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“I didn’t know” sounds simple until you realize what you are really arguing. You are not just saying you made a mistake. You are saying the impact was so minor, so unclear, or so confusing that a reasonable driver would not have recognized they were involved in a crash that required them to stop, exchange information, or report what happened.
In this article, our car accident lawyers explain when “I didn’t know” holds up as a defense in Indiana hit-and-run cases, and what evidence actually determines whether a driver should have known contact occurred.
“Hit and Run Without Knowing” Is Not a Magic Reset Button
Indiana does not let drivers erase legal duties just by saying they were unaware. The real question becomes: should the driver have known they were involved in a collision that triggered duties to stop, remain at the scene, provide information, and, in certain situations, report the crash. Indiana’s state-published overview of driver duties and crash reporting expectations lays this out:
- If you were the person hit, “they didn’t know” often becomes the story an insurer uses to stall, reduce liability, or argue the collision was too minor to cause injury.
- If you were the driver who later realizes contact happened, delay can harden into a credibility problem, especially once the other party reports the incident and the timeline is no longer yours to control.
If the evidence shows the driver slowed down, looked in the mirror, or pulled over briefly before leaving, “I didn’t know” becomes much harder to defend. On the other hand, if the impact was a brush in heavy traffic with no visible damage and no witnesses reporting erratic behavior, the explanation may hold up.
Situations Where Drivers Genuinely Might Not Realize Contact Happened
Not every “I didn’t know” claim is nonsense. There are scenarios where a person can miss the moment, especially when there is noise, distraction, or low-speed contact:
- A parking lot scrape where bumpers barely touch and there is more sound from shopping carts than impact.
- A mirror clip in traffic where the contact is brief and both vehicles continue moving.
- A sideswipe in heavy rain or at night where a driver hears a sound but assumes it was road debris.
- A large vehicle incident where the driver’s blind spots and cab noise reduce awareness.
The problem is that these explanations live or die by physical proof, and that proof is usually visible on the vehicle, on nearby cameras, or in the statements made right after the event.
What Police and Insurers Look at to Decide Whether the Driver “Should Have Known”
When “I didn’t know” turns into an investigation, decision-makers focus on facts that suggest awareness, including:
- Damage patterns that match the reported crash (paint transfer, bumper height alignment, mirror break points).
- Debris location and the positions of vehicles at the time of contact.
- Witness accounts describing braking, hesitation, or a moment where the driver appeared to notice the collision.
- Video evidence from businesses, intersections, doorbell cameras, and dashcams.
- Post-crash behavior such as immediately pulling into a nearby lot, circling the block, or stopping briefly and leaving.
Local cases show why evidence moves quickly. Lafayette-area investigations commonly rely on public tips, camera footage, and rapid identification of vehicles, which is why waiting days to “figure it out” can take options off the table.
How Christie Bell & Marshall Can Help With a “Hit and Run Without Knowing” Situation
Whether you are the person hit or you are dealing with a crash you only realized later, the core problem is the same: you need a clean timeline, preserved evidence, and an insurance strategy that does not hand the carrier an excuse to deny or discount the claim.
When you work with CBM, we focus on what moves the case forward:
- Preserving footage and locating witnesses while the evidence window is still open
- Building a medical record that clearly ties each diagnosis to the collision
- Handling insurer communications so you are not boxed into a damaging statement
- Identifying every available coverage path, including claims that depend on early reporting and proper documentation
If you’re dealing with a hit-and-run situation in Lafayette—whether you were the one hit or you’re just now realizing you may have been involved—Christie Bell & Marshall is here to help you understand your options and protect your claim. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and get straightforward answers about what happens next.
FAQs About Hit and Run Without Knowing in Lafayette, Indiana
Can You Be Charged With a Hit and Run in Indiana if You Didn’t Know You Hit Something?
It depends on the facts. The key issue becomes whether a reasonable driver should have recognized the collision and stopped to handle it properly. Indiana’s Driving Laws overview helps explain the underlying duties that apply after a crash.
What Should I Do if I Realize Later That I Might Have Been Involved in a Crash in Lafayette?
Document your vehicle, write down what you remember, and report the situation appropriately rather than trying to fix the damage quietly. Delay tends to create credibility problems, especially once the other party reports the incident or video evidence surfaces.
If the Other Driver Says They Didn’t Know, Can I Still Recover Compensation?
Yes. Their explanation does not erase your right to pursue an injury claim. Your outcome usually depends on evidence showing contact occurred and on medical documentation tying your injuries to the collision, which is why early reporting and treatment consistency matter.
Do I Need a Police Report for a Hit-and-Run Insurance Claim?
Not always, but it often helps. A police report creates an independent record that insurers rely on when evaluating what happened, especially when the at-fault driver is unknown or disputes the collision.
Why Do These Cases Turn Into Fights With Insurance Companies?
Because “I didn’t know” becomes a convenient way to question the crash, question the injury, or question both. The best way to counter that is with early evidence preservation, a clear timeline, and consistent medical documentation.
Call 317-488-5500 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form