Being the victim of a hit and run accident is one of the most frustrating and frightening experiences a person can face. One moment your life is normal—the next, you’re injured, shaken, and the driver who caused it has vanished. Many people assume that without the at-fault driver’s identity, they have no legal case.
That assumption is wrong.
If you were injured in a hit and run accident in Massachusetts, you may still have multiple legal and insurance options to pursue full compensation—even if the driver is never found.
What Is a Hit and Run Accident?
A hit and run occurs when a driver causes a crash and leaves the scene without providing identification or assistance. These cases often involve:
Rear-end collisions
Pedestrian accidents
Motorcycle crashes
Parking lot impacts
Bicycle accidents
Leaving the scene is a crime in Massachusetts—but from the victim’s perspective, the more pressing question is:
Who pays for my medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering?
You Can Still Recover Compensation—Even If the Driver Is Never Found
Massachusetts law requires all auto insurance policies to include Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage. A hit and run driver is legally treated as an uninsured driver.
That means your own insurance company may be required to step into the shoes of the missing driver and pay your damages.
This includes potential payment for:
Medical bills
Lost income
Pain and suffering
Permanent disability
Future medical care
✅ Important: Using your Uninsured Motorist coverage for a hit and run claim does not increase your auto insurance premium. UM coverage exists for this exact situation—to protect you when the responsible driver cannot be identified.
Many people are shocked to learn that the biggest legal battle in a hit and run case is often not against the unknown driver—but against their own insurance company.
What If You Don’t Own a Car? You May Still Be Covered
This is one of the most misunderstood areas of Massachusetts auto law—and one of the most powerful protections for injured victims.
If you do not own a vehicle, you may still be able to recover compensation under the Uninsured Motorist policy of a blood relative you live with, such as:
A parent
A child
A sibling
As long as:
You are injured as a pedestrian, bicyclist, or passenger
And you reside in the same household
You may legally access that household relative’s UM coverage—even though the vehicle involved in the crash was not theirs.
This often means substantial six-figure or higher insurance coverage is available when victims assume they have none.
You May Also Have Coverage Under PIP (Personal Injury Protection)
Massachusetts is a no-fault state, which means your own Policy’s PIP benefits apply regardless of who caused the crash. PIP typically covers:
Up to $8,000 in medical expenses
A portion of lost wages
In-home care services
This provides immediate financial relief while your uninsured motorist claim is being prepared.
What If the Police Never Find the Driver?
This happens more often than people realize—and it does not end your case.
As long as the accident was reported promptly and properly documented, you can still pursue:
Your UM claim
Any applicable excess or umbrella coverage
Third-party liability if another negligent party contributed (poor road conditions, defective auto parts, negligent security in some locations)
What If the Driver Is Identified Later?
If law enforcement later identifies the driver, your case can shift from a UM claim into a direct bodily injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier—often allowing for significantly higher recovery limits.
Why Hit and Run Cases Are Often More Complex Than Standard Accidents
Hit and run cases require aggressive investigation, including:
Surveillance footage from nearby businesses
Traffic camera review
Witness canvassing
Accident reconstruction
Police report analysis
Insurance policy layering
Insurance companies frequently try to delay, minimize, or deny these claims, arguing:
The accident wasn’t actually a hit and run
There’s inadequate proof another vehicle was involved
The injuries are not related
The victim had prior medical conditions
This is precisely why early legal representation is critical.
What You Should Do Immediately After a Hit and Run
If you are involved in a hit and run accident:
Call 911 immediately
Do not chase the fleeing driver
Take photos of the scene and damage
Get witness names and contact information
Seek medical treatment right away
Notify your insurance carrier
Contact a Massachusetts personal injury attorney promptly
Delayed action often leads to denied coverage and lost evidence.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Massachusetts?
In most cases, the statute of limitations for personal injury in Massachusetts is three years, but insurance notice requirements are often much shorter. Some UM policies require near-immediate notice.
Waiting too long can permanently damage your claim.
You Were the Victim—You Still Have Legal Rights
A hit and run accident does not mean you are out of options. In many cases, victims recover substantial compensation through their own insurance coverage—often more than they ever expected—without their premiums increasing.
At Law Offices of Scott M. Syat, P.C., we regularly help hit-and-run victims navigate these complex insurance claims, uncover hidden household coverage, protect their rights, and maximize their recovery.
Free Consultation for Hit and Run Victims
If you or a loved one were injured in a hit and run accident anywhere in Massachusetts, you deserve answers—and protection.
✅ No fee unless we win
✅ No premium increase for UM use
✅ Household UM may apply even if you don’t own a car
📞 Call us today at (617)773-3500 for a confidential case evaluation.