What is Hit and Run?
Updated January 24, 2026
An accident where a driver leaves the scene without stopping to provide information or render aid, a criminal offense in all states.
Understanding Hit and Run
Victims of hit-and-run accidents may recover through their own uninsured motorist coverage. Police investigation may identify the at-fault driver. Criminal penalties for hit-and-run range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on injury severity.
Examples
- 1Driver fleeing after hitting pedestrian
- 2Vehicle leaving scene of parking lot collision
- 3Unidentified driver causing serious injuries
Related Terms
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Insurance coverage that protects you if you're injured by a driver who has no liability insurance or insufficient coverage to pay for your damages.
Yield Right of Way
A traffic law requiring drivers to allow other vehicles or pedestrians to proceed first in certain situations. Failure to yield is a common cause of intersection collisions and pedestrian accidents.
Rear-End Collision
An accident where one vehicle strikes the back of another vehicle, typically establishing fault against the following driver.
T-Bone Accident
A collision where the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a T shape, often occurring at intersections.
Head-On Collision
A crash where the fronts of two vehicles collide while traveling in opposite directions, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or death.
For Motor Vehicle Collision cases
The record behind a term like this one is built by the client, not the file.
Quilia asks clients about treatment, appointments and how they are doing, records the answers on the case, and syncs it to Clio, Filevine, MyCase, Neos and more.
Keep Clients Informed Without the Phone Calls
Quilia's client portal keeps your clients engaged with automated updates, reminders, and document collection, so your team can focus on winning cases.