We’ve all seen those videos. An unassuming driver was just going about their day, and Bam! They were hit by a speeding vehicle. The car speeds off without even checking to see if the victim was okay. You might be here because you were recently a victim of a hit-and run. You car is likely damaged and you might be experiencing a painful injury.
This situation is shocking and infuriating. And if it happened to you, you’re probably wondering what do I do next? Do I have any legal recourse at all?
The answer is: more than you might think. In this blog, we will walk you through what to expect.
What Makes a Hit-and-Run Different From an Ordinary Car Accident
In any car accident, including a pedestrian accident, the process that follows depends on many factors like exchanging contact details, insurance, and a chance to figure out who pays for what. A hit-and-run accident is entirely different. The responsible driver is gone, and with them goes the most straightforward path to recovering damages.
That doesn’t mean you don’t have options. It means your next steps looks a little different. Understanding how to act next makes a significant difference in what you’re able to recover.
Drivers Have to Stop Under Nevada Law
Drivers involved in an accident are legally required to stop, provide their name, address, vehicle registration, and show their driver’s license. Those involved in the accident are obligated to render reasonable assistance to anyone who’s injured.
Leaving the scene is a crime. Depending on what happened, a hit-and-run in Nevada can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. If serious injury or death was involved, drivers can face up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $5,000.
That’s worth knowing, because if the driver is eventually identified, the legal consequences they face become part of your case too.
The First Hour Matters More Than You’d Think
Right after a hit-and-run, your instincts might be telling you to call someone, to process what just happened, to figure out if you’re okay. All of that is valid. But if you’re physically able to, the actions you take in that first hour can significantly shape what happens next.
Call the police. Report the incident immediately. A police report is the foundation of any insurance claim or legal action that follows. Always get a copy of the report number before you leave.
Document everything at the scene. Photos of your vehicle, photos of any visible injuries, photos of the surrounding area. If there’s debris from the other vehicle, photograph that too. These images can help with identification. Write down everything you remember about the other car: color, make, model, any partial plate numbers, which direction it went.
Talk to witnesses. If anyone saw what happened, get their contact information before they walk away. Eyewitness accounts can be crucial, especially when the other driver can’t be identified immediately.
See a doctor. Some injuries, particularly whiplash and head trauma, don’t announce themselves right away. Getting evaluated creates a medical record that connects your injuries to the accident. Waiting makes that connection harder to establish later.
Consult an Attorney. You’ll want to report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible. We do not recommend doing this alone. Many policies have time requirements for reporting, and missing them can complicate your claim which is why we recommend discussing this with your attorney right away.
How Do You Get Compensated When the Driver Is Unknown?
This is the question most hit-and-run victims are really asking. If the driver who hit you is never identified, who pays?
Quick answer: In most cases, it’s your own insurance — specifically, your uninsured motorist coverage.
Nevada doesn’t require drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage, but if you have it, it becomes one of your most important tools after a hit-and-run. This coverage is designed for exactly this kind of situation: accidents caused by drivers who either can’t be found or don’t have insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage can cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage and other expenses.
The exact coverage depends on your policy limits, so it’s worth pulling out your declarations page and understanding what you actually have covered.
One thing we cannot stress enough: insurance companies are businesses. Even in clear-cut situations, adjusters may push back on the value of your claim or look for reasons to minimize the payout.
What If the Driver Is Identified Later?
This isn’t uncommon. With surveillance cameras, witnesses who come forward, social media, hit-and-run drivers often get identified after the crash. Law enforcement takes these cases seriously, especially when injuries are involved.
If the driver is found, your path to compensation opens up considerably. You may be able to pursue a personal injury claim directly against them. Nevada’s civil courts allow accident victims to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by another driver’s negligence.
The evidence you gathered at the scene becomes especially relevant here. This is one of the biggest reasons documentation at the scene of the accident is so important.
What an Attorney Does in a Hit-and-Run Case
You’re legally allowed to file an insurance claim on your own. But hit-and-run cases have more moving parts than a standard accident claim, and the value of having a skilled negotiator who does this every day is unrivaled.
A good personal injury attorney will help you understand exactly what your insurance policy covers and what it doesn’t. They will make sure your claim captures the full scope of your damages, including ongoing expenses. They will handle communication with insurance adjusters so you’re not negotiating alone. And, of course, they will pursue all available legal options to get you a fair resolution.
Most personal injury attorneys, including our team at Carlson & Work, work on a contingency basis. In other words, you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
You Didn’t Cause This. You Don’t Have to do it Alone.
A hit-and-run leaves you dealing with consequences you didn’t create, caused by someone who didn’t stick around to face them. Nevada law gives you real avenues to hold someone accountable and recover what you’ve lost, even when the driver is never found.
The Nevada personal injury team at Carlson & Work has helped Reno residents through exactly this kind of situation. We’ll sit down with you, listen to what happened, and give you an honest picture of your options.
Call us at 775-386-2226 to schedule a free consultation.
