What to Do After a Hit and Run in Illinois
The steps you take in the first hours and days after a hit and run can make or break your claim. Here is exactly what to do, and what to avoid.
After a hit and run in Chicago, take these steps as soon as you safely can: call 911 and get a police report, document the scene and any vehicle details, gather witness information, seek medical care even if you feel okay, and speak with an attorney before giving a statement to any insurance company. These actions protect both your health and your right to compensation.
It is hard to think clearly right after a crash, especially when the driver who hit you is gone. That is normal. You do not have to do everything perfectly, and you do not need to identify the driver to have a strong claim. This guide walks you through what matters most so you can focus on getting through it.
Below we cover each step in order, the deadlines that can affect your claim, and the common mistakes that insurers use against hit and run victims. When you are ready, we are here to help.
At the Scene
If you are able to act safely:
- Call 911. Report the crash and request police and medical help. A police report is critical for your insurance claim.
- Note the vehicle. Write down or photograph anything you can: color, make, model, partial plate, direction of travel, and any damage or markings.
- Photograph everything. The scene, your injuries, road conditions, and any debris.
- Get witness information. Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw what happened.
- Do not chase the driver. Your safety and a clear police report matter more than pursuit.
Get Medical Care, Even If You Feel Okay
Adrenaline masks injuries. Some of the most serious problems, including concussions and internal injuries, may not show symptoms for hours or days. See a doctor promptly. Prompt treatment protects your health and creates a medical record that ties your injuries to the crash, which the insurer will otherwise try to dispute.
Report to Your Insurer, Carefully
You generally must notify your own insurer to open an uninsured motorist claim, and notice deadlines can be short. But be careful: the insurer's questions are not neutral. Avoid giving a recorded statement or accepting any settlement before you understand your rights. Speaking with an attorney first costs nothing and protects your claim.
Watch the Deadlines
Illinois generally allows two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but uninsured motorist claims can carry notice requirements as short as 30 days. Evidence also disappears fast, as traffic camera footage is often overwritten within days. The sooner you act, the stronger your claim.
Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Claim
The hours and days after a hit and run are when claims are quietly won or lost. Avoid these common mistakes:
- Giving a recorded statement to any insurer before speaking with an attorney
- Accepting a fast settlement offer before you know the full extent of your injuries
- Posting about the crash on social media, which insurers monitor and use against claimants
- Skipping or delaying medical care, which gives the insurer room to argue you were not really hurt
- Guessing or downplaying when describing what happened, instead of sticking to what you know
- Waiting too long and missing a short uninsured motorist notice deadline
None of these are obvious in the moment, which is exactly why a free early consultation is worth it.
How Common Are Hit and Run Crashes?
If this happened to you, you are far from alone. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported that more than 900,000 police-reported crashes in 2023 involved a driver who left the scene, about 15 percent of all crashes, and that hit and run crashes caused 2,872 deaths that year. Pedestrians and bicyclists accounted for more than 70 percent of those killed.
Those numbers are one more reason to move quickly. The evidence that proves your case, from camera footage to witness memories, is at its strongest in the first hours and days.
Get a Free Case Review
Tell us what happened. We'll review your case and explain your options at no cost, no obligation.
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- No fee unless we win your case
The First 48 Hours, in Order
Call 911 and Get a Report
Report the crash, request help, and make sure a police report is created with a case number.
Document and Gather
Photograph the scene and your injuries, note vehicle details, and collect witness contact information.
See a Doctor
Get checked promptly, even if you feel fine, to protect your health and your record.
Call an Attorney
Speak with a lawyer before giving any statement to an insurer. The call is free and protects your claim.
Related Hit and Run Practice Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
Call 911 and get a police report. It documents the crash, starts the official record, and is essential for your uninsured motorist claim. Then seek medical care and speak with an attorney before talking to an insurer.
Yes. You do not need to identify the driver. Uninsured motorist coverage applies to hit and run crashes where the driver fled and cannot be found. Share whatever details you have with your attorney.
Not before speaking with an attorney. Insurer questions are designed to limit what they pay. A free consultation protects you from saying something that hurts your claim.
Quickly. Uninsured motorist notice deadlines can be as short as 30 days, and evidence like camera footage disappears within days. Contact an attorney as soon as you can.
Nothing. The consultation is free, and we work on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
