Tacoma Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers

In Washington, a hit and run occurs when the other driver leaves the scene of an accident without stopping, sharing identification, or offering aid as required by law. Without a name or policy number, you cannot open a liability insurance claim or or route medical bills to the at-fault driver’s insurer. Additionally,  nearby video and 911 audio can disappear within days and further hinder your case.

Our Tacoma hit-and-run lawyers help you move forward when no at-fault driver is identified. The team can secure video and 911 records, reach witnesses, open a Uninsured Motorist (UM) claim, coordinate Personal Injury Protection (PIP), and manage medical billing so treatment continues while liability remains unknown.

If you were hurt in a Tacoma hit-and-run accident, call the Tacoma car accident lawyers at Freeman Law Firm, Inc. at (253) 383-4500 for a free consultation with our attorneys who will work diligently through all the details of your case and pursue maximum compensation for you.

Is a Hit and Run Illegal in Washington?

Washington law requires a driver to stop after a crash. They should also share identifying information and give reasonable aid when someone is hurt. RCW 46.52.020 treats failure to comply as a crime. Penalties increase when injuries or a death occur, and any charge runs separately from a civil case for losses.

What Is Required by Law After a Hit and Run

• Stop at or near the scene and remain long enough to exchange name, address, and vehicle information.
• Give reasonable aid when injuries are apparent. Call 911.
• Leave contact details for unattended property damage and report when required.

How Leaving The Scene Affects Your Case

• A hit-and-run label on the report supports the narrative that no at-fault driver can be contacted.
• Police records, 911 audio, and any citations tied to leaving the scene help establish liability facts for insurance.
• Criminal exposure for the fleeing driver does not pay your bills by itself; compensation typically comes through insurance and a civil case.

Damages Available In Washington

• Washington generally does not award punitive damages in car crash cases. Recovery focuses on medical expenses, wage loss, and other provable harms.

Our car accident lawyers use the collision report and any citation issued to the other driver, if identified, to build liability and move coverage forward.

How Cases Move Forward

When no driver is identified, recovery starts with your own policy benefits and advances as new facts surface.

• Uninsured Motorist Path: Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver is unknown. Insurers review proof of a hit and run, medical records that link injuries to the crash, and repair documentation.
• Vehicle Repairs And Use: Collision coverage handles repairs or total loss. Rental coverage or loss-of-use may apply; details can be found in the property damage section.
• Evidence Bridges The Gap: Police reports, nearby video, 911 audio, and witness statements support liability and coverage decisions.

Our Tacoma hit-and-run lawyers build the evidence record and keep the case moving while the driver remains unknown.

Preserving Evidence After a Hit and Run

Below are the steps that create official records, preserve nearby video, and open coverage so care and repairs move forward when the driver is unknown.

1. Report Or Confirmation: Our team files a report with Tacoma Police Department or Washington State Patrol, or confirms one exists. The report creates records used by insurers and also anchors date and location.
2. Immediate Medical Care: Providers note a hit and run and records created early on can connect injuries to the crash and reduce arguments about other causes.
3. Photos And Video On Hand: Photos of vehicle damage, debris, lane markings, and injuries are gathered and preserved since visuals can link the crash to losses.
4. Nearby Cameras Identified: Businesses, homes, or intersections with cameras near the scene are listed. Our team sends preservation requests to keep the evidence intact.
5. Witness Information Collected: Names, phone numbers, and brief summaries of what people saw are recorded. Witness statements corroborate the account of how the crash occurred.
6. Collision Report Number Obtained: The agency website or records unit provides the number on the report. The number lets our team pull the report, 911 audio, and dispatch logs.
7. Insurer Notified: An Underinsured Motorist (UIM) claim opens and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) starts if included in the policy. A recorded statement waits until counsel reviews the file to avoid limiting recovery.
8. Bills And Receipts Saved: Medical bills, pharmacy receipts, tow and storage invoices, rental records, pay stubs showing lost time, and repair estimates can prove losses for settlement.

Our Tacoma hit and run lawyers work to preserve evidence and track deadlines so you can focus on medical treatment.

Insurance Paths That Pay When The Driver Flees

When the at-fault driver is unknown, coverage begins with your own policy benefits and moves as facts develop.

• Uninsured And Underinsured Motorist Claims (UM/UIM): UM applies when the at-fault driver is unidentified. UIM applies when the at-fault driver is identified but lacks enough coverage. Insurers review evidence that a hit and run occurred, timely notice, medical records that link injuries to the crash, and repair documentation. Policies may require a sworn statement or cooperation with the investigation.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP pays medical bills regardless of fault up to the policy limit. Some policies include wage replacement. Direct billing to PIP helps prevent treatment gaps that insurers later use to dispute injury links.
• Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay): MedPay pays medical expenses up to its limit. Coverage can help when PIP is not on the policy or after the PIP is exhausted.
• Health Insurance Coordination: Health insurance becomes primary after PIP or MedPay ends. Providers submit claims under plan rules. Network discounts lower balances and reduce out-of-pocket risk during treatment.
• Subrogation And Liens: Insurers and providers may seek reimbursement from any settlement. Clear tracking and negotiation protect net recovery and prevent surprise balances.

Our Tacoma hit-and-run lawyers open UM or UIM when appropriate, activate PIP or MedPay, coordinate health insurance billing, and address subrogation and liens so that treatment continues and recovery is protected.

Deadlines in Hit-And-Run Cases

Missed deadlines limit recovery. The items below are time-sensitive.

• Statutes Of Limitation In Washington: Personal injury and property damage cases are generally filed within three years from the crash date. Wrongful death cases are generally filed within three years of the date of death. Exceptions exist, so confirm the timeline with an attorney experienced in hit-and-run cases.
• Auto Policy Notice And Timing: Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage requires notice within policy deadlines. Deadlines may apply to written notice, medical authorizations, proofs of loss, and independent exams. Do not give a recorded statement before counsel reviews the file.
• Evidence Retention Windows: Private security cameras and doorbells may overwrite footage within days or weeks. Some traffic cameras retain only short intervals. Agencies keep 911 audio and dispatch logs under their own schedules. Tow yards and repair shops may discard photos and damaged parts once work finishes; insurers may also purge their images. Early preservation requests protect records.

Our Tacoma hit-and-run lawyers track filing deadlines, meet policy notice requirements, and send evidence preservation requests to ensure rights are protected.

Property Damage After A Hit And Run

When no driver is identified, repairs usually run through your own policy.

• Collision Coverage And Deductible: Collision pays for repairs or a total loss, minus your deductible. If a driver is identified later or a carrier accepts fault, the insurer may reimburse the deductible.
• Total Loss Basics: Value comes from comparable vehicles and condition. Submit your comps, maintenance records, and upgrade receipts.
• Rental Or Loss Of Use: Rental benefits have daily and total caps. If rental is not on the policy, a loss of use claim may be available depending on coverage and facts.
• Repair Quality: Get written estimates and a repair plan. Take photos before work starts and after delivery. Report alignment, vibration, or warning lights right away.

Our Tacoma hit-and-run lawyers help document value, challenge weak valuations, and pursue deductible recovery.

Steps When The Driver Is Found

Identification shifts the file from first-party benefits to a direct claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer. Our team manages that transition and keeps protection in place until funds clear.

• Liability Carrier Brought In: The file moves to the at-fault driver’s insurer for evaluation. Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage stays open as a backstop until payment is verified.
• Restitution vs. Civil Recovery: A criminal case may order restitution, but it usually covers limited out-of-pocket costs. Full recovery for pain, wage loss, and future care proceeds through the civil case.
• Evidence Updated: Driver identity, statements, and any new photos or video get added to the record. Medical and repair documentation stays current so valuation reflects the full harm.
• Leverage Preserved: No initial number is accepted without complete medical information and clear links to the crash. The file is prepared to be filed if negotiations stall, which strengthens bargaining power.
• Deadlines Tracked: Civil filing limits and policy requirements continue to run during the handoff from UM to the liability carrier.

Our Tacoma hit-and-run lawyers handle the carrier handoff, monitor restitution, and press the civil case so recovery does not lose momentum.

Mistakes That Cut Case Value

The actions below can reduce case value and slow recovery.

• Delayed Care And Treatment Gaps: Late treatment and missed appointments let insurers argue the crash did not cause the injuries or that symptoms were minor. Timely, consistent care builds a clear medical record.
• Recorded Statements To Insurers: Adjusters look for answers that narrow liability or minimize pain. Short, factual reporting through counsel avoids statements that limit recovery.
• Social Media Posts: Photos or comments get used to question injuries or activity levels. Privacy settings do not block subpoenas or discovery.
• Quick Settlements Before Diagnosis: Settlements made too soon without full information lock in a low number and waive any future claims.
• Repairs Without Thorough Photos And Estimates: Missing documentation weakens both the repair payment and the link between the crash and injuries. Save all pre-repair photos and written estimates.

Our Tacoma hit-and-run lawyers guide each step so records stay clean and negotiation strength holds.

Guidance For Families After Severe Or Fatal Crashes

Family members typically provide support after a serious hit and run. The points below explain immediate benefits, high-level case options, and practical support.

• Benefits That Can Help Now: Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays medical bills up to the policy limit and may include wage replacement or funeral coverage. Uninsured Motorist (UM) applies when the driver is unidentified. Underinsured Motorist (UIM) applies when the driver lacks enough coverage. Quick notice protects access to benefits.
• Wrongful Death And Survival Cases In Washington: Washington law allows a wrongful death case and a survival case in fatal crashes. A personal representative files on behalf of the estate and the eligible family. Recovery can include medical bills, funeral expenses, lost household income, and loss of companionship.
• Paperwork And Coordination: Hospitals, insurers, and employers ask for forms, records, and billing details. Organized documentation supports payment and reduces disputes.
• Timelines And Communication: Deadlines apply to both insurance and civil filings. Consistent updates with agencies and insurers keep the file moving and prevent gaps that invite challenges.

FAQs After a Hit-and-Run Accidents

Can Compensation Be Recovered If The Driver Is Never Identified?

Yes. Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage can pay when the at-fault driver is unknown. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Medical Payments (MedPay) can cover medical bills up to policy limits. Evidence like the police report, nearby video, and medical records supports payment.

What Happens If My Insurer Pushes Back On UM Coverage?

Carriers look for late notice, thin proof of a hit and run, or treatment gaps. Our lawyers provide timely records, sworn statements when required, and formal requests for video and 911 audio recordings. Policies may require arbitration if a dispute continues.

How Long Does A Hit-And-Run Case In Tacoma Usually Take?

Timelines track medical treatment and record gathering. Cases with short treatment windows can resolve within a few months after records are complete. Cases with surgery, delayed recovery, or coverage disputes take longer or require filing suit.

Do I Need A Police Report Number To Open A UM Claim?

Not always. You can open the claim and provide the number when the report is available. Our team locates the report and adds it to the file.

How Fast Should Medical Care Start To Avoid Gaps That Hurt The Case?

As soon as possible. Day-of or next-day care links injuries to the crash and cuts off arguments about other causes. Consistent follow-up builds a clear medical record.

What If Damage Was To A Parked Car With No Injuries?

File a report, photograph the scene and damage, and get a repair estimate. Collision coverage pays minus the deductible; the insurer may reimburse the deductible if a driver is identified later. Rental or loss-of-use can apply based on the policy.

Talk With A Tacoma Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer

Freeman Law Firm guides your case with records, coverage, and deadlines aligned. Our hit and run attorneys secure video and reports, open the right insurance paths, organize medical and repair files, and keep you updated so treatment and repairs do not stall.

Call (253) 383-4500 or fill out our contact form for a quick callback. You will hear what happens next, which records we will request, and how we keep the file advancing while the driver remains unknown. No upfront fees. Representation is contingency-based. Fees are recovered at the end, and we explain costs, liens, and deductions in writing before any release is signed.