Executive Summary: Hit-and-run accidents occur when a driver leaves the scene after causing a crash. Alabama law requires drivers to stop and provide information after an accident under Alabama Code § 32-10-1. Victims should call 911, gather evidence from the scene, seek medical care, and report the crash to their insurance company. Uninsured motorist coverage may help compensate victims when the responsible driver cannot be located.
One moment you are driving home. The next, your vehicle is damaged and the other driver is gone.
Hit-and-run crashes leave many people shocked and unsure what to do next. Without the other driver present, it may seem like there is no way to recover damages or hold someone responsible. But Alabama law still provides options for accident victims in these situations.
Knowing what steps to take immediately after the crash can protect your safety, your rights, and your ability to pursue compensation.
Step 1: Move to a Safe Area and Call 911
Safety should always come first. If the vehicle can move, pull over to a safe location away from traffic.
Then call 911 as soon as possible. Even if injuries seem minor, reporting the crash right away helps create an official record of the incident.
Under Alabama Code § 32-10-1, drivers involved in accidents that cause injury, death, or vehicle damage must stop at the scene and provide information. Leaving the scene without doing so is a criminal offense.
When police arrive, they will prepare an accident report that may become important evidence later.
Step 2: Gather Information While You Can
Even though the other driver fled, details from the scene can still help investigators identify the vehicle. If possible, try to note:
- The vehicle’s make, model, and color
- Any partial license plate number
- The direction the driver traveled
- Distinctive vehicle damage or features
If passengers or witnesses saw the crash, ask for their contact information. Their statements may help confirm what happened.
Photographs can also be helpful. Take pictures of:
- Vehicle damage
- The accident location
- Skid marks or debris
- Traffic signs or signals nearby
Step 3: Seek Medical Attention
Some injuries appear hours or days after a crash. Even if you feel fine at first, it is wise to seek medical care as soon as possible.
Medical records can help connect injuries to the accident. They also create documentation that may be important if a claim is filed later.
Prompt treatment also helps protect your health. Many accident injuries become more serious when they go untreated.
Step 4: Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Hit-and-run accidents often involve uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This type of insurance may help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages when the responsible driver cannot be located.
Alabama insurers are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage under Alabama Code § 32-7-23, though drivers may choose to reject it in writing.
If you carry UM coverage, it may apply to hit-and-run accidents because the fleeing driver is effectively uninsured.
When reporting the claim, provide as much detail as possible about the crash.
Step 5: Follow Up on the Police Investigation
Law enforcement may attempt to identify the fleeing driver using witness statements, surveillance cameras, or nearby traffic footage.
In some cases, businesses or homes near the crash site may have security cameras that recorded the vehicle. Because these incidents are so common, investigators often rely on small pieces of information to locate the driver.
Providing accurate details can help move the investigation forward.
Step 6: Understand the Legal Options
Even if the driver is never found, accident victims may still pursue compensation through insurance coverage. If the driver is identified later, additional legal options may become available. Victims may seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Evidence from the scene, medical records, and witness testimony often play an important role in these cases.
A Final Thought
Being hit by a driver who leaves the scene can feel overwhelming. In those moments, it is easy to assume there is little that can be done. Yet the steps taken in the first hours after the crash can shape what happens next.
Accurate information, prompt reporting, and proper documentation often make a difference when pursuing an accident claim. If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, John M. Totten, P.C. works with Alabama accident victims to review evidence, evaluate insurance options, and pursue recovery under state law.
FAQs
- Is leaving the scene of an accident illegal in Alabama?
Yes. Alabama Code § 32-10-1 requires drivers to stop and provide information after accidents involving injury, death, or vehicle damage. - Can I still recover compensation if the driver is never found?
Yes. Uninsured motorist coverage may apply to hit-and-run accidents in Alabama. - Should I call the police after a hit-and-run accident?
Yes. Reporting the crash immediately helps create an official record and may assist investigators in locating the driver. - What evidence helps in a hit-and-run claim?
Photographs, witness statements, surveillance footage, and medical records can all support a claim. - How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Alabama?
In many cases, Alabama law allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Alabama Code § 6-2-38.
John M. Totten
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