Does Uninsured Motorist Cover Hit-and-Run?
What You Need to Know

Hit-and-run drivers are everywhere. If you’ve had your car mysteriously dinged in a parking lot, you know how annoying it is. But there are much more sinister hit-and-run cases where drivers cause injury and flee the accident scene. According to data from 2021, a hit-and-run accident happens every 43 seconds.

What happens if you’re hurt by a hit-and-run driver? Who pays for your injury? How can you seek compensation? As an experienced car accident attorney, here’s what I can tell you.

Uninsured motorist coverage can be the answer, but getting the insurance company to pay can often be a difficult process.

If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run driver, contact the police to report the crash, then call us at 1-866-900-7078 or contact us online for help.

What Insurance Can Cover You Against Hit-and-Run Drivers?

When a hit-and-run driver causes an accident, there can be two kinds of damage: property damage and bodily injury. The driver who can’t navigate a parking lot correctly, dings a car, and leaves the scene without saying anything thankfully only does property damage. If a driver strikes a car filled with passengers or a pedestrian and flees, this often involves bodily injury, sometimes catastrophic.

Call James Scott Farrin if you or a loved one were hurt by a hit-and-run driver.

Uninsured motorist coverage is a required part of car insurance in most states, North and South Carolina included. It’s part of your policy, even if you have the minimum required insurance coverage.

FAST FACT: According to a AAA study, drivers who flee the scene of an accident are 9x more likely to be under the influence.

What Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Pay For?

Uninsured motorist coverage can pay for:

  • Bodily injury: Uninsured motorist coverage includes bodily injury coverage. The amount of coverage that may be available depends on your policy.
  • Property damage: Uninsured motorist coverage includes coverage for damage to property such as your car and personal belongings. Your policy determines the amount of coverage that may be available.

You and your attorney can review your policy for the specifics regarding how much coverage you may have available. Don’t get frustrated if the insurance company denies your claim. Call an attorney instead. Remember, most insurance companies make more by paying out less for claims, even hit-and-run claims.

For a free professional opinion on your case, call 1-866-900-7078 now, or submit your online form.

What if I Am a Pedestrian Injured by a Hit-and-Run Driver?

Believe it or not, your automobile coverage may have your back here. Uninsured motorist coverage can also cover you as a pedestrian if an uninsured or hit-and-run driver hits you. Other coverage may also be available, and an experienced car accident attorney can help you seek out those policies and fight for maximum compensation.

FAST FACT: According to AAA, about 65% of fatalities from hit-and-run drivers are pedestrians and cyclists.

Are There Limits to Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

With an insurance policy, there are two limits. The hard limit is the policy limit – every policy has a maximum amount it will compensate. For example, if you hear that someone has “50/100” coverage, it likely refers to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage.

There’s also a soft limit – how much the insurance company will offer or agree to pay. For example, just because the maximum insurance coverage is $100,000 does not mean the insurance company will happily cut a check for that amount. Most make more money by paying as little as possible. Even your own insurance company is protecting their interests, not yours.

A chart explaining what uninsured motorist coverage is a available in North Carolina.
Before you agree to anything, consult a personal injury attorney for a free case evaluation. Accepting a lowball offer or cashing a check you got in the mail may end your compensation claim when the bills are just beginning.

FAST FACT: Studies estimate that only about 10% of hit-and-run cases get solved. In 2017, one police department reported solving just 8% of these cases.

How Your Attorney Fights for You

You’re required to carry uninsured motorist coverage just in case a hit-and-run driver runs into you. That’s what it’s for, so don’t be afraid to use it. And don’t be surprised if the insurance company denies, delays, or offers too little.

We recommend that you hire a lawyer to help you accurately value your hit-and-run injury case and fight for all the compensation you may deserve. But that’s just the start of what your attorney can do for you:

Top 7 things a personal injury attorney can do for you

Free Professional Opinion on Your Case

Since 1997, the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin has helped recover more than $1.8 billion in total compensation for 65,000+ people. And counting.1

We will take your case only if we think we can get you a better result than you would get without us. Our You-First Policy means we always act in your best interests. But don’t take our word for it:

The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin received 4.8 stars out of more than 3,000 reviews.
Contact us online or call 1-866-900-7078 today for a free case evaluation!

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS



Am I required to have uninsured motorist insurance in North or South Carolina?

Both North Carolina and South Carolina have mandatory car insurance laws, and both states include a requirement that drivers carry uninsured motorist insurance. In North Carolina, the minimum amount of uninsured motorist coverage is $30,000 bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 per accident. In South Carolina, the minimum is $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 per accident.

Can I make a diminished value claim in a hit-and-run accident?

If you’re involved in an accident that is not your fault, hit-and-run or otherwise, and your vehicle is damaged, you may have a claim for diminished value – the damage to your vehicle’s monetary value due to its involvement in a crash.

Will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance?

Claiming against your uninsured motorist policy shouldn’t raise your premiums, depending on the laws of your state. You weren’t at fault. You may, however, have a deductible to pay in order to receive coverage. One of the most important things an attorney can do for you after a wreck is review all potential insurance coverages and try to get the most compensation possible in your pocket.

About the Author

Emily Fertig is a personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin. She is licensed to practice in both Mississippi and North Carolina, and knew she wanted to focus on personal injury law and helping injured people right out of law school. Emily approaches everyone with her characteristic empathy, welcoming clients warmly and taking the time to understand what each person is going through. Emily is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, the Mississippi Bar Association, and the Durham County Bar Association.

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I was blindsided by another driver and I didn’t know what to do.

I was blindsided by another driver and I didn’t know what to do. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about James Scott Farrin, and I now know those things to be true. My expectations have been exceeded.

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When my husband left for work that day, we had no idea how much our lives were going to change.

When my husband left for work that day, we had no idea how much our lives were going to change. It was a horrible accident, but James Scott Farrin was with us every step of the way. They went beyond their duties and comforted and assured us we were not alone.

For legal reasons and client confidentiality, reviews have been slightly edited to remove identifying information and correct typos.

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