[email protected] | October 15, 2026 | Car Accidents
A hit-and-run accident can leave you dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and an insurance claim without knowing who caused the crash. Virginia law and your own insurance coverage may provide ways to recover compensation even if the other driver is never found.
Whether you need a lawyer after a hit-and-run accident depends on the facts of your case. Minor property damage may be handled through insurance, while serious injuries, disputed coverage, or problems identifying the driver can make a claim more complex.
What Should You Do After a Hit-and-Run?
Call the police and report the crash as soon as possible. Give officers any information you remember about the other vehicle, such as its make, model, color, license plate number, or direction of travel.
If you can do so safely, collect evidence at the scene. Helpful information may include:
- Photos of your vehicle and the crash scene
- Witness names and contact information
- Video from a dashcam
- Nearby security or traffic cameras
- Debris left by the other vehicle
- A description of the driver or vehicle
Seek medical care if you are injured. Medical records can document your injuries and connect your treatment to the collision.
What Does Virginia Law Require After a Crash?
A driver involved in a crash that causes injury, death, or certain property damage cannot simply leave.
Virginia law generally requires a driver to stop and provide identifying information after a qualifying accident. The driver must also provide reasonable assistance to anyone injured.
Leaving the scene can lead to criminal consequences. However, a criminal case against the driver is separate from your right to seek compensation for your losses.
What if the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Never Found?
You may still have an insurance claim even when police cannot identify the driver.
Virginia auto insurance policies generally include uninsured motorist coverage. Under Virginia law, an unknown driver can be treated as an uninsured motorist in certain cases.
This coverage may help pay for injuries and other covered losses caused by a hit-and-run driver. The policy terms and facts of the accident will determine what coverage is available.
How Can a Lawyer Help With a Hit-and-Run Claim?
Hit-and-run cases can involve both an investigation and an insurance claim.
A lawyer may help by:
- Looking for video footage of the crash
- Identifying and contacting witnesses
- Reviewing police and accident reports
- Investigating the other vehicle
- Reviewing available insurance coverage
- Documenting medical expenses and lost income
- Handling disputes with an insurance company
These steps can be especially important when the driver remains unidentified or if the insurer disputes how the accident occurred.
Even though you may be making a claim through your own insurance policy, the insurer may still investigate liability, damages, and whether the loss is covered.
What Compensation May Be Available?
The compensation available after a hit-and-run depends on the injuries, insurance coverage, and other circumstances.
A claim may include losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle damage
Keep bills, receipts, medical records, employment records, and other documents related to the accident. These records can help establish the amount of your losses.
What if the Driver Is Found Later?
Finding the driver may create additional options for recovering compensation.
The driver’s liability insurance may apply if the policy was active at the time of the accident. If the driver was uninsured, other sources of coverage may still be important.
Identifying the driver can also provide additional evidence about how the crash occurred. Police records, vehicle damage, phone records, and other information may help establish fault.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
Virginia generally gives an injured person two years from the date of their accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Insurance policies may also contain notice requirements and other conditions that must be followed. Waiting can make it harder to find witnesses, obtain video footage, or preserve other evidence.
Reporting the hit-and-run promptly can help protect your ability to pursue available coverage.
Contact the Manassas Car Accident Lawyers at The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm for a Free Consultation
You are not required to hire a lawyer after every hit-and-run accident. A straightforward property damage claim may be possible to handle directly with an insurance company.
A lawyer may be useful when you suffer significant injuries, the other driver cannot be found, coverage is disputed, or the insurer challenges your claim. Understanding the available insurance and preserving evidence early can help you decide how to move forward.
For more information, please contact The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free consultation today. We have two convenient locations in Manassas and Fairfax, Virginia.
The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Manassas
9208 Lee Ave, First Floor, Manassas, VA, 20110
(571) 229-1800
Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Manassas
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.7523907,-77.5566859
The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Fairfax
4000 Legato Rd #1100, Fairfax, VA, 22033
(571) 200-5424
Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Fairfax
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.8657713,-77.3652474