What to Do Right After a Hit-and-Run Accident
Report the accident to police within 24 hours
Call the police non-emergency line (or 911 if anyone is injured) and file a report. This is not optional — South Carolina law requires you to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $400. A police report creates an official record that your insurance company will need, and it starts the process of finding the other driver if there are witnesses or traffic camera footage.
When you call, tell the dispatcher it was a hit-and-run. Give your location, the time it happened, and whether anyone needs medical attention. The police will send an officer to take your statement. Be honest about what you saw and did not see — if you did not get the other vehicle's license plate, say that. If you have dash cam footage or photos you took at the scene, mention it.
Ask for the police report number before you leave. You will need this to file an insurance claim. If the officer does not give it to you on the spot, ask when you can retrieve it online or by phone.
Key Takeaways
- File a police report within 24 hours, even if you think the damage is minor — your insurance company will require it.
- Document everything yourself: take photos of your vehicle damage, the accident scene, and any visible injuries, and write down what you remember while it is fresh.
- Notify your insurance company as soon as possible, and tell them it was a hit-and-run so they know to check your uninsured motorist coverage.
- If you have collision or comprehensive coverage, you can file a claim; if you only have liability, you may have no recovery unless the other driver is found.
- Keep all receipts, medical records, and repair estimates — your insurer will ask for proof of your losses.
Document the scene and your injuries yourself
Do not wait for the police to arrive to start gathering evidence. Take photos of your vehicle from multiple angles, showing the damage clearly. Photograph the accident location, nearby street signs, traffic lights, and any visible skid marks or debris. If there are nearby businesses with security cameras, note their names and locations — the police may contact them, but you can also reach out yourself later.
If anyone witnessed the accident, get their name and phone number before they leave. Witnesses often disappear, and their account can be crucial if the other driver is later found. Write down what each person saw, as specifically as you can remember.
If you have any visible injuries — cuts, bruises, or pain — photograph those too and seek medical attention the same day, even if you feel fine. Some injuries show up hours or days later, and a medical record dated to the day of the accident strengthens any claim you later make.
Notify your insurance company promptly
Call your insurance agent or the claims line on your policy card within 24 to 48 hours. Tell them it was a hit-and-run and provide the police report number. Your insurer will assign a claims adjuster who will contact you to schedule an inspection of your vehicle.
Be clear and factual in your account. Stick to what you know: the time, location, what you heard or saw, and what you did immediately after. Do not speculate about the other driver or what might have happened.
Ask your adjuster to explain your coverage options. If you have collision coverage, it will pay for damage to your vehicle minus your deductible, regardless of whether the other driver is found. If you have uninsured motorist property damage coverage (sometimes called UMPD), it may also cover hit-and-run damage. If you only have liability coverage, it covers damage you cause to others, not damage to your own vehicle — in that case, you have no recovery unless the other driver is identified and their insurance pays.
Understand what your insurance will and will not cover
Your coverage depends on what you bought when you got your policy. Most people carry liability, which is required by law in South Carolina. Some also carry collision and comprehensive coverage, especially if they are still paying off a car loan.
In a hit-and-run, collision coverage is what pays for your vehicle damage. You pay your deductible (typically $500 or $1,000), and your insurer covers the rest. Uninsured motorist property damage coverage works similarly and may have a lower deductible. Medical payments coverage or personal injury protection will cover your medical bills and lost wages if you or your passengers were injured.
If you have only liability, your insurer cannot pay for your own vehicle damage unless the other driver is found and their insurance is billed. In that case, you would need to pursue a small claims lawsuit or negotiate directly with the other driver's insurer if they are later identified.
Gather documentation for your claim
Your insurance company will ask for proof of your losses. Start collecting these items now: the police report, photos you took at the scene, medical records and bills if you were injured, repair estimates from body shops, receipts for any temporary repairs or rentals, and proof of lost wages if you missed work.
Get at least two repair estimates from reputable body shops. Your insurer may have preferred shops, but you have the right to choose your own. The estimates should itemize the damage and the cost to fix it.
If you rented a vehicle while yours was being repaired, keep the rental agreement and receipt. If you took time off work due to injury, get a letter from your employer stating the dates and your hourly rate or salary.
Follow up if the other driver is found
The police may locate the other driver days, weeks, or even months after the accident. If they do, you will be notified. At that point, the other driver's insurance company becomes involved, and the case shifts — their liability coverage should pay for your damage instead of your own collision coverage.
If the other driver is found and their insurer accepts liability, you may be able to recover your deductible and any out-of-pocket costs. Your insurer will handle most of this negotiation, but stay in touch with your claims adjuster to make sure it is moving forward.
If the other driver is found but disputes fault or does not have insurance, you may need to pursue a small claims lawsuit or work with an attorney. This is rare in hit-and-run cases where police have clear evidence, but it can happen.
Know your options if you have no collision coverage
If you only have liability insurance, you cannot file a claim with your own insurer for hit-and-run damage. Your options are narrower, but not zero.
If the other driver is found, you can file a claim against their liability insurance. If they do not have insurance or cannot be found, you can file a small claims lawsuit in magistrate court for the cost of repairs, up to the court's limit (usually $7,500 in South Carolina). Small claims is designed for people without lawyers — you represent yourself, and the process is simpler than regular court.
You can also contact your state representative or local victim advocate to ask whether any emergency assistance programs exist for hit-and-run victims. These are uncommon, but some communities have them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report a hit-and-run if the damage is minor?
Yes, if the damage is over $400 or anyone is injured. Even if you think it is minor, file a report — your insurance company will require it to process a claim, and you may not realize the full extent of damage until a mechanic inspects it.
What if I did not get the other vehicle's license plate?
Tell the police what you do remember: the color, size, make, or model of the vehicle, the direction it went, and any other details. Traffic cameras, nearby businesses, or witnesses may have captured the plate. The police will investigate; you do not need the plate to file a report or an insurance claim.
Can I file a claim if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Hit-and-run is different from a regular accident where fault is disputed. The other driver left the scene, which is a crime. Your insurer will cover your damage under collision or uninsured motorist coverage regardless of whether you were partially at fault, though your deductible still applies.
How long does it take to get paid after a hit-and-run claim?
It depends on your coverage and whether the other driver is found. If you have collision coverage and the damage is straightforward, you may get paid within two to four weeks. If the other driver is found later and their insurer pays instead, it can take longer as the insurers negotiate.
What if the police never find the other driver?
If you have collision or uninsured motorist coverage, your insurer will pay your claim regardless. If you only have liability, you have no recovery unless you file a small claims lawsuit, which requires proving your damages but does not require finding the driver.