{"id":13,"date":"2025-09-15T00:25:34","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T00:25:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/?p=13"},"modified":"2025-09-18T17:05:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T17:05:07","slug":"what-to-do-if-youre-hit-by-a-driver-who-flees-the-scene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/?p=13","title":{"rendered":"What to Do If You\u2019re Hit by a Driver Who Flees the Scene"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Few things are more terrifying for a cyclist than getting hit by a car \u2014 except maybe when the driver speeds off and leaves you behind. Unfortunately, hit-and-runs happen more often than we\u2019d like to admit. Beyond the shock and the injuries, you\u2019re left wondering: What now? Who\u2019s going to pay for this?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some important steps you should take if you\u2019re ever the victim of a hit-and-run while riding your bike:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Call 911 Immediately<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re injured, your health is the top priority. Call emergency services right away, or have someone nearby do it for you. Even if the injuries seem minor, it\u2019s important to get checked out by medical professionals and have the crash officially documented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Get a Police Report<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A hit-and-run is a crime. Make sure a police report is filed \u2014 this creates an official record of the incident, which will be vital for any insurance claim or potential case. Provide as much detail as you can: the driver\u2019s direction, the vehicle\u2019s color, model, or even partial license plate. Witnesses may also be able to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Gather Evidence if Possible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re able, take photos of the scene, your bike, and your injuries. Check the area for nearby cameras \u2014 traffic lights, businesses, or doorbell cams. The police may be able to pull this footage to help track down the driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Explore Insurance Options<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If the driver is not found, one option many cyclists overlook is their own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage<\/strong>. If you have auto insurance, UM coverage may apply even if you were riding your bike at the time of the crash. This type of insurance is designed to cover you when the at-fault driver has no insurance \u2014 or disappears completely, as in a hit-and-run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filing a UM claim can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. The process, however, can be complicated, and insurance companies may push back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Talk to a Lawyer About Your Options<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every case is different, and knowing how to navigate insurance after a hit-and-run can be overwhelming. A lawyer experienced in cycling accidents can help you understand your rights, file claims properly, and fight for the compensation you deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Final Word<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being hit and left behind is devastating, but you still have options. Whether the driver is found or not, you don\u2019t have to face the aftermath alone. At the Parks Law Firm Cycling Team, we\u2019re cyclists ourselves, and we\u2019re here to connect riders with lawyers who know how to handle these cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Important Note<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique, and laws may vary depending on your state. If you\u2019ve been in a hit-and-run cycling accident, consult with a qualified attorney to understand the options available in your specific situation.\ud83d\udc49 Were you hit while riding? Contact us today \u2014 we\u2019ll help you fight back.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Few things are more terrifying for a cyclist than getting hit by a car \u2014 except maybe when the driver speeds off and leaves you behind. Unfortunately, hit-and-runs happen more often than we\u2019d like to admit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":374,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-post","entry","has-media"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Untitled-design-4.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":436,"href":"https:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13\/revisions\/436"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecyclingattorney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}