What’s the First Thing to Do If I’m the Victim of a Hit-and-Run?

It’s a shocking and violating moment. One second, you’re driving safely through Tacoma; the next, you’re dealing with the crunch of impact and the sight of the other car speeding away, leaving you alone on the side of the road. A hit-and-run accident leaves victims feeling not just shaken and injured, but also angry, helpless, and deeply uncertain about what to do next.

Who will pay for the damage to your car? How will your medical bills get covered if you can’t identify the at-fault driver? While the cowardly actions of another driver have put you in a difficult position, it is crucial to know that you are not without options.

Your first moves in the minutes and hours after a hit-and-run are critical. By acting quickly and methodically, you can protect your safety, help law enforcement, and lay the essential groundwork for your own insurance claim. This guide will walk you through exactly what to do.

Useful Information for You: In a Nutshell

• Prioritize Safety First: Before anything else, get to a safe location and check yourself for injuries. Your well-being is the top priority.
• Call 911 Immediately: Report the hit-and-run to the police right away. An official police report is essential for any insurance claim involving an unidentified driver.
• Document Everything You Can Remember: Write down every detail you can recall about the other vehicle (make, model, color, license plate number—even a partial one) and the driver.
• Find Witnesses: Witnesses are your best hope for identifying the other driver. Look for anyone who saw what happened and get their contact information.
• Notify Your Own Insurance Company: You will likely need to make a claim under your own policy, specifically using your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage.

Step 1: Get Safe and Call the Police

Before you worry about the car that fled, worry about yourself. If you are in a dangerous spot in traffic, carefully move your vehicle to the shoulder or a nearby side street if possible. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries.

Then, call 911 immediately. Do not wait. Reporting the incident right away is critical for several reasons:

• It creates an official record. A police report is non-negotiable for a hit-and-run insurance claim.
• It starts the investigation. The police may be able to broadcast a description of the vehicle, potentially catching the driver.
• It documents the timeline. A prompt report proves the incident happened when and where you say it did.

When you speak to the 911 operator and the responding officer, provide every detail you can.

Step 2: Become a Memory Detective

The driver may be gone, but the details they left behind are crucial. As soon as you are safe, write down or record a voice memo on your phone with everything you can remember about the other vehicle and driver. Don’t second-guess yourself—even a small detail could be the key.

• The Vehicle: What was the make, model, and color? Was it a car, truck, or SUV? Was it old or new? Did it have any distinguishing features like a roof rack, bumper stickers, or noticeable damage before it hit you?
• The License Plate: This is the most important detail. Even if you only caught a partial number (e.g., “It was a Washington plate starting with B…”), report it.
• The Driver: If you got a look at the driver, what did they look like? Male or female? Approximate age?
• The Direction of Travel: Which way did they flee? What street did they turn on?

Step 3: Hunt for Witnesses and Cameras

An independent witness is your best chance at filling in the blanks. Look around immediately. Was there another driver behind you who saw what happened? Someone on the sidewalk? Politely ask, “Excuse me, did you see that car hit me and drive off? Would you be willing to give your name and number to the police?”

Also, scan the area for cameras. Many businesses in Tacoma have security cameras pointing at the street. Traffic cameras at intersections are also common. Note the location of any potential cameras and tell the responding police officer about them.

Step 4: Document the Evidence You Do Have

Use your smartphone to take extensive photos of the damage to your car and your property. Photograph the location of the accident, any debris left behind from the other car (like a piece of a broken taillight), and any paint transfer on your vehicle. This evidence helps prove the nature of the collision.

Understanding Your Insurance Coverage in Washington State

This is the question that worries hit-and-run victims most: who pays? Since the other driver is unknown, you will turn to your own insurance policy. This is precisely why certain coverages are so important.

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage: In Washington, UIM coverage is what you will use for a hit-and-run. It steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver’s missing insurance and can cover your medical bills and lost wages.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): This coverage will be the first to pay for your medical expenses, regardless of who was at fault.
• Collision Coverage: This portion of your policy will cover the repairs to your vehicle.

Being the victim of a hit-and-run feels deeply unfair, but it does not mean you are without recourse. By taking these immediate, methodical steps, you provide law enforcement and your insurance company with the best possible foundation to help you.

Navigating a hit-and-run claim can be complex. If you need help understanding your insurance policy or ensuring you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to in the Tacoma area, search the Car Accident Lawyer Directory Tacoma. You can find experienced professionals who specialize in these frustrating cases and can fight to protect your rights when the at-fault driver has run from their responsibilities.

References

• Revised Code of Washington (RCW 46.52.020) – Duty in case of personal injury or death or damage to attended vehicle or other property: The official state law defining a driver’s duty to stop, provide information, and render aid, which makes leaving the scene a crime (hit-and-run). https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.52.020
• Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) – Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage: Official information explaining how UIM coverage works, which is critical for hit-and-run victims. https://www.insurance.wa.gov/what-uninsuredunderinsured-motorist-uim-coverage-and-do-i-need-it

SEO Title, Description, and Tags

• SEO Title:
• SEO Meta Description: A driver hit you and fled the scene in Tacoma? Don’t panic. Our step-by-step guide explains the first things you must do to protect yourself, from calling 911 to using your own insurance.
• Tags: hit-and-run accident, what to do after accident, tacoma car accident, uninsured motorist, washington state law, car accident checklist, police report, insurance claim, personal injury lawyer, legal advice