Every year, hundreds of thousands of hit-and-run accidents occur on American roads, leaving people injured and facing significant financial burdens. When you become one of those statistics, the impersonal number suddenly becomes deeply personal. One moment, you’re driving through Reno or heading home from work; the next, you’re standing on the side of the road, watching a stranger speed away from the damage and harm they just caused.
The feeling of being abandoned at the scene is a difficult experience, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the story. There is a clear process for responding to a hit and run that protects your health, your finances, and your legal rights. Knowing when to speak with a car accident lawyer can be a critical part of that process, helping you understand your options and take the right steps toward accountability and recovery.
Key Takeaways about What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident
- A person involved in a hit-and-run accident should prioritize their safety and report the incident to law enforcement as soon as possible.
- Nevada law requires drivers to stop and exchange information after any accident involving injury or property damage.
- An individual's own auto insurance policy, specifically Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, is often the primary source for compensation in a hit-and-run claim.
- Thoroughly documenting all details of the accident, including witness information and medical treatment, is crucial for building a strong claim.
- Seeking guidance from a personal injury attorney can help a person understand their rights and identify all available sources of recovery.
First Steps to Take After a Hit and Run Accident
Once you have addressed any immediate medical needs, the actions you take can significantly impact your ability to be compensated for your losses. The period following a car crash is a critical time for gathering information and officially documenting what happened.
Your first priority is to report the accident to the police if you have not already done so at the scene. Call the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, or the appropriate local law enforcement agency for your location in Northern Nevada. Filing an official police report creates a legal record of the incident, which is essential for any insurance claim. When you speak with the officer, provide every detail you can recall, no matter how small it may seem.
Next, notify your own insurance company about the hit and run. Most insurance policies have strict deadlines for reporting an accident, so it is important to do this promptly. Explain that the other driver fled the scene. Your insurance agent will guide you on the next steps for starting a claim under your policy.
Even if you feel fine, it is also wise to schedule a medical evaluation. Some serious injuries, like whiplash or traumatic brain injuries, may not show symptoms for hours or even days. A doctor’s report will document any injuries caused by the collision, linking them directly to the accident.
Understanding Nevada's Hit and Run Laws
In Nevada, a driver’s responsibilities after a collision are clearly defined by law. Leaving the scene of an accident without stopping to provide aid and exchange information is a serious criminal offense. The severity of the charge depends on the extent of the damage and whether anyone was injured.
According to Nevada Revised Statute 484E.010, a driver involved in an accident that results in bodily injury or death must immediately stop their vehicle at the scene. Failing to do so is a category B felony, carrying significant penalties, including prison time and hefty fines.
For accidents involving only property damage, Nevada law requires the driver to locate the owner of the damaged property or leave a note with their name, address, and vehicle registration number. Fleeing the scene of an accident with property damage is typically a misdemeanor.
These laws are in place to ensure that people involved in accidents are held responsible for their actions. When a driver ignores these duties, they not only break the law but also leave the injured party in a difficult position.
How Your Own Insurance Can Help After a Hit and Run Accident
A common question after a hit and run is, "Who will pay for my damages if the other driver is gone?" For many people in Nevada, the answer lies within their own auto insurance policy. This is where specific types of coverage become incredibly important.
The most critical coverage in this situation is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. In a hit and run, the fleeing driver is treated as an "uninsured motorist" for insurance purposes. If you have UM coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurance company to cover the costs you would have sought from the at-fault driver.
Here are some of the expenses that UM/UIM coverage can help with:
- Medical Bills: This includes everything from emergency room visits and hospital stays to physical therapy and future medical care.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, this coverage can help compensate you for the income you have lost.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries.
Another helpful, though optional, coverage is Medical Payments coverage, often called MedPay. This coverage helps pay for your and your passengers' medical expenses regardless of who was at fault for the accident. It can be used to cover health insurance deductibles and copays, providing immediate financial assistance for your medical care.
It's important to remember that dealing with your own insurance company is not always a simple process. They may still challenge the extent of your injuries or the value of your claim. This is why careful documentation and a clear understanding of your policy are so vital.
Gathering Evidence for Your Hit and Run Accident Claim
Because the at-fault driver is unknown, building a strong case for your hit-and-run claim depends heavily on the evidence you can collect. The more information you can provide to law enforcement and your insurance company, the better your chances of a successful recovery.
Documenting Everything You Remember
Your memory is one of the most powerful tools you have. As soon as you are able, write down every single detail you can remember about the hit-and-run accident. Do not filter yourself; even seemingly minor details could become crucial later.
Your notes should include:
- The exact location of the accident (e.g., the intersection of Virginia Street and Plumb Lane in Reno, or on a specific stretch of I-580 heading toward Carson City).
- The date and approximate time of day.
- The make, model, and color of the other vehicle.
- Any part of the license plate number you saw, even just a few letters or numbers.
- A description of the other driver if you got a look at them.
- The direction the other vehicle was heading when it fled the scene.
This information can help police in their investigation and can also be used to corroborate your version of events for your insurance claim.
Finding Potential Witnesses and Other Evidence
You may not be the only person who saw what happened. Witnesses are often the key to identifying a hit-and-run driver. If anyone stopped at the scene, be sure to get their name and contact information. If you were not able to do so, consider returning to the area.
Check with nearby businesses, such as gas stations, convenience stores, or companies located in industrial areas like those around the Tesla Gigafactory in Sparks. They may have security cameras that recorded the accident or the fleeing vehicle. You can also ask residents in the area if they saw or heard anything. Sometimes, traffic cameras or dashcam footage from other drivers can provide the breakthrough needed to find the responsible driver.
Keeping Meticulous Records
Organized records are essential for demonstrating the full extent of your damages. Create a dedicated folder to keep track of all documents related to the hit-and-run accident.
Be sure to save copies of the following:
- The police report.
- All medical bills, treatment records, and receipts for prescriptions.
- Photos of your injuries and the damage to your vehicle.
- Estimates for vehicle repairs.
- A log of any time you missed from work and documentation of your lost wages from your employer.
Having all this information in one place will make the claims process smoother and help ensure that you account for all of your losses.
The Role of a Personal Injury Attorney in a Hit and Run Case
While you can file a claim on your own, the complexities of a hit-and-run accident case can make it beneficial to have a legal professional on your side. An experienced car accident attorney can help you understand your options and work to protect your interests throughout the entire process.
Here are some ways a lawyer can assist with a hit-and-run accident claim:
- Conducting a Thorough Investigation: Attorneys often have access to investigators and resources that can help uncover new evidence. They can work to locate witnesses, obtain surveillance footage, and piece together what happened.
- Handling All Communications with Insurance Companies: An attorney can manage all the paperwork and negotiations with your insurance company. This allows you to focus on your physical and emotional recovery while they handle the legal details.
- Accurately Valuing Your Claim: A lawyer can help you calculate the full value of your claim, including not just current medical bills and lost wages but also future medical needs and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
- Identifying All Potential Sources of Compensation: In some cases, there may be other parties who hold some responsibility. For example, if the driver was working at the time, their employer could potentially be held liable. An attorney can explore every possible avenue for recovery.
A lawyer’s involvement can level the playing field, ensuring that the insurance company treats you fairly and offers a settlement that fully addresses your damages.
Common Injuries in Hit and Run Accidents
The sudden and unexpected nature of hit-and-run accidents means that occupants of the struck vehicle are often unprepared for the impact, which can lead to a wide range of serious injuries.
Some common injuries sustained in these types of crashes include:
- Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: The violent jerking motion of a crash can strain the muscles and ligaments in the neck and back, causing pain and limiting mobility.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): An impact to the head can cause concussions or more severe brain injuries. Symptoms can range from headaches and dizziness to long-term cognitive or memory problems.
- Broken Bones: The force of a collision can easily cause fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, and other bones.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord is one of the most severe outcomes of a car accident and can result in partial or complete paralysis.
- Psychological Trauma: Beyond the physical injuries, being the subject of a hit and run can cause significant emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It is crucial to seek medical attention for any injuries and to follow all of your doctor’s treatment recommendations. This not only aids your physical recovery but also creates an official record of the harm you suffered.
What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions that arise after a driver flees the scene of a collision.
What should I do if I were a pedestrian or bicyclist in a hit-and-run accident?
The steps are very similar. Prioritize your safety and call 911 immediately to report the incident and get medical attention. If you have auto insurance, your own UM/UIM policy may still cover your injuries. If you do not have auto insurance, you may have other options, and speaking with an attorney can help you understand them.
What if I only got a partial license plate number?
Any part of a license plate number is valuable. Provide this information to the police. Investigators can sometimes use partial plates combined with a vehicle description to narrow down the search and identify the owner of the vehicle.
How long do I have to file a claim in Nevada?
For a personal injury claim, the statute of limitations in Nevada is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, your own insurance policy will have much shorter deadlines for reporting the accident and filing a claim, often as little as 30 days. It is critical to act quickly.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a UM claim for a hit-and-run?
In Nevada, an insurance company is generally prohibited from raising your rates for an accident that was not your fault. Since a hit and run is, by definition, not your fault, filing a UM claim should not negatively impact your premiums.
What happens if the police find the driver who hit me?
If law enforcement identifies and locates the at-fault driver, you can then pursue a personal injury claim directly against that driver’s auto insurance policy. The driver will also face criminal charges for leaving the scene of the accident. Your attorney can help you transition your claim to hold the responsible driver accountable.
We're Here to Help You Move Forward
If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run accident, you deserve to have a dedicated legal team fighting for you. At Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman, L.L.P., we understand the frustration and uncertainty you are feeling.
Our Reno personal injury attorneys are committed to holding negligent parties accountable and helping our clients secure the compensation they need to recover. With more than 100 years of combined experience, we are prepared to put our knowledge and resources to work for you.
We limit the number of cases we accept to ensure every client receives the personalized attention they deserve. When you call our firm, we answer. Contact us today at (775) 284-8888 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help.