A hit-and-run accident is one of the most unsettling experiences an injured person can face. You are left hurt and confused while the at-fault driver disappears. Many people assume they have no legal recourse—or that pursuing a claim will raise their insurance premiums.
Both assumptions are wrong.
Massachusetts law provides strong protections for victims of hit-and-run accidents, and these cases are resolved through insurance and arbitration, not court, in the ordinary course.
What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident?
A hit-and-run occurs when a driver causes a collision and leaves the scene without stopping to identify themselves or render aid. These incidents may involve:
Motor vehicles
Pedestrians
Cyclists
Parked vehicles
Even if the responsible driver is never identified, Massachusetts insurance law allows injured victims to pursue compensation.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident
If you are able, take the following steps:
1. Call 911 Immediately
Seek medical assistance and request a police response. A police report is a critical component of any hit-and-run claim.
2. Obtain Prompt Medical Treatment
Injuries such as concussions, soft-tissue injuries, and internal trauma are often delayed. Early treatment also creates essential documentation.
3. Preserve Evidence
If possible:
Write down what happened
Note the time, location, and direction of travel
Record any vehicle description or partial plate number
Obtain witness contact information
Photograph the scene and your injuries
4. Notify Your Insurance Company
The accident should be reported promptly, but you do not have to navigate the claim or provide detailed statements without guidance.
5. Consult With Attorney Scott Syat Directly
Hit-and-run claims are insurance-driven and technical. Speaking directly with Attorney Scott Syat early in the process helps protect your rights, avoid costly mistakes, and position your claim properly from the start.
Compensation Is Available Even If the Driver Is Never Found
Massachusetts insurance policies provide multiple avenues for recovery.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
PIP pays medical expenses and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault.
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
Under Massachusetts law, a hit-and-run driver is treated as an uninsured driver. Uninsured motorist coverage may compensate you for:
Pain and suffering
Medical bills not covered by PIP
Lost wages
Permanent or serious injuries
An Uninsured Motorist Hit-and-Run Claim Does Not Increase Your Premiums
This is an important and often misunderstood point:
Filing an uninsured motorist claim for a hit-and-run accident does not raise your insurance premiums.
Because:
You are not at fault
The other driver is legally considered uninsured
UM claims are not surchargeable under Massachusetts regulations
This coverage exists specifically to protect innocent drivers and passengers when the responsible party cannot be identified.
Why Hit-and-Run Accidents Highlight the Importance of Collision Coverage
Hit-and-run accidents also demonstrate why drivers should carry collision coverage on their own vehicles.
When the at-fault driver flees:
There is no third-party insurer to pay for vehicle damage
Property damage claims must be made under your own policy
Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle regardless of fault, including when:
The other driver leaves the scene
The at-fault driver is uninsured
The driver is never identified
Without collision coverage, even a completely innocent driver may be left paying out-of-pocket for substantial vehicle repairs.
Most Uninsured Motorist Hit-and-Run Cases Settle — Arbitration Is the Backstop
Most uninsured motorist hit-and-run injury claims are resolved through settlement, without the need for a formal hearing. Once medical treatment is complete and injuries are properly documented, insurers often agree to a fair resolution.
However, if the insurance company does not offer a reasonable settlement amount, Massachusetts law allows the injured person to take the claim to arbitration.
How Arbitration Works
Both sides present medical records, wage documentation, and legal arguments
A neutral arbitrator evaluates the evidence
The arbitrator’s decision determines the value of the claim
No Court Involvement in Ordinary Cases
Uninsured motorist hit-and-run claims are resolved by arbitration, not by lawsuits or jury trials. Court involvement occurs only in rare circumstances, such as when an insurer acts in bad faith or violates its contractual obligations.
Why Legal Representation Still Matters
Even though these cases proceed through settlement or arbitration rather than court, insurance companies still closely scrutinize:
Injury causation
Treatment necessity
Permanency
Wage loss claims
Pre-existing conditions
Having an experienced attorney prepare and present the claim ensures it is evaluated fairly and supported by proper evidence.
We Represent Hit-and-Run Victims Across Massachusetts
At Law Offices of Scott M. Syat, P.C., we regularly represent clients injured in hit-and-run accidents throughout Massachusetts.
📞 Call (617) 773-3500 to speak directly with Attorney Scott Syat.
We:
Handle all insurance communications
Explain coverage clearly and honestly
Pursue fair settlements or present cases in arbitration
Charge no legal fee unless compensation is recovered
Injured in a Hit-and-Run? Speak With Us First.
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, you may have substantial rights under your own insurance policy — without any premium increase and without going to court.
📞 Contact the Law Offices of Scott M. Syat, P.C. at (617) 773-3500 for a free consultation.
You’ll speak directly with Attorney Scott Syat about your options and next steps.