If a reckless driver’s careless actions resulted in mental, physical, or medical damages to you or a loved one, you’re likely entitled to financial compensation.
If the driver who injured you in a car accident didn’t identify themselves (also known as a “hit and run”), they’ve violated civil and criminal law.
If you are able to track them down, their insurance companies will dispute any claims they can to get out of paying what they owe. This is especially true if the other driver refuses to admit fault. This situation leaves more than a few people asking us: exactly what evidence is needed to prove a hit and run?
What Evidence is Needed to Prove a Hit and Run — Key Takeaways
- Proving a driver who caused losses to you and/or your vehicle and then fled the scene requires enough evidence to prove your story beyond a reasonable doubt.
- To prosecute them and retrieve the full settlement you deserve, you’ll need evidence of the collision, injury, and property damages and proof of the driver’s identity.
- Evidence of Collision can include photos and videos of the scene, witness statements, and paint or damage transfer between vehicles.
- Evidence of damages includes medical bills, vehicle repair estimates and bills, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity documents.
- Proof of Driver identity can include a license plate number, vehicle description, cell phone records, surveillance footage, and any damaged parts left behind from their car.
Insurance company lawyers will make proving their client was responsible for your damages as challenging as possible. This article highlights the basics of what a hit and run is and what evidence can help you prove your case. We’ll also cover what to do after a hit and run and how to gather evidence.
We’ll also discuss the benefits of reviewing the facts of your case with a pro during a free attorney consultation. A seasoned pedestrian accident lawyer can help gather all the documentation and hit-and-run evidence you need to prove your story and get the compensation you’re entitled to.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationWhat’s Considered a Hit and Run?
A hit and run is a crime where a driver involved in a collision flees the scene without stopping to identify themselves or provide aid. All states now have laws that make a hit-and-run a criminal offense, resulting in either a misdemeanor or felony, depending on how severe the accident is.
Whether the driver hits a motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, or another car or truck, the law requires them to identify themselves to the other parties involved. Providing aid to injured parties can mean calling 911 or an ambulance, depending on the details of the injuries and damages.
Hit-and-runs are a regular occurrence even though they’re illegal. At-fault drivers commonly flee the scene after an accident due to intoxication, lack of insurance coverage, or even just fear or panic.
But even if the at-fault driver flees the scene, it’s possible to recover the damages they caused to you and your vehicle. But to do that, you’ll need to know what evidence is needed to prove a hit-and-run. Let’s dive into what to do after a hit-and-run first. Then, we’ll take a look at how to prove a hit-and-run and how a pedestrian accident lawyer can help.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationWhat Should I Do After a Hit and Run?
You can start building a case and gathering hit-and-run evidence as soon as the accident happens, provided you’re emotionally and physically able. Let’s take a look at the first steps you should take after a hit-and-run:
Call 911
Call 911 and inform the authorities that the crash occurred and that the at-fault driver fled the scene. Explain how the driver’s carelessness caused the collision and describe any damages, pain, or injuries you’re experiencing. Provide as much detail to the police as possible about the driver who fled. Keep track of their license plate, the vehicle they were driving, and any witnesses to the crash. The investigating officers can use this information to locate the at-fault driver.
Gather the evidence needed to prove hit and run.
Without risking your safety, take any photos you can of the other driver and their vehicle as they try to flee. Write down the contact info of any witnesses. Finally, write down as much as you can about the description of the other driver, their vehicle, their reckless behavior, and the details of the collision. You’ll be surprised how much you forget as time passes, and insurance companies will use missing information against you.
Seek medical attention
Your health and well-being should be your number one priority after any accident. Follow the medics’ recommendations immediately after the scene, including going to the hospital or doctor’s clinic if they suggest it. Keep track of all your documents, and go to any follow-up appointments they schedule
Hire a seasoned pedestrian accident lawyer
Most experienced pedestrian accident lawyers offer a free consultation to review your options based on the specific details of your accident. Our team at Zinda Law Group is well-seasoned at reviewing insurance policies to find coverage for your damages. We know what steps to take to identify the at-fault driver and file a claim against their insurance policy. A hit-and-run is a crime, so the police are prone to cooperate in tracking the at-fault driver down.
Contact your insurance company.
It’s essential to promptly contact your insurance company to report the accident, even if you weren’t at fault. Your insurance policy may include a type of Uninsured Motorist coverage that covers damages in the case of a hit-and-run where the at-fault driver is never found.
All the evidence on this list is essential for proving you weren’t at fault. Even your own insurance company will victim-blame you if it saves them money. We suggest you have an accident lawyer review your policy and coach you in a free consultation before you give your insurance a detailed report of events.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationHow to Prove a Hit and Run:
You’ll need enough hit-and-run evidence to prove an accident occurred and another driver was at fault due to carelessness. You’ll have to prove that their reckless driving resulted in an accident and that you suffered damages because of it. Show that the driver intentionally didn’t stop and render aid, and prove the at-fault driver’s identity if you can.
- Evidence of Collision proves that a collision occurred and that you were involved in it. Evidence of collision can be videos or photos taken at the scene, witness statements, and contact information. Other useful evidence of collision includes paint or damage transfer between your vehicle and the suspect’s vehicle, and any damages the wreck causes your car and other property.
- Evidence of injury and property damages is proof that the hit-and-run accident harmed you and damage to your property. This includes medical bills and treatment records, vehicle damage reports and repair bills or estimates, lost wages, proof of loss of future earning capacity, etc.
- Evidence of the at-fault driver’s identity proves that the at-fault driver was at the scene during the accident. You’ll need proof they were involved in the accident, and evidence they fled the scene without providing their name, contact, and insurance information. Evidence of driver identity can be a vehicle or driver description. Other useful examples of evidence of driver identity is their license plate number, surveillance camera footage of them or their car, cell phone records, or GPS data.
Gathering the evidence you need to prove a hit-and-run occurred and impacted your life can be overwhelming, especially in the aftermath of a traumatic car accident. Insurance companies will use the lack of information about the at-fault driver to dispute your story if it means they can pay less.
But you don’t have to go at it alone. Schedule a free attorney consultation with our experienced team. We’ll review your case’s details and discuss your options for insurance coverage and compensation. At Zinda Law Group, we’re experienced in using the following methods to track down at-fault drivers and hold them responsible:
- Collecting any information from our client that can be used to identify the at-fault driver or their vehicle
- Speaking with the officers investigating the crash,
- Investigating any nearby businesses with surveillance cameras covering the scene of the crash
- Speaking with witnesses who have information about the driver who fled
- Speaking with the owners of any homes or businesses near the scene of the crash
- Reviewing any dash camera or body camera footage from the crash
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationContact Zinda Law Group — Let Our Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Help Acquire the Evidence Needed to Prove a Hit and Run
Hit-and-run accidents occur every day. But Zinda Law Group is here to help. Our knowledgeable accident attorneys can help you take the proper steps to get the best possible outcome for your case.
If you were the victim of a hit-and-run, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with a hit-and-run attorney. We work on a no-win, no-fee contingency agreement, meaning you pay nothing but a percentage of your settlement, and only if we win.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
