It’s shocking when it happens. Someone hits your car and drives off quickly. You don’t get a plate number, so you ask yourself, “someone hit my car and left. Now what?” The good news is that you have options, and one of them is to file a claim with your auto insurance provider.
What to Do If Someone Left the Scene of an Accident
If someone hits your car and drives off, you need to gather as much evidence as possible. First, photograph your vehicle and the surrounding area and write down as many details as you can. These include the time and date, location of the car, and the amount of damage. Then, record the information of any other vehicles at the scene. Next, speak to any witnesses. Their testimony can be valuable if the police files hit and run charges against the perpetrator.
After you gather the evidence, provide it to the police and file a report. They will investigate the accident and attempt to find the other driver.
Finally, contact your insurance company and report the accident. They might ask for the same evidence you gave to the police.
Do You Have to Pay Your Deductible If It Was a Hit and Run?
If someone left the scene of the accident and can’t be identified, you might need to make a claim with your insurance company. If you need to do it on the uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage to pay for your injuries, you won’t be responsible for a deductible. You will have to pay a deductible if you use your collision coverage to fix your vehicle. You also might be on the hook for multiple deductibles if you make claims against your personal injury protection and collision coverage.
Does Liability Insurance Cover the Victim of a Hit and Run?
Unfortunately, liability insurance only covers damage to the other vehicle if you’re in an accident. You cannot file a claim on your liability insurance to pay for your damages. If the police catch the other driver and file hit and run charges, you can file a claim under their insurance.
Is Leaving the Scene of an Accident a Felony?
Leaving the scene of an accident can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on where you live and the accident circumstances. For instance, in California, leaving an accident scene is a misdemeanor if the hit and run didn’t cause injuries. If anyone besides the driver is hurt or killed, the perpetrator can be charged with a felony or misdemeanor.
Will You Be Covered After a Hit and Run?
There were 737,100 hit and run accidents in the United States in 2015. That made up 11.7 percent of all accidents. This number was far from an anomaly. Cases seem to increase by the year, so make sure you are covered in case anything happens. Contact a licensed insurance agent to review your policy. They can recommend changes if necessary as you will have the protection you need, even if someone leaves the scene of the accident.
At Freeway Insurance, your peace of mind is our priority. Protect yourself and your family today and get a free car insurance quote online, over the phone, or at one of our offices near you.
