Hit and Run Claims

After spending the last hour in the grocery store, you push your cart out of the store and head towards your car. Suddenly, you notice a cargo van quickly backing up and heading straight for the front of your car. You yell for the driver to stop, but it’s too late.

The front of your car is now a crumpled mess. To make matters worse, the driver of the cargo van isn’t stopping. He’s turning the wheel and putting the van into drive. You quickly grab a pen and scribble the license plate number onto the palm of your hand. Next, you call the police.

While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, you locate two other people who witnessed the hit-and-run. They are both in a hurry, but provide you with their name and phone number so your insurance company can contact them and obtain their statements.

After filing the police report, you go home and put your groceries away. Then you call your insurance carrier, or visit their website to file your claim. But, before you file the claim you need to make certain you have the proper coverage.

If you don’t carry full coverage on your vehicle, chances are you aren’t covered for a hit-and-run accident. This doesn’t mean you can’t file a claim with the hit-and-run driver’s insurance company — if he’s insured.

To do this, you will need to file a police report and provide the authorities with the license plate number. You’ll also want to provide the names and contact information for those who witnessed the hit-and-run incident.

The police should be able to track the vehicle from the license plate number. Only then will you be able to determine if the driver has insurance or not. If he does not have insurance coverage and you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, the only recourse left is to file a complaint with your state’s District Attorney’s office. You will be required to provide proof of damages and a police report to initiate a restitution order against the driver.

If you are able to obtain the hit-and-run driver’s contact information, you can file a lawsuit against him in Small Claims Court.

If you have uninsured motorist coverage, it’s best to work with your own insurance carrier. They will work as your personal advocate and take the necessary steps to recover expenses from the hit-and-run driver or through his insurance company.
It’s important to remember that when you use your own insurance company to file a hit-and-run claim, you will be responsible to cover the deductible amount. Should you or your insurance company be able to recover expenses from the hit-and-run driver, you will be reimbursed for your deductible.

If you are unable to obtain the license plate number of the hit-and-run driver and you do not have full coverage or uninsured motorist insurance, you are basically out of luck. There is nothing for you to fall back on and you will have to pay for the damages to your vehicle out of your own pocket.
If you are unable to obtain the license plate number of the hit-and-run driver, and do have full coverage and uninsured motorist insurance, you will be able to file a hit-and-run claim. However, you will not be able to recoup the cost of your deduction.