Hit-And-Run Insurance Claim

Hit-And-Run Insurance Claim

When you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, you need to file a claim with your insurance company. Thus, you should already have coverage applicable in such a circumstance. 

While it’s mandatory for all drivers to have auto insurance, carrying coverage that can protect you in a hit-and-run accident (which will be discussed below) is optional. Insurance companies are required to offer them to all drivers, but a driver can opt out of them. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to have one.

What Is A Hit-And-Run?

A hit-and-run accident is when a driver involved in an accident intentionally leaves the scene without exchanging information with the other driver. A driver driving off after hitting you is a hit-and-run, and so is when a driver stops and talks to you but leaves without providing you with the needed information.

Types Of Hit-And-Run Cases

Hit-and-run cases are handled differently based on the specific events involved in a crash. The primary types are non-injury-related and injury-related.

A hit-and-run car accident may cause only property damage, such as damage to your car or a street sign. This type of hit-and-run case is a misdemeanor in Nevada. 

A hit-and-run accident can also cause minor and major injuries to victims. In Nevada, a hit-and-run accident that causes injury or death is considered a felony.

What To Do If You Are In A Hit-And-Run Case

The steps you take after a hit-and-run accident are crucial. Here is what to do if you are in a hit-and-run case:

Assess The Situation

Immediately turn on your hazard lights and check if you or any of your passengers are injured. Then, confirm if it’s safe to move out of the vehicle.

Call 911

If the other driver drives off after hitting you, call the police immediately. If they stop but refuse to exchange information with you but instead leave the scene, call the police at this point if you haven’t already.

Talk To Witnesses

While waiting for the police, politely talk to the witnesses to collect their contact information and statements. Witnesses can help you establish what happened. They may even help you to get vital details about the other driver. 

Notify Your Insurance Company

After gathering solid evidence, you need to notify your insurance company as soon as you can. Provide a statement about the accident and submit the evidence you obtained to start the claim process.

What Not To Do When You Are Involved In A Hit-And-Run Case

If you leave the scene of a hit-and-run accident before the police arrive, you may also get into trouble. It’s also unwise to follow the fleeing driver because you will have left the scene as well. Additionally, you may endanger yourself and others, as you may engage in unsafe driving behaviors, or the other driver may be potentially violent.

Auto Insurance Coverage For A Hit-And-Run

Insurance companies offer different types of coverage that can protect a policyholder in a hit-and-run case. They include:

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage pays for the cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle of a policyholder after an accident, regardless of fault. If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident that only causes damage to your car, this coverage will cover you after you pay the deductible (a specified amount you pay out of pocket).

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage (UMBI)

This coverage covers you and your passengers after a hit-and-run accident. It covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. 

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage (UMPD)

UMPD can pay for the repair or replacement of your vehicle in a hit-and-run case. It differs from collision coverage, as it can only be used when damage is caused by another driver. Collision coverage does not consider fault.

Medical Payments Coverage

After a hit-and-run accident, the medical payments coverage (MedPay) can pay for your medical expenses and those of your passengers regardless of fault. It can also cover funeral expenses if a hit-and-run results in death.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

While MedPay covers medical expenses, personal injury protection (PIP) goes beyond. In addition to medical expenses, PIP covers lost wages and other costs resulting from an accident, regardless of fault, to a particular limit.

How Do Hit-And-Run Insurance Claims Work?

Hit-and-run insurance claims differ depending on the circumstances surrounding it and the coverage used. Someone involved in a hit-and-run accident that only causes damage to their vehicle will have a different experience from someone who sustains an injury. Someone who files a claim on their collision coverage will have a different process from someone who files a claim under UMBI or UMPD and so forth. Nonetheless, hit-and-run laws apply to all cases.

After notifying your insurer about the hit-and-run accident you were involved in, they will gather more information about it from the evidence you submit. Then, they will send an adjuster to assess the damage before offering a settlement.

How Do I Know If My Insurance Covers Hit-And-Run Accidents?

Asking your insurer if your coverage covers hit-and-run accidents is the best way to know if you will be protected if ever involved in an accident with an unidentified party. However, typically, coverage that can cover a policyholder in cases involving uninsured or underinsured drivers can cover hit-and-run accidents.

Will A Hit-And-Run Raise The Insurance Cost?

If you were not at fault for a hit-and-run accident, your car insurance rates may not be affected. However, this may change if you are at fault. 

However, some insurance companies raise car insurance costs for policyholders after filing a claim, even if they are not at fault. Thus, obtain more information about your case and your insurer’s policies to determine whether your insurance costs will increase.

Do I Have To Pay A Deductible For A Hit-And-Run Insurance Claim?

Generally, the type of insurance coverage used determines if you will pay a deductible. For instance, collision coverage has a deductible, but MedPay doesn’t.

How Long After A Hit-And-Run Accident Can You Be Charged?

If you leave an accident scene without exchanging information, you can be charged as soon as the police can identify you. This can be days, weeks, or months later. However, the police have a statute of limitations to observe, which, in Nevada, are three years for a felony hit-and-run and one year for a misdemeanor from the date of the accident.

Schedule An Appointment To Get Your Hit-And-Run Insurance Claim Started

Despite the complications of a hit-and-run insurance claim, you can receive just compensation from your insurer by building a strong case. If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident or your vehicle was damaged, schedule an appointment to learn more about your case and the laws that apply to it.