What to do after a hit-and-run

A driver leaving the scene is jarring and stressful. This guide gives you a clear sequence — starting with your safety, then capturing the details that help police and your insurer.

Emergency: If this is an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Stay safe and call 911 if anyone is hurt

Your safety comes first. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt or in danger. Move to a safe spot away from traffic and turn on your hazard lights. A hit-and-run can be jarring, so take a breath before doing anything else.

💡 When in doubt about injuries, call for medical help.

Do not chase the other driver

It's natural to want to follow the driver who left, but chasing is dangerous and can put you and others at risk. Stay at the scene, stay calm, and focus on capturing details and contacting police instead.

Note every detail you can about the vehicle

As quickly as you can, write down or record anything you remember: the license plate (even a partial one), the make, model, and color of the vehicle, any distinctive damage or markings, and the direction it went. Even small details can help investigators.

💡 A partial plate plus make, model, and color is still genuinely useful.

Photograph the scene and your damage

Take wide photos of the scene and close-ups of the damage to your vehicle, along with any debris the other car left behind (paint transfer or broken parts can help identify it). Capture road signs and landmarks that fix the location.

Look for witnesses and cameras

Ask anyone nearby if they saw what happened and get their contact information. Look around for traffic cameras, business security cameras, and doorbell cameras that might have recorded the vehicle. Note their locations so police can follow up.

File a police report

Report the hit-and-run to the police and get the report or incident number. A police report is generally needed for an insurance claim after a hit-and-run, and it starts any investigation. Provide all the details and photos you gathered.

💡 See our police report guide for how to obtain the finished report later.

Notify your insurer

Contact your insurance company and let them know it was a hit-and-run. Depending on your policy, coverage such as uninsured motorist or collision may apply when the other driver can't be identified. Ask your insurer what your coverage includes and what they need from you.

Keep your records together

Save the police report number, your photos, witness contacts, and any correspondence with your insurer in one place. Because the other driver may be unknown, thorough documentation is especially important here.

Not professional advice: This information is for general educational purposes only and is not legal, medical, insurance, or professional advice.

Related guides: how to get a police report, insurance claims, and photos to take. For your local report portal, find your city.

Common questions

Will insurance cover a hit-and-run?

It can, depending on your policy. Coverages such as uninsured motorist or collision may apply when the at-fault driver can't be identified, though details, limits, and deductibles vary. A police report is generally needed. Ask your insurer exactly what your policy covers.

What if I only got a partial license plate?

A partial plate is still worth reporting. Combined with the vehicle's make, model, color, and any distinctive damage, a partial plate can help police narrow things down. Write down everything you remember as soon as possible, before details fade.

Is a hit-and-run a crime?

Generally, leaving the scene of a crash without stopping and exchanging information or reporting it is against the law. The specific offenses and penalties vary by state and depend on the circumstances, such as whether anyone was injured. This is general information, not legal advice.

Should I post about it on social media?

It's usually best to be cautious. Sharing publicly can sometimes surface a witness, but it can also complicate an investigation or a claim. Report it to police and your insurer first, and consider checking with them before posting details online.

File and follow up locally

Your city hub links the local police report portal so you can request the finished report for your claim.

Find Your City Police Report Guide