It’s all still a blur. You were sitting at a red light when another car rear-ended you. Before you could process what happened, the driver sped away. Now you’re dealing with injuries, a damaged vehicle, and the sinking realization that the person responsible is just—gone.
Understandably, hit-and-run crashes make you feel violated, but the steps you take in the moments and days that follow can determine how well you recover physically, emotionally, and financially. Alderson Law wants to help you eliminate the confusion and frustration these collisions create, and turn chaos into clarity when accountability seems impossible. This isn't about following a checklist—it’s about protecting yourself when someone else refused to do the right thing.
Table of Contents
Why Do Hit-and-Run Cases Demand Immediate Action?
When another motorist flees, evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses leave. Surveillance footage gets overwritten. Tire marks fade. The first hours after the collision are the only window many victims have to build a credible case, yet most people don't realize how fragile that evidence really is.
South Carolina law requires drivers involved in accidents must remain at the scene and exchange information. When someone violates this duty, they're also making your claim exponentially harder to prove. Without a clear at-fault driver, insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. That's why what you do immediately after a hit and run matters more than almost anything else in your case.
At the Scene: What Priorities Protect You?
Your first obligation is to yourself. Check for injuries and get medical care, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain, and rear-end collisions—the most common hit-and-run scenario—can cause serious neck and back injuries that don't show symptoms for hours or even days. Whiplash, herniated discs, and spinal ligament damage frequently appear minor at first, then escalate into chronic pain, numbness, or mobility issues that disrupt your life for months.
Once you've assessed your condition, focus on documentation:
- Call 911 immediately. A police report creates an official record of the incident, even if the other driver is long gone. Officers document skid marks, vehicle debris, and traffic camera footage, which can become critical evidence later.
- Photograph everything. Capture damage to your vehicle from multiple angles, the accident scene, road conditions, and anything else relevant to the crash. For example, paint transfers or broken plastic pieces might help identify the other driver’s vehicle.
- Look for witnesses. Anyone who saw the collision or the fleeing vehicle could be the difference between a successful claim and a dead end. Get names, phone numbers, and brief statements while memories are fresh.
- Write down what you remember. Vehicle color, make, model, license plate—even a partial number helps—direction of travel, and time of day all matter. Details fade quickly, so record everything before your memory starts filling in gaps.
After You Leave: What Steps Strengthen Your Hit-and-Run Claim?
You might feel exhausted, angry, or overwhelmed—but the actions you take over the next few days can transform a frustrating situation into a winnable case. Greenville car accident lawyer Ryan Alderson recommends taking the following steps within 72 hours.
Start a Detailed Medical File
Seeing a doctor within 24 to 48 hours creates a medical record that links your injuries directly to the hit and run. Insurance companies scrutinize gaps in treatment—they'll argue that if you were really hurt, you would have sought care immediately. Don't give them that opening.
Notify Your Insurance Company
By law, all South Carolina drivers are required to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which exists specifically for situations like this. When the at-fault driver can't be identified or doesn't have insurance, your UM coverage helps pay for medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs. But there's a catch: you must report the accident to your insurer promptly and meet specific requirements, or it may deny your claim.
Be careful what you say when talking to an insurance adjuster. Stick to the facts—what happened, when, and where. Don't speculate about fault or downplay your injuries. Insurance adjusters are trained to find reasons to reduce payouts, and even casual comments like "I feel okay" can come back to haunt you later.
Understand How Uninsured Motorist Claims Work
Your policy likely includes a cooperation clause requiring you to assist the insurance company's investigation. That might mean providing recorded statements, submitting to medical examinations, or turning over documents. Failing to cooperate—even unintentionally—can void your coverage. Alderson Law helps our clients meet these requirements without inadvertently jeopardizing their claims.
How Can Our Savvy Legal Guidance Help You Seek Justice?
Hit-and-run cases are rarely straightforward. Insurance companies don't hand over money just because you were struck by a phantom driver. Even though you’re not at fault, adjusters might still question whether the accident really happened, if your injuries are as serious as you claim, and whether you followed all the rules buried in your policy's fine print.
As a former prosecutor, Ryan Alderson knows how insurance adjusters think. He anticipates their objections, gathers evidence they can't dismiss, and builds cases that leave no room for denial. From tracking down surveillance footage to consulting with accident reconstruction specialists, his team at Alderson Law does the investigative work that turns a weak claim into a compelling one.
When another motorist collides with you and then takes off, it’s more than an accident—it’s a violation of your rights. You followed the rules. You were where you were supposed to be. Someone else chose to break the law and leave you to deal with the consequences. That's not fair, but it doesn't have to define your future.
Alderson Law turns the uncertainty of a hit and run into a clear path toward recovery, helping you with various resources that not only provide essential compensation but also potentially lead to the capture of the negligent party. You weren't at fault. You shouldn't pay the price.