Accidents
A hit-and-run accident is one of the most frustrating and stressful situations a driver can experience. In addition to dealing with vehicle damage and potential injuries, victims are often left with uncertainty about who will be responsible for paying medical bills, lost wages, and other damages when the at-fault driver leaves the scene.
Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents occur regularly on Maryland roads. Drivers may flee after a crash for a variety of reasons, including lack of insurance, intoxication, outstanding warrants, or fear of legal consequences. Regardless of the reason, leaving the scene of an accident is illegal and creates serious challenges for injured victims seeking compensation.
As a personal injury attorney, I often see how overwhelming these situations can be. When the responsible driver disappears, victims may initially believe they have no legal options. However, Maryland law provides important protections through uninsured motorist coverage, which is designed to compensate individuals injured by unidentified or uninsured drivers.
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident in Maryland, taking the right steps immediately after the crash can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. This guide explains what to do after a hit-and-run accident, how insurance coverage may apply, and how to protect your personal injury claim.
In a typical car accident, the driver who caused the crash is identified and their liability insurance policy becomes the primary source of compensation for the injured party. Insurance claims are generally submitted to that driver’s insurer, which evaluates liability and damages.
Hit-and-run accidents are different because the responsible driver is either unknown or cannot be located. Without an identified at-fault driver, victims cannot pursue a traditional liability claim against that person’s insurance policy.
To address this problem, Maryland law requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage as part of their automobile insurance policies. This coverage is designed to protect drivers when the at-fault party either has no insurance or cannot be identified.
In many hit-and-run accidents, uninsured motorist coverage becomes the primary source of compensation for injuries and other damages.
However, UM claims are not automatically approved simply because the other driver fled the scene. Insurance companies frequently investigate these claims carefully and may challenge aspects of the accident, including fault and the severity of injuries.
Because of this, proper documentation and evidence preservation are extremely important after a hit-and-run crash.
The moments immediately following a hit-and-run accident can be chaotic and confusing. Your first priority should always be safety and medical care. Once immediate concerns are addressed, gathering information and documenting the incident can help preserve critical evidence.
Taking the following steps may strengthen your ability to recover compensation.
After a hit-and-run accident, contact law enforcement as soon as possible. Reporting the crash immediately allows police officers to respond to the scene, evaluate the situation, and begin documenting what occurred.
When officers arrive, they may collect important information such as:
A police report also creates an official record that the accident occurred and that the other driver left the scene.
Although it may be tempting to pursue the driver who caused the crash, attempting to chase the vehicle can be dangerous and may lead to additional accidents.
Instead, focus on observing and remembering as many details as possible about the fleeing vehicle.
Important details may include:
Even partial information can assist law enforcement in locating the responsible driver.
If you are physically able to do so, use your smartphone to photograph the accident scene. Visual evidence can be extremely valuable in reconstructing what occurred.
Important photographs may include:
These images can later help demonstrate how the collision occurred and may support your insurance claim.
Witnesses can play a crucial role in hit-and-run cases. Other drivers, pedestrians, or nearby residents may have seen the crash or observed the fleeing vehicle.
If possible, obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses at the scene. Their statements may help confirm key details about the accident, including how it occurred and what the fleeing vehicle looked like.
Witnesses may also have captured the incident on dash cameras or mobile phones.
Surveillance cameras are increasingly common in residential neighborhoods, businesses, and traffic intersections. These cameras may have recorded the crash or captured the fleeing vehicle.
Possible sources of video footage include:
Because video footage is often overwritten after a short period of time, locating potential cameras quickly can be important.
A police report is a critical piece of documentation in a hit-and-run accident. Insurance companies often rely heavily on the report when evaluating whether a claim qualifies under an uninsured motorist policy.
The police report may include:
After the report becomes available, you should review it carefully to ensure that the information recorded is accurate. If important details are missing or incorrect, contacting the reporting officer to clarify the information may help avoid complications later.
Not all injuries are immediately apparent after a hit-and-run accident. Conditions such as whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue injuries may develop gradually over time.
Seeking medical attention promptly is important for two reasons. First, it ensures that injuries are properly diagnosed and treated. Second, it creates medical documentation linking the injuries to the accident.
Insurance companies often examine medical records closely when evaluating injury claims. If there is a significant delay between the accident and the first medical evaluation, insurers may argue that the injuries were unrelated to the crash.
Medical documentation may include:
Following treatment recommendations and attending scheduled appointments can also help demonstrate the seriousness of the injuries.
Uninsured motorist coverage exists to protect drivers when the person responsible for a crash has no insurance or cannot be identified.
In a hit-and-run accident, your UM coverage may compensate you for damages such as:
Although UM claims are filed under your own insurance policy, the process can still be adversarial. Insurance companies frequently investigate these claims thoroughly and may challenge aspects of the case.
For example, insurers may question:
Because of these potential disputes, preserving evidence and maintaining consistent medical documentation is extremely important.
Evidence can disappear quickly after a hit-and-run accident. Acting promptly can improve the chances of identifying the responsible driver or strengthening a claim under uninsured motorist coverage.
Helpful evidence may include:
Preserving this evidence early can help establish how the accident occurred and the extent of the damages involved.
Hit-and-run accidents can produce a wide range of injuries depending on the severity of the collision.
Common injuries include:
Some victims may require extended medical treatment, rehabilitation, or surgical intervention. In severe cases, injuries may result in long-term disabilities or chronic pain.
Certain actions can unintentionally weaken a hit-and-run injury claim. Avoiding these common mistakes can help protect your rights.
Mistakes to avoid include:
Even when the responsible driver cannot be located, compensation may still be available through uninsured motorist coverage.
Although some hit-and-run claims resolve through insurance negotiations, disputes about liability or injury severity may arise. In these situations, legal guidance can help ensure that evidence is preserved and that insurance coverage is properly evaluated.
Attorneys may assist by:
If necessary, legal action may also be pursued to resolve disputes regarding coverage or compensation.
Hit-and-run accidents present unique challenges, but injured victims often have options for recovery. Identifying available insurance coverage and preserving evidence early can make a significant difference in the outcome of a claim.
At SG Legal Group, my team and I represent individuals injured in hit-and-run accidents throughout Maryland. We work to investigate the circumstances of the crash, evaluate uninsured motorist coverage, and advocate for our clients throughout the claims process.
If you or a loved one was injured in a hit-and-run accident, contact me at SG Legal Group. My team and I will help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you deserve. Call 410-618-1277 or visit our Contact page to schedule a consultation.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. For advice about your situation, please contact me directly.
Joshua C. Sussex, Esq.
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