Guide
Hit-and-Run Next Steps: Reports, UM Claims, and Cameras
Quick answer
What to do if the other driver leaves the scene of a crash.
Report promptly
Call police when safe. A report creates an official record and may help later if the vehicle is identified. Note direction of travel, partial plates, vehicle color, and distinctive damage.
Look for cameras without trespassing
Nearby businesses, transit cameras, and residential doorbells sometimes capture the other vehicle. Ask property owners if footage exists and how long it is retained — many systems overwrite within days.
Insurance paths
If the other driver is unidentified, uninsured motorist coverage (where available) and collision coverage are common claim paths. Your deductible and policy wording control the outcome.
Medical care still comes first
Even in a hit-and-run, document injuries. Delaying care makes it harder to show the crash caused your symptoms.