What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in New Jersey

Being in a hit-and-run accident is scary and confusing. Someone hit you and then drove away. You might be hurt, angry, or worried. This guide will help you know exactly what to do, step by step. Even if you feel overwhelmed right now, following these steps will protect you and help you get the help you need.

Important: This article gives general information to help you understand what to do. It is not legal advice. Every accident is different. If you have questions about your specific situation, you should talk to a lawyer who knows New Jersey law.

1. Stay at the Scene and Call 911 Right Away

The most important thing you can do is stay where the accident happened and call 911 immediately. Do not leave the scene to chase the other driver. Here's why this matters:

• You need medical help: Even if you think you're okay, you might be hurt and not realize it yet. Some injuries don't show up right away. Let the paramedics check you out.
• You need a police report: The police will write an official report about what happened. This report is very important for your insurance claim and any legal case.
• You could get in trouble if you leave: In New Jersey, if you leave the scene of an accident, you could face serious legal problems, even if you weren't at fault.

When you call 911, tell them:

• Where you are (the street names or address)
• That someone hit you and left the scene
• If anyone is hurt
• What kind of accident it was (car vs. car, or if you were walking or riding a bike)

2. Try to Remember Everything You Can About the Other Vehicle

While you wait for police and paramedics, try to remember or write down everything you saw about the car or truck that hit you. Every little detail helps the police find the driver. Don't worry if you can't remember everything—any information is helpful.

Important details to remember:

• License plate number: This is the most important detail. Even if you only saw part of it (like the first 3 letters or numbers), that's helpful. New Jersey plates have a letter, a number, and then more numbers (like A12-BCD).
• Make and model: Was it a Honda, Toyota, Ford, or another brand? Was it a sedan (regular car), SUV, truck, or van?
• Color: What color was the vehicle? Sometimes cars have two colors, like a white truck with a black hood.
• Damage: Did you notice any damage to their car before they hit you? Like a broken taillight, dents, or scratches? This helps identify the vehicle.
• Special features: Did the car have bumper stickers, window decals, a bike rack, or any special markings? Was there a company name on the side?
• Direction they went: Which way did the driver go after hitting you? Did they turn left, right, or keep going straight? What street did they use?
• What the driver looked like: If you saw the driver, try to remember basic things like if they were male or female, young or old, or what they were wearing.

3. Find Witnesses Who Saw What Happened

Witnesses are people who saw the accident happen. They can tell the police what they saw, and their information can really help your case. Witnesses are especially important because the other driver isn't there to give their side of the story.

How to find and talk to witnesses:

• Look around: Are there people standing nearby who saw what happened? They might be on the sidewalk, in other cars that stopped, or in nearby buildings.
• Ask politely: Walk up to them and politely ask, 'Did you see what happened?' If they say yes, ask if they can wait for the police or if you can get their contact information.
• Get their information: Write down their name, phone number, and address. If they're willing, ask them what they saw. Did they see the other car? Do they remember the license plate or what the car looked like?
• Give this to police: When the police arrive, tell them about any witnesses you found. Give the officer their contact information.

If you were walking or riding a bike when you were hit, witnesses are even more important. They can tell the police that you were following the rules and that the driver shouldn't have left.

4. Look for Security Cameras in the Area

Security cameras might have recorded the accident or the car that hit you. This video can be very helpful for finding the driver. Many businesses and homes have cameras now.

Places to look for cameras:

• Stores and businesses: Look at nearby shops, gas stations, restaurants, or banks. These often have cameras pointing at the street or parking lot.
• Traffic cameras: Some intersections have cameras on the traffic lights. The police can check these.
• Homes: Some houses have doorbell cameras or security cameras that might have seen the street.
• Parking lots or garages: If the accident happened near a parking area, there might be cameras.

Tell the police officer about any cameras you noticed. They can ask the business owners for the video. You can also ask businesses yourself, but sometimes they will only give the video to police.

Important: Many cameras only keep video for a few days or weeks before deleting it. This is why you need to report the accident quickly so the police can get the video before it's erased.

5. Tell the Police Everything You Remember

When the police arrive, they will ask you questions about what happened. Be honest and tell them everything you can remember. This is your chance to create an official record of the accident.

What to tell the police:

• What happened: Explain where you were, what you were doing (driving, walking, biking), and how the accident happened.
• About the other car: Share all the details you remember about the vehicle that hit you—color, make, license plate, damage, direction they went.
• About witnesses: Give the officer the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw what happened.
• About cameras: Point out any security cameras you noticed in the area.
• About your injuries: Tell them if you're hurt or if you feel pain anywhere, even if it's just a little bit.

Important: Don't say you're not hurt if you actually feel pain. Some people say they're fine because they're embarrassed or in shock, but then they feel worse later. Always be honest about how you feel.

The police will write a report with all this information. Make sure you get the report number before the officer leaves. You'll need this number when you file an insurance claim.

6. Know the Time Limits for Reporting

In New Jersey, you need to report a hit-and-run accident right away. The law says you must report any accident to the police if someone is hurt or if there is property damage.

Here's what you need to know about timing:

• Call 911 immediately: Don't wait. Call as soon as the accident happens, even if you're not sure how badly you're hurt.
• File a police report within 10 days: If the police don't come to the scene (which is rare for hit-and-runs), you must go to the police station and file a report within 10 days.
• Tell your insurance company quickly: Most insurance companies want you to report accidents within 24 to 72 hours. Check your insurance policy to see exactly how much time you have.

Why these deadlines matter: If you wait too long to report the accident, your insurance company might refuse to pay your claim. Also, evidence (like camera footage) might be deleted if you wait too long. Police also have a better chance of finding the driver if you report it right away.

7. Understand Your Insurance Coverage

After a hit-and-run, your own car insurance might pay for your injuries and car damage. This might seem strange since you didn't cause the accident, but in New Jersey, there's a special type of insurance that helps when the other driver can't be found or doesn't have insurance.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM):

This is the most important coverage for hit-and-run accidents. Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage pays for your injuries when the driver who hit you doesn't have insurance or can't be found. Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage helps when the other driver's insurance isn't enough to cover all your costs.

• What it covers: Your medical bills, lost wages from missing work, pain and suffering, and other costs related to your injuries.
• Do I have this coverage? Look at your car insurance policy. Most New Jersey drivers have UM/UIM coverage, but not everyone does. It's usually not very expensive to add it to your policy.
• If you were walking or biking: Your own car insurance UM/UIM coverage might still apply, even if you weren't in your car when you got hit. If you don't have car insurance, someone you live with might have coverage that can help you.

Collision Coverage:

This coverage pays to fix your car after an accident, even if the other driver can't be found. You usually have to pay a deductible first (like $500 or $1,000), and then your insurance pays the rest.

Call your insurance company: Contact them as soon as possible after the accident. Tell them what happened and ask them to explain what coverage you have. They will tell you what to do next.

8. How Police Investigate Hit-and-Run Accidents

After you report the hit-and-run, the police will start investigating to try to find the driver who hit you. Understanding how they do this can help you know what to expect.

What the police do:

• Check the license plate: If you or a witness got the license plate number (or even part of it), police can look it up in their computer system to find out who owns the car.
• Look at camera footage: Police will request video from traffic cameras and nearby businesses to see if they can see the car or get the license plate number.
• Talk to witnesses: Police will interview anyone who saw the accident to get more details about what happened and what the car looked like.
• Search for the vehicle: If they know what kind of car they're looking for, police will watch for that car in the area. They might also send out an alert to other police officers.
• Look for damage: The car that hit you probably has damage too. Police will look for cars with fresh damage that match the description.
• Check repair shops: Sometimes police ask local auto body shops if anyone recently brought in a car with damage that matches the accident.

How long does it take? Some hit-and-run investigations are solved quickly (within days), while others take weeks or months. Some are never solved. It depends on how much information the police have to work with. That's why getting as many details as possible right after the accident is so important.

Can you help? Yes! If you remember something new or see a car that looks like the one that hit you, call the police right away. Give them the report number from your accident and tell them what you found.

9. Criminal vs. Civil Cases: What's the Difference?

When someone causes a hit-and-run accident, there are two separate types of legal cases that can happen: criminal and civil. It's important to understand the difference because they work differently and have different results.

Criminal Case:

A criminal case is when the government (the state of New Jersey) charges the driver with a crime for leaving the scene of an accident.

• Who's in charge: The police and prosecutors (government lawyers) handle the criminal case. You don't control this case—the state does.
• What happens: If police find the driver, that person can be arrested and charged with a crime. In New Jersey, leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime, especially if someone was hurt.
• Possible punishments: The driver could go to jail, pay fines, lose their driver's license, or have to do community service. The punishment depends on how serious the accident was.
• Does this help you? A criminal case punishes the driver, but it doesn't give you money to pay for your medical bills or car damage. That's where a civil case comes in.

Civil Case:

A civil case is when you (or your lawyer) sue the driver to get money for your injuries and damages.

• Who's in charge: You are in charge of a civil case. You (or your lawyer) decide whether to sue the driver.
• What happens: You can ask the court to make the driver pay for your medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs.
• When can you do this: You can only file a civil case if the police find the driver. If the driver is never found, you'll need to use your own insurance (uninsured motorist coverage) instead.
• Do you need a lawyer? For a civil case, it's a good idea to talk to a lawyer. They can help you figure out how much money you should ask for and handle the legal paperwork.

Important: Both cases can happen at the same time. The driver can be charged with a crime AND you can sue them for money. One doesn't stop the other.

10. When Should You Talk to a Lawyer?

Not every hit-and-run accident needs a lawyer, but many do. Here's how to know if you should talk to one.

You should talk to a lawyer if:

• You were hurt: If you have any injuries, even small ones, a lawyer can help make sure you get all the money you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain.
• Your car was badly damaged: If your car is totaled or needs expensive repairs, a lawyer can help you get fair payment from your insurance company.
• Your insurance company denies your claim: If your insurance company says they won't pay, a lawyer can fight for you and explain why they should pay.
• The police find the driver: If police find who hit you, a lawyer can help you file a civil lawsuit to get money from that person.
• You were walking or riding a bike: Pedestrian and bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries. A lawyer who knows these types of cases can help.
• You're confused about what to do: If you don't understand your insurance coverage or what your rights are, a lawyer can explain everything in a way that makes sense.

Good news about lawyer costs: Many personal injury lawyers work on 'contingency.' This means they don't charge you any money upfront. They only get paid if they win your case and get you money. Usually, they take a percentage (like 33%) of whatever money you receive. If they don't win, you don't pay them.

When to call: It's best to talk to a lawyer soon after your accident. Most lawyers offer free consultations, which means you can meet with them and ask questions without paying anything. They'll tell you if you have a good case and if they can help you.

11. Take Care of Yourself

Being in a hit-and-run accident is very stressful. It's normal to feel angry, scared, or upset. While you're dealing with police reports and insurance claims, don't forget to take care of yourself.

• See a doctor: Even if you feel okay, get checked by a doctor. Some injuries don't show symptoms right away. Tell the doctor about any pain, soreness, or discomfort.
• Follow your treatment plan: If the doctor says you need physical therapy, medication, or follow-up visits, make sure you go. This helps you heal and also creates a record of your injuries.
• Keep all your paperwork: Save copies of medical bills, police reports, photos of damage, and anything else related to the accident. You'll need these for your insurance claim.
• Talk to someone: If you're feeling anxious or having trouble sleeping after the accident, talk to a friend, family member, or counselor. It's normal to feel shaken up after something scary happens.

Remember: You didn't do anything wrong. The person who hit you and drove away is responsible for what happened. Focus on getting better and let the police and your lawyer handle finding that person.

Quick Checklist: What to Do After a Hit-and-Run

Print this checklist and keep it in your car. If you're ever in a hit-and-run accident, you can check off each step as you do it.

• Stay at the scene—do not leave or chase the other driver
• Call 911 immediately and tell them it's a hit-and-run
• Check yourself and others for injuries
• Try to remember details about the other car:
• License plate (even partial)
• Make, model, and color
• Direction they went
• Any damage or special features
• Look for witnesses and get their names and phone numbers
• Point out any nearby security cameras to police
• Tell the police everything you remember about the accident
• Get the police report number from the officer
• Take photos of your car damage, injuries, and the accident scene
• Call your insurance company within 24-72 hours
• See a doctor, even if you think you're okay
• Consider talking to a lawyer, especially if you were injured
• Keep all paperwork: police report, medical bills, repair estimates
• Follow up with police about their investigation

Final Reminder

Hit-and-run accidents are scary and frustrating, but you can get through this. Follow these steps, ask for help when you need it, and remember that you have rights. The most important things are to stay safe, get medical help, report everything to the police, and protect yourself by working with your insurance company and possibly a lawyer. You don't have to face this alone.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about what to do after a hit-and-run accident in New Jersey. It is not legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for talking to a qualified attorney. Every situation is different. If you have specific questions about your accident, contact a New Jersey personal injury lawyer for help with your case.