Hit-and-Run Accidents: Steps to Take and Coverage That May Help

Rear-end fender benders get all the jokes. Hit-and-runs don’t. When someone hits you and takes off, you’re left dealing with the worst parts of a crash—injuries, repairs, missed work, and a ton of uncertainty—while the person who caused it disappears.

 

If you’ve been in a hit-and-run in Louisville (or anywhere in Kentucky), you can still take smart steps that protect your health, strengthen the paper trail, and unlock insurance coverage that may help.

 

First things first: treat it like an emergency scene, not a paperwork problem

 

In Kentucky, drivers involved in a crash have legal duties to stop, check injuries, and render reasonable assistance (including seeking medical help). That duty is spelled out in KRS 189.580. Legislative Research Commission When the other driver flees, that doesn’t change what you should do.

 

Get yourself to a safe spot if you can, then call 911. A police report matters in every crash, but it matters even more in a hit-and-run because it’s often the first official record confirming what happened. The Sampson Law Firm’s hit-and-run page also lists the basics the right way: request medical assistance, call 911, give police a detailed description, locate witnesses, take photos, and report it to your insurer as soon as possible. The Sampson Law Firm

 

What to do in the minutes after a hit-and-run

 

Most people remember “get the license plate.” That’s great—if you can. But don’t panic if you can’t. Your goal is to capture anything that helps identify the vehicle or corroborate the crash:

• Plate number (even partial), make/model, color, direction of travel

• Driver description(if you saw them)

• Damage location on their vehicle (rear bumper, right headlight, etc.)

• Time and exact location

• Witness names and phone numbers

• Photos/video of your damage, skid marks, debris, and the overall scene

• Nearby cameras: businesses, gas stations, traffic cameras, doorbell cams—note addresses so footage can be requested quickly

That “camera list” is not busywork. The Sampson Law Firm notes that attorneys may be able to find identifying information by interviewing witnesses and reviewing surrounding security footage. The Sampson Law Firm

 

Get checked out—even if you “feel fine”

 

Hit-and-runs often come with adrenaline and delayed symptoms. It’s common to feel okay at the scene and worse the next day. Medical documentation also connects your injuries to the crash, which can become important when you’re forced to rely on your own insurance coverage.

 

Coverage that may help after a hit-and-run in Kentucky

 

A hit-and-run is often treated like an “uninsured driver” situation for insurance purposes—because the at-fault vehicle/driver is unknown. What applies depends on your policy, but here are the big buckets that commonly matter:

 

1) PIP / Basic Reparation Benefits (BRB) – the “no-fault” starting point Kentucky’s no-fault system includes basic reparation benefits(often called PIP/BRB). The statute defines BRB and sets the maximum at $10,000 per person per accident for economic loss. Legislative Research Commission The Kentucky Department of Insurance explains that Kentucky’s Motor Vehicle Reparations Act has two components: PIP coverage and limitations on tort rights. Kentucky Department of Insurance

In plain English: even if the other driver is unknown, PIP may help with certain out-of-pocket losses (medical bills, some wage loss) up to the statutory cap—depending on your situation and whether you rejected no-fault coverage.

 

2) Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage
Kentucky requires insurers to include UM coverage unless the named insured rejects it in writing. Legislative Research Commission This is one of the most important coverages in a hit-and-run because it can apply when the at-fault driver can’t be identified.

 

One common “gotcha”: policy requirements (like physical contact).
Some UM policies include a “physical contact” requirement for hit-and-run claims, and Kentucky courts have addressed how that requirement can be satisfied—including situations where an unknown driver hits a third vehicle that then hits you (indirect contact). FindLaw Case Law Because wording varies, you want your policy reviewed before you assume you’re stuck.

 

3) Collision coverage (vehicle repairs) and rental reimbursement

If you carry collision coverage, it may pay to repair your vehicle regardless of fault (subject to your deductible). Rental reimbursement, if you purchased it, can help while your car is in the shop.

 

4) Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage (if the driver is found but doesn’t have enough insurance)
If law enforcement or an investigation identifies the driver later, and their coverage is too small for your losses, UIM may come into play depending on your policy and the facts. Kentucky has a statute specifically addressing underinsured motorist coverage and how it interacts with settlements. Legislative Research Commission

 

“Will my own insurance company really fight me?”

 

Sometimes, yes. That’s why documentation matters so much in hit-and-run claims. The Sampson Law Firm notes that, depending on the case, you may be able to set up an uninsured motorist claim and pursue the compensation you deserve. The Sampson Law Firm If a claim is denied or undervalued, it helps to have a clean file: medical records, photos, witness contacts, and a prompt police report.

 

Don’t wait too long: deadlines can sneak up fast

 

Kentucky’s motor-vehicle rules include a limitations framework that’s often two years from the injury (and can be tied to the date of the last PIP/BRB payment). Legislative Research Commission The sooner you act, the easier it is to preserve evidence—especially video footage that can disappear in days.

 

Talk to a Louisville hit-and-run lawyer if you’re getting pushback

 

If you’re searching for a Louisville car accident attorney, Louisville car accident lawyer, Car wreck attorney Louisville KY, Louisville auto accident attorneys, Auto accident lawyers in Louisville, or a Louisville personal injury attorney / Louisville personal injury lawyer at a personal injury law firm Louisville, it usually means you want two things: answers and momentum.

 

The Sampson Law Firm has a dedicated page for Hit & Run Accidents and encourages victims to call (502) 584-5050 to schedule a consultation. The Sampson Law Firm If someone else caused your crash, you are entitled to compensation in many cases—and the right strategy can help you access the coverage that’s supposed to be there when the at-fault driver disappears.

 

This article is for general information only and isn’t legal advice. If you or anyone else is seriously injured, call 911 or seek emergency care immediately.