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What to Do After Being Involved In a Hit-And-Run Accident

A hit-and-run leaves victims in shock with injuries. At that moment, you remain uncertain of what to do next. Also, you may be unaware of who hit you because the other driver has already escaped. 

At that moment, your first priority should be your safety, then medical care, and then reporting the event with evidence. The disappearance of the other driver does not automatically end your ability to seek compensation. 

Depending on the circumstances, Utah law and your auto insurance coverage may provide options for recovering certain losses. Knowing what to do after a hit-and-run can help protect your health and claim. 

Steps To Follow After You Have Been Involved In A Hit-And-Run

In case of your involvement in a hit-and-run, follow these steps to protect your health and car accident claim:

1. Get to Safety and Check for Injuries

After a hit-and-run, secure yourself first. If possible, shift your car to a safe location and then visit the nearest healthcare professional and check for injuries. Call 911 for emergency help. Without proper medical care, even simple injuries can become serious. Don’t chase the driver who runs away; instead, record evidence. 

2. Report the Hit-and-Run

After medical assistance, quickly call one of these three law enforcement agencies (local police, the county sheriff, or the Utah Highway Patrol) and report the accident. Explain everything you remember in fair words. Even small details can help identify the other driver.

This includes:

Get your police report number and a copy of that report as official evidence during negotiations with insurers. Utah law requires drivers to stop and remain at the scene after crashes involving property damage, injury, or death.

3. Record Everything You Remember About the Fleeing Vehicle

Try to write down details while your memory is fresh. Record the vehicle’s:

Also record what you remember about the driver. Even a partial license plate can provide useful information. The same is true for an unusual vehicle color, body style, bumper damage, or other identifying feature.

4. Find Witnesses and Preserve Video Evidence

Other people and cameras may have seen something you may have missed during the accident. So, look for:

Category Potential Sources Key Action / Purpose
Witnesses • Eyewitnesses

• Other drivers

• Pedestrians

• Passengers

• Nearby workers

• Business employees

 Ask for their names and contact information (if safe to do so) to gather details you may have missed.
Camera Footage • Dashcams

• Traffic cameras

• Security / Business surveillance

• Doorbell cameras

• Cellphone recordings

 Check nearby properties and devices for video footage showing the collision or a fleeing vehicle.

5. Get Medical Attention and Document Your Injuries

Visit the nearest healthcare specialist immediately after the car accident to get a thorough medical checkup. At the spot, you may feel, “I’m ok.” but after some time, you may feel pain, headache, stiffness, etc. The reason is that your adrenaline hormone covers such injuries. During medical evaluation, keep a record of everything to be used to develop the connection between your current and previous condition. 

6. Notify Your Insurance Company

Your next step is usually to notify your auto insurance company. Check your policy for reporting requirements. Give the insurer accurate information about the crash. Avoid guessing about facts you do not know.

Keep copies of:

An insurance adjuster may ask for a recorded statement. You should understand what information is being requested before providing one.

7. Check Your PIP and Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Two insurance concepts should not be confused.

PIP is first-party coverage that can help with certain accident-related expenses under applicable Utah policies.

Utah insurance law requires qualifying motor vehicle policies to provide uninsured motorist coverage unless the insured has specifically rejected it.

In addition, Utah’s insurance law deals with underinsured motorist coverage and PIP. Most importantly, Utah’s uninsured motorist statute includes an unidentified motor vehicle that has fled the scene of an accident as an uninsured motor vehicle

That means an unidentified hit-and-run driver can potentially trigger uninsured motorist coverage. Coverage still depends on the applicable policy, facts, limits, and legal requirements.

8. Preserve All Evidence

Do not throw away documents connected to the crash. Keep them secure, and it includes:

Evidence Key Documents / Records
Accident Police report, photos/videos, witness details, dashcam/surveillance footage
Medical Medical records, treatment notes, bills, prescription receipts
Financial Pay stubs, employment records, lost wages, transportation expenses
Property Repair estimates, towing, storage, rental vehicle receipts
Insurance Policy docs, correspondence, adjuster notes, offers, denial letters

Together, these records can help establish what happened, what injuries occurred, and what losses resulted.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Hit-and-Run?

A hit-and-run does not just damage the vehicle but has serious effects on the victim’s life. Depending on the circumstances and available coverage, a claim may involve:

Economic losses

Non-economic losses

The available recovery depends on the evidence, applicable insurance coverage, injuries, losses, and Utah law.

What Happens If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Found?

A hit-and-run can involve both criminal and civil issues. If law enforcement pinpoints the driver who ran from the accident location, your recovery path splits into two distinct paths. Understanding the difference between the case types helps you avail the full compensation you deserve. 

Case Type Who Handles It Main Focus
Criminal Investigation Police & Prosecutors Punishing the driver with fines, license suspension, or jail time under Utah law.
Civil & Insurance Claim You, Insurance & Lawyers Proving fault and getting your medical bills, repairs, and lost wages paid.

What If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Never Found?

In most hit-and-run cases, this becomes a serious concern. An unidentified driver does not necessarily mean you have no potential insurance option.

Utah’s uninsured motorist statute expressly includes an unidentified vehicle that leaves the scene within its definition of an uninsured motor vehicle. You should therefore:

  1. Preserve the evidence you have.
  2. File the police report.
  3. Note down your injuries.
  4. Notify your insurer.
  5. Review your applicable insurance coverage.
  6. Keep records of your financial losses.

Know What Utah Law Says About Hit-and-Run Crashes

Utah’s current accident laws impose specific duties on drivers who are involved in an accident.

For property-damage-only accidents, Utah Code § 41-6a-401 addresses stopping, remaining at the scene, exchanging information, and notifying law enforcement when the apparent property damage reaches the statutory threshold.

For accidents involving injury or death, Utah Code § 41-6a-401.3 requires the driver to stop and remain at the scene. The potential criminal classification depends on the resulting injury and other circumstances.

These laws concern the driver’s duties and criminal consequences. They do not by themselves determine every question about an injured victim’s insurance claim.

Understand Legal Deadlines and Fault Issues

Statute of limitations

Legal deadlines can affect how long you have to bring a lawsuit. Utah has different limitation periods for different types of claims. For example, Utah Code § 78B-2-307 currently provides four years for certain motor-vehicle property-damage claims.

Uninsured motorist claims can also have their own statutory requirements. Utah Code § 31A-22-305 provides a four-year period for an action on a written uninsured motorist policy or contract.

Personal injury claims can involve different rules and exceptions. Do not assume that one deadline applies to every part of a hit-and-run claim.

Comparative fault

An insurer may also dispute how responsibility should be allocated. Comparative fault concerns whether the injured person contributed to the accident and how that fault affects damages. The facts and applicable Utah law determine how this issue applies to a particular claim.

When Should You Speak With a Utah Car Accident Lawyer?

Legal guidance may be useful when:

A car accident lawyer can review the available evidence, insurance coverage, medical records, and potential damages. The goal is to understand your options rather than assume that every hit-and-run case follows the same path. Hernandez Injury Law works with Utah residents handling personal injury claims, including situations involving serious vehicle crashes and insurance disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What penalties can follow a hit-and-run in Utah?

Penalties depend on the condition of the crash, such as property damage, injury, serious bodily injury, or death. Consequences may include fines and criminal charges.

2. How long does it take police to investigate?

There is no fixed time period because police investigations in a hit-and-run case depend on available evidence, leads, witnesses, and driver identification. 

3. What evidence can help prove a hit-and-run?

To provide hit and run, here is a list of useful evidence that includes:

4. Can I receive compensation for anxiety after a hit-and-run?

Possibly. Anxiety and other emotional distress may be considered as part of a personal injury claim when supported by the circumstances and evidence. Medical records, treatment history, and other documentation can help establish the nature and impact of the emotional harm.

5. Is a hit-and-run criminal or civil?

It can involve both. The criminal case concerns the driver’s conduct and potential penalties. A civil or insurance claim concerns the victim’s injuries, losses, and potential financial recovery.

6. Can I recover compensation if the driver is never found?

You may have potential recovery through applicable uninsured motorist coverage. The answer depends on your policy, the evidence, your injuries, and the circumstances of the crash.

Conclusion

After a hit-and-run, focus first on safety and medical care. Report the crash and preserve every piece of evidence you can, including vehicle details, witnesses’ info, camera footage, etc. Once you notify your insurance company, they’ll review your available coverage. An unidentified driver does not necessarily end your potential claim. Utah law specifically recognizes certain unidentified vehicles as uninsured vehicles for uninsured motorist coverage.

If your injuries are serious or your insurance claim becomes disputed, understanding your legal options early can help you make informed decisions. If you are unsure how your coverage applies or what steps to take next, Hernandez Injury Law can help you understand your options.

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