Hit and run: what should I do?

What should I do straight away?

1. Make sure everyone is safe. Call 999 if anyone is injured or the road is blocked.
2. Don’t chase the other driver. It puts you and others at risk.
3. Write down what you saw as soon as you can: the registration, even partly, the make, model and colour, and which way it went.
4. Look for witnesses and take their names and phone numbers.
5. Photograph the scene, the damage and any debris left by the other vehicle.
6. Report it to the police and keep the reference number.

Why does reporting to the police matter?

A driver who leaves without giving their details is committing an offence, and the police may be able to trace them. A police reference number is also important evidence for your claim.

If the driver is never found, claims through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau usually depend on the accident having been reported to the police promptly. Its rules set short deadlines, so report as soon as you can rather than waiting to see whether the driver turns up.

Who do I claim against?

• The driver is traced and insured: you claim against their insurer, as you would after any non-fault accident.
• The driver is traced but uninsured: a claim may be made through the MIB.
• The driver is never found: injury claims can often be made through the MIB. Cover for vehicle damage alone is more limited and depends on the circumstances.

See uninsured and hit-and-run driver claims and what happens if the other driver isn’t insured.

What evidence helps trace the driver?

• Dashcam footage, yours or another driver’s, saved straight away
• CCTV from nearby shops, homes or buses. Ask quickly, as footage can be recorded over within days
• Paint transfer or broken parts left at the scene
• Witness accounts, written down while they’re fresh

Frequently asked questions