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Reporting a hit and run to the police is one of the most important steps you can take after a driver flees the scene. Filing a police report right away increases the chances of identifying the fleeing driver and also ensures your insurance company accepts the claim without unnecessary delays. However, many people are unsure what to say, what evidence to gather, or how quickly they must act. In these cases, early legal guidance becomes essential.
At Christie Bell & Marshall, our Indianapolis car accident lawyers have decades of experience in hit and run cases and can help you understand exactly how to preserve key information from the scene and avoid common mistakes that can lead insurers to dispute or underpay a claim. With the right guidance from the outset, you can improve the chances of locating the at-fault driver and position your claim for the strongest possible financial recovery.
Step 1: Call 911 and Request Medical Care
Even when injuries seem minor, contact emergency services, as it is easy to underestimate the symptoms of concussions, whiplash, and internal trauma. Paramedics can document your initial condition, which strengthens a later claim for medical expenses or pain and suffering. Additionally, calling 911 creates a timestamped record, which becomes a key part of the police report and later insurance evaluation.
Step 2: Record Every Detail You Remember
While waiting for police to arrive, note anything you recall about the fleeing vehicle, such as:
- Color
- Make and model
- Partial plate number
- Direction of travel
- Damage patterns
- Distinctive stickers or modifications
These details assist officers and increase the chance of locating the driver. Even partial information can support your insurance claim or help investigators cross-reference neighborhood surveillance footage.
Step 3: Photograph the Scene and Vehicle Damage
If possible and safe to do so, capture:
- Your vehicle’s damage
- Skid marks or debris
- Intersection layout, especially in dangerous intersections
- Nearby businesses or homes with security cameras
- Your visible injuries
These images help both law enforcement and insurers reconstruct what happened. They can also be useful later if you need to explain collision dynamics.
Step 4: Obtain the Official Police Report
A timely police report creates an official, unbiased record of what happened. Insurance companies rely on that report to approve uninsured motorist coverage—without it, your insurer may delay or deny compensation.
Officers may include witness statements, suspected vehicle descriptions, and notations about roadway conditions, and reviewing this document as soon as it is available helps ensure information is accurate before negotiations begin. Indiana residents can request this document through their local law enforcement agency.
Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Provider
Insurance companies require timely notice to process hit-and-run claims. When you report the collision, explain:
- Date and time
- Location
- Known injuries
- Police department involved
- Report number
- Evidence gathered
However, be cautious when answering adjuster questions and avoid speculating about fault or speed. Provide only factual details, and never assume the absence of the other driver prevents you from recovering damages.
Step 6: Track Your Medical Records and Expenses
Maintaining consistent treatment supports your case if the insurer questions the severity of injuries or certain long-term medical complications. Make sure to keep the following documentation:
- Emergency room records
- Follow-up evaluations
- Imaging results
- Physical therapy notes
- Prescription receipts
What if the Driver Is Eventually Identified?
If police later identify the driver, your claim may shift from UM coverage to a liability claim against the at-fault individual. This can open access to higher policy limits or additional coverage sources.
Drivers who flee may face criminal penalties under Indiana Code § 9-26-1-8, which addresses leaving the scene after an injury crash. These criminal charges do not prevent a civil claim, and can help establish fault during negotiations.
Why Timely Reporting Matters in Indiana
Indiana Code § 9-26-1-1.1 requires drivers to stop and exchange information after a collision, which is one of your duties after an accident involving property damage or injury. When a driver breaches this duty and leaves the scene, documenting the incident becomes critical for proving fault and accessing uninsured motorist coverage.
Similarly, under Indiana Code § 9-26-2-1, you must immediately notify law enforcement of an accident when someone is hurt, there’s death, or there’s more than $1,000 of property damage. Not reporting results in criminal penalties, including misdemeanor or even felony charges.
Additionally, failing to report a hit-and-run (or any serious collision) can make it much harder to hold the responsible party accountable, both in criminal and insurance proceedings. A timely police report preserves vital evidence, strengthens your claim with insurers, and ensures you comply with your legal duties under Indiana’s motor-vehicle laws.
When You Should Consider Legal Guidance
If the police are still investigating, an attorney can help you provide a clear statement, share evidence without accidentally harming your claim, and make sure officers have the information needed to pursue the driver. When your injuries are serious or your vehicle damage is significant, early guidance also helps preserve medical records, witness statements, and documentation that strengthens both the criminal case and your insurance claim.
People often reach out later, when insurance starts questioning fault, denying coverage under uninsured-motorist provisions, or disputing the timeline, but legal help can still resolve these issues. An attorney can challenge unsupported assumptions, correct reporting errors, and ensure the insurer complies with Indiana law.
Talk to a Lawyer About Your Indiana Hit and Run Case
After a hit and run in Indiana, taking the right steps from the start gives you the best chance to protect your claim and access the insurance coverage available. If you want guidance on requesting a police report, evaluating your uninsured motorist benefits, or building an evidence-supported injury claim, we are here to help.
Contact us today to discuss your situation with an experienced lawyer from Christie Bell & Marshall.
FAQs About Reporting a Hit and Run in Indiana
Do I have to call the police after a hit-and-run in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana requires drivers involved in collisions with injury or significant property damage to stop and notify law enforcement. If the other driver flees, reporting the crash immediately is required for uninsured motorist claims.
Can uninsured motorist coverage apply to a hit-and-run?
Most Indiana auto policies treat hit-and-run collisions the same as accidents caused by uninsured drivers. To qualify, insurers typically require proof that a collision occurred and that you reported it promptly.
What if my injuries appeared hours or days later?
Delayed symptoms are common after hit-and-run crashes. Issues like whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue injuries often become more noticeable over time. Maintaining medical follow-ups and documenting evolving symptoms is crucial.
Will insurance still pay if there were no witnesses?
Yes. Insurers rely on the police report, your vehicle damage, photos or videos, and medical documentation. If there is no independent witness, timely reporting and consistent evidence become even more important.
How long do I have to file a claim after a hit and run in Indiana?
Most injury-related claims fall under a two-year statute of limitations. However, your insurance policy may require much faster notice for UM claims, sometimes within days or weeks. Reporting early protects both deadlines.
What if the hit-and-run driver is found later?
If identified, your claim may transition from UM benefits to a liability claim against the at-fault driver. Police may also charge the driver for leaving the scene of an injury crash.
Should I talk to the insurance adjuster without legal advice?
Adjusters may ask questions that can be used to dispute the severity of an injury or deny coverage. Make sure to avoid speculation about speed, fault, or medical recovery to avoid hurting your claim. It’s safe to provide factual information, but it’s always better to consult an experienced attorney first.
Call 317-488-5500 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form