What to do after a hit-and-run in Massachusetts
Hit-and-runs are stressful and confusing. Here's exactly what to do if it happens to you.
What counts as a hit-and-run?
A hit-and-run occurs when a driver involved in an accident leaves the scene without stopping to exchange information or render aid.
Under Massachusetts law, all drivers involved in an accident are required to stop regardless of fault.
It does not matter whether the accident caused minor damage or serious injury.
If the other driver fled, you are the victim of a hit and run.
If you were involved in an accident and left the scene without fulfilling your legal obligations, you may be facing a hit-and-run charge regardless of who caused the crash.
Stay at the scene.
Do not chase the other driver.
Leaving the scene of an accident, even a hit and run, can create legal problems for you.
Pull over safely, turn on your hazard lights, and stay put.
Check for injuries.
Check yourself and any passengers for injuries.
If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately.
Do not try to move anyone who may have a serious injury.
Gather what you can.
Write down everything you remember about the other vehicle:
- Make, model, and color
- Any part of the license plate number
- Direction the vehicle was heading
- Description of the driver if you saw them
Act fast. Details fade quickly after an accident.
Document the scene.
- Photos of your vehicle and all damage
- Weather and road conditions
- Road signage and traffic controls
- Time and location of the accident
- Names and contact info of any witnesses
Witness information is especially valuable in a hit and run since there is no other driver to interview.
Call the police.
Report the hit and run to law enforcement immediately.
In Massachusetts, you are required to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000.
A police report significantly strengthens your uninsured motorist claim, so don't skip this step even for minor damage.
Notify your carrier.
Hit and run accidents are handled as uninsured motorist claims in Massachusetts.
Contact your carrier as soon as possible and let them know what happened.
Delaying a claim can complicate the process.
File a crash report.
Massachusetts law requires you to file a Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report within 5 days if the accident involves injury, death, or property damage over $1,000.
This applies to hit and run accidents too.
Three copies must be submitted. One to the RMV, one to the local police department where the crash occurred, and one to your insurance carrier.
Contact Nobile.
Already a Nobile client? Call or email us and we'll walk you through the next steps.
Not insured with us yet? Now may be a good time to talk.
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Hit-and-Run FAQs
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Hit and run accidents are handled as uninsured motorist claims since the at-fault driver cannot be identified.
Massachusetts requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage with minimums of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
If your vehicle was damaged, Collision coverage would also apply, subject to your deductible. If you don't have Collision coverage, your options for recovering vehicle repair costs are more limited.
Reach out and we'll walk you through what your specific policy covers.
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Yes. You can still file an uninsured motorist claim even if you were unable to identify the other driver.
Your carrier will review the available evidence including the police report, photos, witness statements, and the nature of the damage to evaluate the claim.
The stronger your documentation, the smoother the process tends to go. This is one of the reasons why gathering as much information as possible at the scene matters even when the other driver is gone.
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This is still considered a hit-and-run in Massachusetts.
Take photos of the damage immediately, check for any notes left by the other driver, ask nearby businesses or residents if they have security camera footage, and file a police report as soon as possible.
From there, notify your carrier. Depending on your coverage, a Collision or Uninsured Motorist claim may apply.
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It is the official form Massachusetts requires you to file after any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000.
You’ll need to submit three copies within 5 days of the accident:
One copy to the RMV
One copy to the local police department where the crash occurred.
One copy to your insurance carrier.
You can download the form directly from the Massachusetts RMV website.
(URL opens in new tab.)
This requirement applies even if police responded to the scene and filed their own report.
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No, not every accident, but most. Under Massachusetts law, you are required to report any accident that involves injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. That threshold is lower than most people think. When in doubt, report it.
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Property damage alone is enough to require reporting if it exceeds $1,000. You still need to notify your carrier, and file a Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report within 5 days if the damage threshold is met.
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Hit and run accidents are treated as uninsured motorist claims in Massachusetts, meaning the incident was not your fault.
Filing a claim for something that was not your fault typically does not affect your SDIP score or your premium the same way an at-fault claim would.
That said, the impact varies by carrier, so ask us about Accident Forgiveness coverage if you want extra protection at renewal.
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Even minor damage from a hit and run is worth reporting to the police and your carrier.
Repair costs add up fast, and a police report creates an official record that protects you if the damage turns out to be worse than it looked or if injuries develop after the fact. It also strengthens your uninsured motorist claim.
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It depends on how much information is available.
The more details you can provide, like the plate number, vehicle description, direction of travel, witness accounts, or nearby surveillance cameras, the better the chances of identifying the other driver.
Law enforcement in Massachusetts has dedicated resources for hit and run investigations, but realistically, many cases go unresolved. That's exactly why uninsured motorist coverage exists.