You come back to your car in a Visalia parking lot and find a crumpled bumper with no note. Or worse, another driver sideswipes you on Highway 198 and speeds off. Hit-and-run accidents are frustrating and stressful, and they raise immediate questions about who pays.
If you're searching "hit and run what to do," this guide covers the steps to take right away, the California reporting deadlines that can affect your coverage, and how uninsured motorist and collision coverage work when the other driver is never found.
Key Takeaways
Never chase a fleeing driver. Stay safe, call 911 if anyone is hurt, and write down every detail you can remember.
Report the hit-and-run to police or the CHP within 24 hours. It can be a condition of your uninsured motorist coverage.
In California, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage can apply to hit-and-run injuries if there was physical contact with the other vehicle.
Uninsured motorist property damage coverage generally requires the at-fault driver or vehicle to be identified, so collision coverage is usually what pays for your car when the driver is never found.
Notify your insurer quickly and keep all photos, reports, and medical records.
Hit and Run: What to Do Right Away
1. Stay Safe and Don't Chase
It's natural to want to follow the other driver, but chasing them puts you and others at risk. Pull over somewhere safe and turn on your hazard lights.
2. Check for Injuries and Call 911
If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Get checked by a doctor even if you feel okay, since some injuries show up later.
3. Write Down Everything You Remember
Details fade quickly, so capture them right away:
License plate number (even a partial plate helps)
Make, model, and color of the vehicle
Direction the vehicle went
Description of the driver
Time and exact location
4. Photograph the Damage and Scene
Take photos of your car, any paint transfer or debris left behind, the surrounding area, and your injuries. Look around for businesses or homes with security or doorbell cameras that may have caught the incident.
5. Find Witnesses
Ask anyone nearby what they saw and get their names and phone numbers. Witness statements can help police identify the driver and support your claim.
6. Report It to Police or the CHP
File a police report as soon as possible, ideally from the scene. Under California law, the timing matters: to use uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage for a hit-and-run, you generally must report the accident to police or the CHP within 24 hours. Be sure to get the report number. The California Department of Insurance also has a helpful guide on what to do after any accident.
7. Contact Your Insurance Agent
Call your agent to start a claim. California law also sets a deadline for hit-and-run bodily injury claims under uninsured motorist coverage (generally 30 days to submit a sworn statement to your insurer), so don't wait.
How Your Insurance Responds When the Driver Is Never Found
If police can't identify the driver, your own policy becomes your main source of recovery. Which coverages apply depends on what you carry.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI): Pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In a hit-and-run, it applies when there was physical contact with the fleeing vehicle and the accident was reported on time.
Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD): Pays for damage to your car, up to $3,500. It generally requires the at-fault driver or vehicle to be identified, so it often won’t help if the driver is never found.
Collision: Pays for repairs to your car, minus your deductible. This is usually the main coverage for vehicle damage in an unsolved hit-and-run.
Medical payments: Pays medical bills for you and your passengers, regardless of fault, up to your limit.
Rental reimbursement: Covers a rental car while yours is in the shop, if your claim is covered and you carry this option.
If you only carry California's minimum liability coverage, none of these apply automatically. Liability only covers damage you cause to others, which leaves you paying for your own repairs and injuries in a hit-and-run.
Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage Matters in California
California insurers are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage, and you must reject it in writing if you don't want it. We generally encourage drivers to think carefully before declining it. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you in two common situations:
You're hit by a driver who has no insurance at all.
You're injured by a hit-and-run driver who is never identified.
Industry estimates suggest that somewhere between 15% and 20% of California drivers are uninsured, and hit-and-run drivers often flee precisely because they lack coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is typically inexpensive compared to the protection it provides.
What If Police Find the Driver?
If the other driver is identified and insured, their liability coverage should pay for your damages. If they're identified but uninsured, your UMPD coverage can help with vehicle damage (up to $3,500), and some policies include a collision deductible waiver in that situation. Your agent can help you sort out which claim to file first.
Will a Hit-and-Run Claim Raise My Rates?
If you weren't at fault, a hit-and-run claim generally shouldn't be treated as an at-fault accident. California insurers can only surcharge you for accidents where you were principally at fault. Keeping a police report on file helps document that you weren't responsible.
Review Your Coverage Before It Happens
Most people don't find out what their policy covers until after something goes wrong. At Abraham Guillen Insurance, we've helped Central Valley drivers for more than 28 years, and we're happy to walk through your uninsured motorist and collision coverage with you. Learn more about our auto insurance options or contact our Visalia office at (559) 839-2020.
FAQ
Is it a crime to leave the scene of an accident in California?
Yes. California law requires drivers to stop, exchange information, and report injury accidents. Leaving the scene can bring criminal charges, even for property damage only.
What if someone hit my parked car and left a note?
That's good news. Contact the driver and their insurance company. Their liability coverage should pay for your repairs.
Does uninsured motorist coverage cover a hit-and-run with no contact?
In California, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage generally requires physical contact with the other vehicle. If a driver ran you off the road without touching your car, coverage may be limited, so report it and talk with your agent.
How long do I have to report a hit-and-run to my insurance?
Report it as soon as possible. For uninsured motorist bodily injury claims, California generally requires police notice within 24 hours and a written statement to your insurer within 30 days.