• A hit-and-run does not necessarily mean you have no way to recover compensation, even if the driver is never identified.
• Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may provide compensation when an unidentified driver causes an accident.
• After a hit-and-run, report the accident promptly, seek medical care, document the scene, and collect witness information when possible.
• Surveillance footage, vehicle debris, witnesses, and other physical evidence may help identify the fleeing driver.
• Your own insurance company may have an obligation to handle a UM claim fairly, but it is still important to protect your interests when negotiating a settlement.
• An experienced hit and run lawyer in Las Vegas can investigate the accident, handle the insurance claim, and pursue available sources of compensation.
• Edvin Jones Law Firm is a trusted firm to help you out.

Hit-and-Run Accidents in Nevada: What to Do and How to Recover Compensation

Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be frightening and frustrating. You may be injured, your vehicle may be damaged, and the person responsible may be gone before you can identify them.

But an unidentified driver does not automatically mean that you have no legal options.

Depending on your insurance coverage and the circumstances of the accident, you may be able to pursue compensation through uninsured motorist coverage. If the driver is eventually identified, you may also have a claim directly against that driver.

A hit and run lawyer in Las Vegas can investigate what happened, identify potential sources of compensation, and help protect your rights throughout the insurance process.

What Should You Do Immediately After a Hit-and-Run?

Your first priority should be safety and medical attention.

If you are able to do so safely, take the following steps:

Call 911

Report the accident to law enforcement and request emergency medical assistance if anyone is injured.

Do Not Chase the Driver

Do not pursue a fleeing vehicle. Instead, provide police with whatever identifying information you remember.

Document the Scene

Take photographs or videos of:

• Your vehicle damage
• Your injuries
• The roadway
• Traffic signals and signs
• Skid marks
• Vehicle debris
• Paint or vehicle parts left at the scene
• Nearby businesses or buildings with cameras

Look for Witnesses

Ask people who saw the collision for their names and contact information. Witness testimony can become extremely valuable when the other driver is unidentified.

Record Everything You Remember

Write down as much as possible about the fleeing vehicle, including:

• Color
• Make and model
• Approximate year
• License plate information, even if incomplete
• Direction of travel
• Damage to the other vehicle
• Any distinguishing features

Memory can fade quickly after a traumatic event, so documenting these details as soon as possible can help.

Seek Medical Attention

Some accident injuries do not produce immediate symptoms.

A medical evaluation creates an important record of your injuries and can help identify conditions that may otherwise go untreated.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage After a Hit-and-Run

One of the most important potential sources of compensation after a hit-and-run is uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.

When a driver causes an accident and cannot be identified, the claim may potentially be handled under the uninsured motorist provisions of your own auto insurance policy, subject to the policy terms and applicable Nevada law.

Depending on the coverage available and the circumstances, compensation may include losses such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Certain future accident-related expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Other qualifying damages

The exact amount available depends on your policy, the nature of your injuries, and the applicable law.

Your Insurance Company Is Not Your Personal Advocate

A common misconception is that filing a claim with your own insurance company means the process will automatically be straightforward.

A UM claim is still an insurance claim, and disputes can arise regarding:

• Whether the accident qualifies for UM coverage
• The extent of your injuries
• Whether treatment was necessary
• The value of your lost income
• The amount of pain and suffering
• Whether your injuries were caused by the accident
• The amount of compensation that should be paid

An attorney can review the policy, gather supporting evidence, communicate with the insurer, and negotiate for compensation that reflects the actual losses supported by the evidence.

Can the Hit-and-Run Driver Still Be Found?

Yes. A hit-and-run driver may sometimes be identified even when they initially leave the scene.

Potential sources of evidence include:

Surveillance Cameras

Businesses, residences, traffic cameras, parking facilities, and other nearby locations may have captured the collision or the fleeing vehicle.

Witnesses

A witness may remember details about the vehicle that the injured person did not notice.

Vehicle Debris

Broken headlights, mirrors, bumper components, paint transfer, and other debris can potentially provide clues about the fleeing vehicle.

Accident Reconstruction

In more complicated cases, physical evidence can help reconstruct how the collision occurred and provide information about the vehicles involved.

Law Enforcement Investigation

Police may use available evidence and witness information to identify the driver.

If the driver is located, the legal situation can change significantly because the injured person may have a potential claim against the at-fault driver in addition to available insurance coverage.

What If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Found?

If law enforcement identifies the driver, the driver may face criminal consequences for leaving the scene.

Separately, the injured person may have a civil claim for damages arising from the accident.

Criminal proceedings and a personal injury claim are separate legal matters. A criminal case does not necessarily compensate the victim for all medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, or other civil damages.

An attorney can evaluate the civil claim independently and determine what compensation may be available.

What Evidence Should You Preserve?

The sooner evidence is preserved, the better.

Important evidence may include:

• Police reports
• Medical records
• Photographs and videos
• Vehicle repair estimates
• Surveillance footage
• Witness statements
• Dashcam footage
• Cellphone recordings
• Vehicle debris
• Insurance policies
• Communications with insurance adjusters
• Employment and wage records

If surveillance footage may exist, it is important to act quickly because many systems automatically overwrite recordings.

What If You Do Not Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

A hit-and-run claim can become more complicated if you do not have applicable UM coverage and the driver cannot be identified.

However, an attorney can investigate whether another potentially responsible party or another insurance policy may exist.

For example, the circumstances of the collision may raise questions involving a vehicle owner, employer, property owner, or another party.

There is no guarantee that another source of recovery exists, but the circumstances should be investigated before assuming that no compensation is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if I do not have uninsured motorist coverage?

If the hit-and-run driver is never identified and you do not have applicable UM coverage, recovering compensation may be more difficult.

However, an investigation may reveal another potentially responsible party or another applicable insurance policy. An attorney can review the circumstances before determining what options are available.

2. How long do I have to report a hit-and-run in Nevada?

Hit-and-run accidents involving injury or significant property damage should be reported to law enforcement promptly.

Do not delay reporting the accident while waiting to see whether symptoms develop or whether the driver can be located.

Prompt reporting can also help preserve evidence and support an insurance claim.

3. Can I make a claim against my own insurance company after a hit-and-run?

Potentially, yes. If your policy includes applicable uninsured motorist coverage, you may be able to make a UM claim after an accident caused by an unidentified driver.

Your policy language and the specific facts of the accident determine whether coverage applies.

4. What if my insurance company offers me a settlement after a hit-and-run?

Do not automatically accept the first settlement offer.

Before signing a release, make sure you understand whether the proposed amount adequately accounts for your medical expenses, lost income, ongoing treatment, pain and suffering, and other qualifying damages.

Once a settlement is accepted and a release is signed, you may lose the ability to seek additional compensation.

5. Can I pursue a claim if the hit-and-run driver is eventually identified?

Potentially, yes. If the driver is identified, you may have a personal injury claim against the person responsible for causing the collision.

The driver’s insurance coverage, your own UM/UIM coverage, the severity of your injuries, and other circumstances can all affect the available recovery.

Contact Edvin Jones Injury Law

If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident in Las Vegas or elsewhere in Nevada, you do not necessarily have to handle the insurance process alone.

Edvin Jones Injury Law can investigate the collision, evaluate available insurance coverage, preserve evidence, and pursue compensation for qualifying losses.