Hit-and-Run Accidents: What to Do and How Claims Work in Virginia

A hit-and-run can leave you injured, angry, and unsure what to do next—especially when the other driver disappears. In Virginia, the steps you take in the first minutes and days after the crash can make a major difference in protecting your health and strengthening an insurance claim.

This guide breaks down what to do after a hit-and-run and how claims often work in Virginia.

Step 1: Get safe and call 911

If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, shock and adrenaline can hide symptoms (especially neck/back injuries). If you can safely move your vehicle out of traffic, do so.

When police arrive:

• Ask for the responding officer’s information

• Request the incident/report number

• Make sure the report notes that the other vehicle fled the scene

A police report is one of the most important pieces of documentation in a hit-and-run.

Step 2: Write down everything you remember (fast)

Memory fades quickly after a traumatic event. As soon as you’re able, document details such as:

• Vehicle make/model (even a guess helps)

• Color, body damage, stickers/decals

• Partial plate numbers (even 1–3 characters)

• Direction the vehicle fled

• Time and exact location

• Any description of the driver (if you saw them)

Even small details can help law enforcement or insurance adjusters identify the vehicle.

Step 3: Look for witnesses and video

Hit-and-run claims often turn on evidence. Do what you can to gather:

• Names and phone numbers of witnesses

• Nearby businesses or homes with cameras (ask if they can preserve footage)

• Traffic cameras or parking lot cameras

• Dashcam footage (yours or nearby drivers)

If you were hit in a parking lot, quickly check for:

• Store surveillance

• Adjacent businesses (banks, restaurants, gas stations)

• Doorbell cameras in nearby neighborhoods

Tip: Many systems overwrite footage within days. The sooner you ask, the better.

Step 4: Take photos and video at the scene

If you can safely do it, capture:

• Your vehicle damage (close-up and wide shots)

• Debris, paint transfer, skid marks

• The intersection/roadway signage and lane markings

• Your injuries (bruising often appears later—keep documenting)

• The surrounding area (to show lighting and visibility)

This helps establish what happened and supports the severity of the impact.

Step 5: Get medical care and follow through

Even if you don’t go by ambulance, get evaluated as soon as possible. Delays can:

• Worsen injuries

• Give insurance companies an argument that you weren’t really hurt

Follow the treatment plan, keep appointments, and save:

• Discharge paperwork

• Diagnosis notes

• Physical therapy schedules

• Prescriptions and receipts

  
  

Step 6: Notify your insurance—but be careful with statements

Report the crash to your insurance promptly. In hit-and-run situations, you may be relying on your own coverage, so notice requirements matter.

But be cautious:

• Don’t guess about fault or details you’re unsure about

• Don’t minimize your injuries (“I’m fine”) if you’re not sure yet

• Don’t accept a quick settlement before you understand your medical outlook

If an adjuster asks for a recorded statement, consider getting legal guidance first—especially if you were injured.

How hit-and-run claims often work in Virginia

If the driver is found

If law enforcement identifies the at-fault driver, your claim may proceed like a typical auto injury case, often involving:

• The at-fault driver’s liability insurance

• Proof of fault (police findings, witness statements, video)

• Proof of damages (medical bills, wage loss, pain and limitations)
  

If the driver is not found (common)

When the other driver can’t be identified, many people assume they have no options. That’s not always true.

In many hit-and-run cases, the claim is pursued through your own policy—often involving coverage such as:

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage (commonly used when the at-fault driver is unknown or uninsured)

• Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage (if you carry it)

• Collision coverage (for vehicle repairs)

Coverage availability and the process depend on your policy terms and the facts of the crash. The key takeaway: don’t assume you’re stuck just because the other driver left.

What insurance companies typically require in a hit-and-run

Because there isn’t an identified at-fault driver to pursue, insurers often scrutinize hit-and-run claims closely. Expect requests for:

• The police report

• Photos of damage and the scene

• Proof of injuries and treatment

• Witness information or evidence that supports a hit-and-run occurred

• Repair estimates and documentation of vehicle value (if totaled)

The more organized your documentation is, the smoother the process tends to be.

Common hit-and-run scenarios (and what matters)

1) Hit-and-run at an intersection

Key evidence: traffic cams, nearby business cameras, witnesses, your own dashcam.

2) Hit-and-run in a parking lot

Key evidence: store surveillance, lot cameras, time-stamped photos, and preserving footage quickly.

3) Pedestrian or cyclist hit-and-run

Key evidence: witnesses, nearby cameras, medical documentation, and immediate police response.

4) “Phantom vehicle” situations

Sometimes a driver causes a crash without direct contact (for example, forcing you off the road). These can be harder to prove. Witnesses and documentation become even more important.

Mistakes that can hurt a Virginia hit-and-run claim

• Not calling police or failing to get a report number

• Waiting too long to seek medical care

• Not gathering witness info or camera footage quickly

• Posting about the crash or injuries on social media

• Accepting a quick settlement before treatment is complete

• Throwing away receipts related to medications, travel, or equipment
  

What to do if you’re dealing with a hit-and-run in Virginia

If you were injured in a hit-and-run—or you lost a loved one in a fatal crash—getting clarity early can protect you from costly mistakes.

Charles M. Aaron Attorneys at Law handles auto accident, personal injury, and wrongful death cases, including hit-and-run crashes.

Call 276-638-3866 or visit www.charlesaaronlaw.com to discuss your situation and next steps.

FAQs

Do I have a claim if the hit-and-run driver is never found?

Often, yes—depending on your insurance coverages and the facts of the crash. Many claims rely on the injured driver’s own policy when the at-fault driver is unknown.

Should I give a recorded statement to insurance?

Insurance companies may request one. Because statements can affect coverage and claim value, consider getting guidance first—especially if you’re injured.

What if the hit-and-run happened in a parking lot?

Camera footage is often the key. Ask the business to preserve video right away since many systems overwrite quickly.

What if I don’t feel hurt until the next day?

That’s common. Get evaluated as soon as symptoms appear and document your condition.