If you are in a hit-and-run accident, the steps are to get to safety and check for injuries, call 911 to report it, gather every detail you can about the fleeing vehicle, and document the scene before evidence disappears. Reporting a hit-and-run promptly is important both for your safety and for any insurance claim or police investigation that follows.
A driver leaving the scene turns an already stressful crash into a confusing one. Knowing what to do in the moments after and what information matters most gives you the best chance of a useful report and a clear path forward.
Get to Safety and Check for Injuries
Before anything else, make sure you and any passengers are safe. If your vehicle is drivable and sitting in traffic, move it to the shoulder or a nearby lot, and turn on your hazard lights. Then check yourself and others for injuries.
Resist the urge to chase the fleeing driver. Pursuit is dangerous, can lead to a second crash, and takes you away from the scene where police will need to find you. Staying put and focusing on safety and documentation serves you far better than a risky chase.
Call 911 and Report the Crash
Calling 911 brings police to document the hit-and-run and, if needed, medical help. A hit-and-run is a crime, and an official report is the foundation of any investigation and any insurance claim. Give the dispatcher your location and a clear account of what happened.
Tell the responding officer everything you remember about the other vehicle and the direction it fled. The sooner police have these details, the better the chance of identifying the driver. An official report also documents that you did the right thing by reporting promptly.
Gather Details About the Fleeing Vehicle
The information you capture in the first minutes can make or break an investigation. Try to recall and write down the license plate, even a partial one, along with the vehicle’s make, model, and color. Note any distinctive features like damage, stickers, or a dealer frame.
Direction of travel matters too. The way the vehicle fled helps police narrow their search and check nearby cameras. If you only caught a glimpse, record whatever you are sure of rather than guessing, since accurate partial details are more useful than confident wrong ones.
| Detail to capture | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| License plate, even partial | The single most useful identifier |
| Make, model, and color | Narrows the vehicle in a search |
| Direction of travel | Guides police and camera checks |
| Distinctive damage or marks | Helps match a suspect vehicle |
Look for Witnesses and Cameras
Other people may have seen what you missed. Ask anyone nearby what they observed and collect their names and contact information. A witness who caught the full plate or saw the crash clearly can be invaluable to an investigation.
Cameras are increasingly part of the picture. Nearby businesses, traffic cameras, doorbell cameras, and dashcams may have recorded the crash or the fleeing vehicle. Note where these cameras are so police know where to look, and mention them to the responding officer.
Document the Scene
Photograph everything before the scene changes. Capture the damage to your vehicle, its position, debris, skid marks, and any paint transfer from the other car. Wide shots that show the overall layout and close-ups of specific damage both help tell the story.
Write down the time, location, weather, and lighting while the details are fresh. If you were injured, note that too, and seek medical care promptly. Thorough documentation supports both the police investigation and your insurance claim, especially when the other driver cannot be found.
Reporting and Insurance After a Hit-and-Run
Notify your insurer promptly and provide the police report number once you have it. When the at-fault driver is never identified, certain coverages on your own policy may apply, so it is worth asking your insurer what options exist for an unidentified or uninsured driver. Provide a factual account and let the process work.
Getting a copy of the official report is often the next practical step. You can file a free police report for hit and run assistance and have someone help you locate the responding agency. Staying aware of local incidents through hit-and-run accident reports near you can also be useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a hit-and-run?
Get to safety, check for injuries, and call 911 to report it. Then gather details about the fleeing vehicle and document the scene before the evidence disappears.
Should I chase the driver who hit me and fled?
No. Chasing is dangerous, can cause a second crash, and takes you away from the scene where police need to reach you. Focus on safety and documentation instead.
What information helps police find a hit-and-run driver?
The license plate, even a partial one, plus the vehicle’s make, model, color, direction of travel, and any distinctive damage or markings.
Does insurance cover a hit-and-run?
It can. When the at-fault driver is not identified, certain coverages on your own policy may apply, so ask your insurer what options exist for an unidentified driver.
Is a hit-and-run a crime?
Yes. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime, which is why prompt reporting to police and a thorough account are so important.
Help Getting Your Hit-and-Run Report
If you are dealing with the aftermath of a hit-and-run, Local Accident Reports offers no-cost support around the clock with requesting your report and identifying the agency that took the call. Reach the team directly for help with your report.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Content reviewed by Hernan Beresnak, Lead Editor, Local Accident Reports.
The information provided by Local Accident Reports is for general informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Local Accident Reports is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. Use of this website does not create an attorney-client relationship.
