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Common scenarios

Hit-and-Run Accident Claims

It is infuriating when the driver who hit you simply drives away. Even if they cannot be traced, you may still be able to make a hit-and-run claim for your injuries and your vehicle. It is worth checking where you stand.

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Last reviewed: Reviewed by the Auto Crash Claims editorial team

What happened

A hit-and-run is any accident where the other driver leaves the scene without stopping to give their details. It ranges from a car that clips you and speeds off, to someone who reverses into you in a car park and drives away. You are left with the damage, the injury and no obvious insurer to turn to, which is why so many people assume nothing can be done about a hit-and-run.

Who's usually at fault

Fault still sits with the driver who caused the accident and left. The problem is simply that they cannot be identified. There are established routes that exist specifically for accidents caused by untraced drivers, so being unable to name the other driver does not automatically end a hit-and-run claim.

Evidence that helps

  • Anything you noted about the vehicle, such as make, colour or part of the registration
  • The exact location, date and time it happened
  • Photos of the damage to your vehicle and the scene
  • Details of any witnesses who saw the other vehicle
  • Your police report reference number
  • Nearby CCTV or dashcam footage, if any exists

Common complications

  • No registration number, so the driver cannot be traced
  • Delay in reporting it to the police
  • Being unsure whether a claim is even possible

If you have not already, report it

The most useful thing you can do after a hit-and-run is report it to the police as soon as you reasonably can. Note down everything you remember while it is fresh, even small details like the colour of the car or the direction it went. A police report reference is usually important to a later hit-and-run claim, and the sooner it is logged the better.

Making a claim is simpler than you think

  1. 1

    Tell us what happened

    Answer a few quick questions about your accident. It takes a couple of minutes and there’s no obligation.

  2. 2

    We connect you with specialists

    We pass your details to the regulated specialists we work with, who’ll look at whether you have a claim.

  3. 3

    They handle the rest

    If you have a case, the specialists can pursue your compensation and keep you updated, while you get back to normal.

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Frequently asked questions

The driver drove off. Is a claim really possible?

Often, yes. There are arrangements set up specifically for accidents caused by untraced drivers, so you may still be able to make a hit-and-run claim for your injuries and your vehicle even without the other driver's details.

Do I have to report a hit-and-run to the police?

You should, and promptly. A police report is usually an important step for a hit-and-run claim. If you have not reported it yet, do that as soon as you reasonably can, then check where you stand.

I only caught part of the number plate. Does that help?

It can. Any detail, such as a partial plate, the make and colour, or the direction they went, may help. Even without it, a hit-and-run claim can still be possible through the untraced-driver route.

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