How do I handle a hit-and-run?

Here's exactly what to do, who to report it to, and how to protect your right to compensation — even without the other driver's information.

Not having the other driver's information doesn't mean you're out of options.

Report right away

A prompt police report is the strongest thing you can do for your case

MVAIC may apply

New York has a specific program for accidents involving unidentified drivers

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You still have a path forward

When the other driver flees the scene, it's easy to feel like you have no way to be compensated. That's not true in New York. Between your own no-fault coverage and MVAIC — the state program for accidents involving unidentified drivers — you still have real options. What matters most right now is acting quickly and documenting what you can.

What to do, in order

1
Get safe and call 911 if neededYour safety and any injuries come first, before trying to remember details about the other vehicle.
2
Capture every detail you canLicense plate (even partial), vehicle color and type, direction it fled, and any witnesses nearby. Ask nearby businesses if they have camera footage.
3
File a police report right awayThis creates the official record that the driver fled and couldn't be identified — essential for both your own claim and a possible MVAIC claim.
4
Report to your own insurer and look into MVAICYour own no-fault coverage still applies. If the driver can't be identified, MVAIC may be an additional path.

Even a partial plate number helps

Don't assume incomplete information isn't worth reporting. A partial plate, a general description, or a witness who saw more than you did can all matter. Report what you have — investigators can work with more than you'd expect.

Good to know

Your own no-fault coverage still applies even if the other driver is never identified — you file with your own insurer the same as any other accident.
The 30-day filing deadline still applies to you. A hit-and-run doesn't pause that clock.
MVAIC has its own separate deadlines. Worth looking into promptly rather than waiting to see if the driver is found.

Common questions

Do I still get coverage if the driver is never found?

Yes. Your own no-fault policy still covers your medical bills and lost wages regardless of whether the other driver is identified. MVAIC may also apply.

What if I only caught a partial license plate?

Report it anyway. Partial information, combined with witness accounts or nearby camera footage, can still help identify the driver or support an MVAIC claim if they aren't found.

Does a hit-and-run change my 30-day deadline?

No — your standard no-fault filing deadline still applies. Don't let the search for the other driver delay reporting your own claim.

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