Hit and run

What is a hit and run?

A hit and run is a collision after which a driver leaves without stopping, identifying themselves or providing assistance. New Jersey imposes these obligations by statute.

Leaving the scene is a criminal offence, and the penalties increase substantially where injury or death resulted.

For the person left behind, the immediate problem is not the criminal case but the absence of an identified defendant and an identified insurer.

That problem has a solution more often than people assume.

For the person left at the scene it is among the most disorienting experiences in an injury case.

What should you do at the scene?

The first minutes affect both identification and any later claim.

Acting on these before leaving the scene is far easier than reconstructing them afterward.

• Call police immediately and obtain a report number
• Record any partial plate, vehicle description or direction of travel
• Photograph the scene, the damage and any debris left behind
• Identify witnesses and obtain contact details before they leave
• Note nearby businesses and residences that may have cameras
• Seek medical evaluation and report the incident to your own insurer

How does uninsured motorist coverage respond?

Uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy is designed for exactly this situation and applies where the responsible driver cannot be identified.

Prompt police reporting matters here more than in an ordinary claim, because carriers scrutinize unreported hit and run claims closely.

Policy language may impose additional requirements, including physical contact provisions, which is another reason the police report and witness details carry weight.

What if the driver is later identified?

The claim proceeds against them and their insurer in the ordinary way, and your uninsured motorist claim steps back.

A John Doe claim filed while the search continues preserves your rights against the unidentified driver in the meantime.

Investigation frequently succeeds. Debris, paint transfer, camera footage and body shop records have all identified fleeing drivers after the fact.

Body shop records have identified drivers who sought repairs after fleeing, which is a route worth pursuing.

Common questions

Can I recover if the driver is never found?

Frequently yes, through uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy. Prompt police reporting supports the claim.

Will my rates increase?

Using coverage for a crash you did not cause should not by itself raise your premium. Review any renewal change and ask for an explanation.

What if I only got a partial plate?

It is still worth reporting. Partial plates combined with vehicle description and location have identified drivers in many cases.