveillance footage, share that information with them as well.

The police will document the scene and may even begin an investigation if there is enough information to go on. Be sure to request a copy of the accident report—you may need it for your insurance company or any legal proceedings that follow. Even if you think the chances of finding the driver are slim, having everything documented increases your chances of getting justice and recovering damages.

Take Photos and Document the Scene

While waiting for law enforcement, take the opportunity to document everything. Pull out your phone and snap pictures of your vehicle from multiple angles, making sure to capture all visible damage. If any parts of the other car were left behind—like paint transfer, broken lights, or a fallen bumper—photograph those as well. These could serve as evidence that helps identify the vehicle that hit you.

It’s also important to take pictures of the surrounding area, including traffic signs, road conditions, and any cameras that might have recorded the incident. If you can, write down a timeline of what happened while it’s still fresh in your mind. The more details you have, the stronger your case will be when it comes to dealing with insurance companies or hiring a private investigator to track down the driver.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Even though the other driver is unknown, you still need to report the hit-and-run to your insurance provider. Many policies include uninsured motorist coverage, which may help cover the costs of vehicle repairs or medical expenses if the at-fault party isn’t found. Be sure to provide your insurance company with all the evidence you’ve gathered, including photos, witness statements, and the police report.

Insurance claims can be complicated, and some providers require a hit-and-run to be reported within a specific timeframe to qualify for coverage. If you’re unsure of what your policy includes, ask your agent about your options. The more thorough you are in providing information, the smoother the claims process will be.

Check for Security Footage

In today’s world, cameras are everywhere, and they could be your best chance at identifying the driver. Nearby businesses, homes, or traffic lights may have surveillance footage that captured the accident. If the hit-and-run happened in a parking lot, the business might have cameras that recorded the other vehicle entering or leaving.

Many security systems automatically overwrite footage after a certain period, so act quickly. If you find potential footage, notify the police and request a copy. If you’re having trouble obtaining it, a private investigator can assist in gathering video evidence before it disappears.

Hire a Private Investigator to Track Down the Driver

If law enforcement is unable to locate the driver, hiring a private investigator can give you the extra edge. We specialize in license plate lookups, witness interviews, and surveillance, all of which can be critical in finding the person responsible. Even if you only have a partial plate number or a vehicle description, an investigator has access to resources that can narrow down the search.

Time is of the essence in these cases, and having a professional handle the investigation increases the chances of success. We work discreetly and efficiently to uncover evidence, verify details, and provide the answers you need. If you’re determined to find the driver who fled, let us take the lead and get you the facts.

Take Legal Action If Necessary

Once the driver is identified, you may need to pursue legal action to recover damages. A hit-and-run can lead to serious financial losses, from repair costs and medical bills to lost wages. Filing a lawsuit against the responsible party may be the only way to hold them accountable if insurance coverage isn’t enough.

Having solid evidence from police reports, surveillance footage, and private investigations strengthens your case in court. A skilled attorney can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. The key is to gather as much information as possible and act quickly to ensure justice is served.

A hit-and-run accident can leave you feeling frustrated and helpless, but taking the right steps can turn the situation around. From gathering evidence and filing a police report to working with a private investigator to track down the driver, every action you take increases your chances of resolving the case. At All About The Facts, LLC, we specialize in helping victims get the answers they need through license plate lookups, surveillance, and investigative research. If you’re dealing with a hit-and-run and need expert help, call us today at (417) 895-0003—we’ll get to the bottom of it.