Michigan Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers
When a driver hits you and flees, you are left injured and wondering who will pay. We help you find the answers and the compensation you deserve. 1-800-TRUCK-CRASH takes on the at-fault driver and their insurer — so you can focus on healing.
Detroit & Michigan Hit-and-Run Accident Attorneys
At 1-800-TRUCK-CRASH, Michigan trial attorney Solomon Radner and our team represent people who have been seriously injured in hit-and-run accidents across Metro Detroit and throughout Michigan. A hit-and-run happens when a driver causes a crash and flees the scene without stopping or sharing their information — frequently because they are uninsured, drunk, or driving a stolen vehicle — and leaving you to deal with the aftermath alone.
Fleeing the scene of an injury crash is a serious crime in Michigan, but that does not bring the driver back — so the real challenge becomes identifying them or turning to your own insurance for help. Our Michigan car accident practice was built around one thing: holding at-fault drivers and their insurers accountable when careless driving puts Michigan families in danger. Below, we explain what to do after a hit-and-run, how fleeing drivers are identified, how a Michigan claim works, and how our firm fights to recover everything you are owed.
In a hit-and-run, you often have to rely on your own uninsured motorist coverage — and your insurer may still try to underpay you. The sooner you act, the better your chances of finding the driver and protecting your claim. We carry that burden for you from day one — and we never charge a fee unless we win.
Related car accident cases: rear-end Accidents · Head-On Collisions · T-Bone & Intersection Accidents
What Is a Hit-and-Run & What Should You Do After One?
A hit-and-run is any crash where a driver leaves without stopping to give their name, license, and insurance information or to help the injured. It can involve a car striking another car, a pedestrian, or a cyclist. Michigan law requires every driver to stop, yet thousands flee each year, often because they have something to hide.
Why do drivers flee the scene?
A driver who runs usually has a reason they do not want to be found:
- No insurance and fear of having to pay out of pocket.
- Driving drunk or high and trying to avoid arrest.
- No valid license or outstanding warrants.
- Driving a stolen vehicle or fleeing another crime.
- Panic after causing a serious crash.
- Fear of consequences that makes a bad decision worse.
Pinpointing the true cause is critical, because it determines who is legally responsible — and the at-fault driver’s insurer rarely volunteers that information.
What to do after a hit-and-run in Michigan
The moments after a hit-and-run matter. If you can, note the fleeing vehicle’s color, make, model, and any part of the plate, and the direction it went. Call 911 right away, look for witnesses and nearby cameras, and get medical care. A prompt police report is not just smart — it is usually required to make an uninsured motorist claim later.
Common injuries in hit-and-run crashes
Hit-and-run victims suffer the full range of crash injuries: whiplash and neck strain, herniated discs, concussions and traumatic brain injuries, back and spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and severe injuries when pedestrians or cyclists are struck. The difference is that you are left with the bills and no at-fault driver in sight — which is exactly the problem we solve.
In the days after a serious crash, everything hits at once. You may be facing doctor visits, time away from work, and a phone that will not stop ringing — adjusters, billing departments, maybe even the other driver’s insurer. Meanwhile the bills keep coming and it can feel like no one is on your side.
It is normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure who to trust. The other driver’s insurer has one goal: to pay you as little as possible, as quickly as possible, before you understand what your claim is really worth. You deserve someone in your corner who understands both the medicine and Michigan injury law — and who is not intimidated by a corporate legal team. That is the role we step into the moment you call.
How a Michigan Hit-and-Run Claim Works
Every case is different, but most Michigan hit-and-run claims move through the same stages:
- Get medical care and protect your health. Your treatment records also become key evidence, so follow your doctors’ instructions and keep every appointment.
- We launch an immediate investigation. Critical evidence disappears fast — we move quickly to preserve traffic-camera and surveillance footage, the police report, any debris or paint from the fleeing vehicle, and witness accounts that can help identify the driver.
- We identify everyone who is liable. If the fleeing driver is identified, we pursue them and their insurer. If they are never found, we turn to the uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy, and Michigan No-Fault still covers your medical care either way.
- We handle Michigan No-Fault and your medical bills. Michigan’s No-Fault system is complicated. We make sure your own coverage pays what it should while we pursue the at-fault parties. Learn more about Michigan No-Fault here.
- We build and present your claim. We document your injuries, lost income, and future needs, then negotiate aggressively with the insurers from a position of strength.
- We take it to trial if they will not be fair. Insurers settle fairly when they know your lawyer is ready to go to court. We prepare every case as if it will.
Michigan gives accident victims a limited window to file a lawsuit, and No-Fault benefits have their own strict deadlines — so the sooner you involve a lawyer, the more we can do to protect your claim.
Who pays if the driver is never found?
One of the most valuable things a car accident lawyer does is uncover every responsible party — because more liable parties can mean more insurance coverage available to pay for your injuries. If we can identify the driver who fled, they and their insurer are responsible for your damages, and they may face criminal charges as well. If the driver is never found, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can step in to pay for your injuries, and Michigan No-Fault PIP covers your medical bills and wage loss regardless of who hit you. Knowing which coverage applies, and using all of it, is where a lawyer makes the biggest difference.
Compensation you may be able to recover
While no two cases are alike, people injured in hit-and-run accidents in Michigan can often pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses — emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and future treatment.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity — income lost now and your ability to earn going forward.
- Pain and suffering — the physical pain and emotional toll of a serious injury.
- Long-term and life-care costs — in-home care, assistive devices, and home modifications after catastrophic injuries.
- Wrongful death damages — when a family has lost a loved one.
The value of a hit-and-run claim depends on how serious your injuries are, how they affect your daily life and ability to work, and how much coverage, including uninsured motorist coverage, is available.
Michigan car accident laws that affect your claim
A few features of Michigan law shape almost every hit-and-run case. Michigan is a No-Fault state, so your own auto policy pays personal injury protection (PIP) benefits for medical care and lost wages no matter who caused the crash, while a separate claim against the at-fault driver can recover pain and suffering once your injury meets Michigan’s “serious impairment” threshold. Michigan also follows a modified comparative fault rule — being partly at fault can reduce your recovery, and being found more than 50% at fault can bar you from certain damages. The statute of limitations for most auto injury lawsuits is generally three years from the date of the crash, but No-Fault benefits carry their own much shorter deadlines, and important exceptions can apply. Because one missed deadline can end an otherwise strong case, the safest step is to talk with us as soon as possible.
Hit-and-Run Accident FAQs
Why do drivers flee the scene of an accident?
Drivers usually flee because they are uninsured, driving drunk or high, have no valid license or an outstanding warrant, or are in a stolen vehicle. Fleeing the scene of an injury crash is a crime in Michigan, but it happens thousands of times each year.
What should I do right after a hit-and-run?
If you can, get to safety and call 911 so police create an official report. Write down everything you remember about the other vehicle – color, make, model, and any part of the plate – and the direction it fled. Photograph the scene and your injuries, get the names of any witnesses, look for nearby cameras, and seek medical attention right away. Report the crash promptly, because it is usually required for an uninsured motorist claim.
What if the hit-and-run driver is never found?
Even if the driver is never identified, you are not out of options. The uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy can pay for your injuries, and Michigan No-Fault PIP covers your medical bills and wage loss no matter who hit you. Acting quickly — and reporting the crash to police — protects your right to these benefits.
Will my insurance go up if I use uninsured motorist coverage?
Using your uninsured motorist coverage after a hit-and-run is exactly what you paid for, and you were not at fault. While insurers handle rate decisions differently, you should never avoid a valid claim out of fear – a lawyer can deal with your insurer and make sure you are treated fairly.
How much is my hit-and-run case worth?
There is no one-size-fits-all number. Your case value depends on the severity of your injuries, your past and future medical bills, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and the available insurance coverage. Because hit-and-run claims often depend on your own uninsured motorist coverage, having a lawyer identify every source of recovery and document the full impact can make a major difference in what you receive.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Possibly. Michigan follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means your compensation can be reduced by your share of fault, and being found more than 50% at fault can bar certain damages. Even if you think you were partly to blame, it is worth having a lawyer review the facts; fault is often not what the insurer first claims.
How long do I have to file a claim in Michigan?
Michigan sets strict deadlines for both personal injury lawsuits and No-Fault benefits, and missing them can bar your claim entirely. Because the exact deadline depends on your situation, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. The safest move is to call us right away so no deadline slips by.
Do I really need a lawyer for a hit-and-run?
Insurance companies have adjusters and defense lawyers working to minimize what they pay from the moment a crash happens. Going up against them alone — while you are trying to heal — puts you at a serious disadvantage. An experienced car accident lawyer levels the playing field and protects the evidence your case depends on.
What does it cost to hire 1-800-TRUCK-CRASH?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee, which means there is no cost to you unless and until we win your case. Your consultation is always free.
Talk to a Michigan Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer — Free
If you or someone you love was hurt by a hit-and-run driver, do not wait — evidence disappears and deadlines pass. Find out what your case is worth in a free, no-obligation consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.