When the Other Driver Leaves, or Has No Insurance
Being hit by a driver who drives away, or who turns out to have no insurance, can leave you feeling stuck. You were hurt through no fault of your own, and there seems to be no one to pay.
You may still have options. In many cases, your own auto policy includes uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which can pay for injuries caused by a driver who is uninsured, underinsured, or can't be found. The Crash Carson team reviews every policy that might apply and handles the claim for you.
What To Do After a Hit-and-Run
- Call 911 right away. A prompt police report matters even more when the other driver is gone.
- Write down what you remember: the car's color, make, any part of the license plate, and which way it went.
- Look for witnesses and cameras: nearby businesses, doorbell cameras and other drivers' dash cams.
- Get medical care, even if you feel fine.
- Talk to a lawyer before you give a recorded statement, even to your own insurer.
See our full checklist: What To Do After a Car Accident
How Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims Work
Uninsured drivers
If the at-fault driver has no insurance, your UM coverage may pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, up to your policy limits.
Underinsured drivers
If the other driver's insurance is too small to cover your injuries, your own coverage may help make up the difference.
Your insurer is not on your side in a UM claim
In a UM claim, you are asking your own insurance company to pay. They may still try to minimize the claim. Having a lawyer handle it can make a difference.
Learn more: Car Accident Insurance Claims and Settlements
Rideshare, work and company vehicles
If the car that hit you was driving for Uber, Lyft, or a business, other insurance policies may apply. See: Rideshare Accidents.
If you believe the driver who hit you had been drinking or using drugs, tell the police. See: Drunk Driver Accidents.
Proving a Hit-and-Run When the Driver Is Never Found
If the driver who hit you is never identified, your UM coverage may still apply. But Georgia and Tennessee both have extra proof rules for these claims.
In Georgia
Georgia law generally requires actual physical contact between the unknown driver's vehicle and you or your vehicle. If there was no contact, for example if a driver forced you off the road and kept going, your account of what happened must be backed up by an eyewitness other than you. The accident also has to be reported as Georgia law requires.
In Tennessee
Tennessee law generally requires either actual physical contact with the unknown vehicle or clear and convincing evidence that the other driver existed. That evidence can't come only from the people who were in your car.
This is why calling 911, finding witnesses and saving camera footage right away matters so much.
Investigation
We gather the police report, photos, witness statements and medical records, and we look at who owned the vehicles involved and whether the other driver was working at the time.
We Deal With the Insurance Companies
Once we take your case, we handle communication with the insurance companies for you. You do not have to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer.
Free Consultation, Contingency Fee
Your first consultation is free. We take injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee comes from what we recover for you.
What Happens When You Call Us
Hit-and-run and uninsured driver claims usually run through your own insurance policy. Here is how we handle them.
- Free consultation. Tell us what happened. We listen, answer your questions and explain your options. There is no cost to talk with us.
- No upfront fees. If we take your case, we work on a contingency fee basis. We never ask for attorney's fees or a retainer up front.
- Investigation. We gather the police report, photos, witness statements and medical records, and we look at every insurance policy that could apply.
- We handle the insurance companies. Calls, paperwork and requests for recorded statements come to us, so you can focus on getting better.
- Demand and negotiation. Once the full picture of your injuries is clear, we present your claim to the insurance company and negotiate for a fair settlement.
- Ready for trial if needed. Most accident injury cases are settled without going to court. If the insurer won't make a fair offer, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.
Hit by a driver who fled or had no insurance? Tell us what happened and we'll review your coverage at a free consultation.
Questions We Hear Often
What if the police never find the driver?
You may still be able to make a claim under your own UM coverage. We can review your policy at a free consultation.
Is there a deadline?
Yes. Georgia's statute of limitations for injury claims is generally two years and Tennessee's is generally one year, and insurance policies can have their own notice requirements. Don't wait.
Should I get a lawyer for a hit-and-run accident?
If you were hurt, it's worth a free consultation. These claims usually go through your own insurance company, and your insurer may still try to keep the claim small. We can review your policy and explain your options.
Is it hard to prove a hit-and-run?
It can be. Without the other driver, the claim depends on evidence such as the police report, the damage to your car, witnesses and video. Georgia and Tennessee also have special proof rules when the driver is never found, explained above.
How much can I recover after a hit-and-run?
It depends on your injuries and the coverage available, especially your own uninsured motorist limits. A UM claim can include medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering, up to your policy limits.
How long does a hit-and-run claim take?
There's no set timeline. A claim can take longer while the police are still looking for the driver, while you are still in treatment, or if the insurer disputes the claim. What matters most is not settling before you know the full cost of your injuries.
How much does a hit-and-run lawyer cost?
Your consultation is free. If we take your case, we work on a contingency fee basis, so our fee comes from what we recover for you.