How Long Does a Hit-and-Run Investigation Take?

A hit-and-run investigation can find the driver within hours or take weeks or longer. How long it takes depends on how much information the police have to go on and how soon after the crash they begin their search. It also depends in part on what you do right after the crash. In Michigan, the outcome of the investigation shapes your claim, too. If it identifies the person who fled, you may be able to hold them accountable. If it does not, you are left to deal with the financial consequences yourself.

In 2020, 2,564 people lost their lives in a traffic accident involving a hit-and-run driver, up from 2,037 the year before. 24% of all pedestrian deaths and 22% of all cyclist fatalities were in hit-and-run accidents with a motorist. Many more motorists, pedestrians and cyclists sustained injuries in an accident involving a driver who fled the scene.

How a Hit-and-Run Investigation Works

1. The report. Call 911 right away. It doesn’t matter if you think the accident didn’t do much damage to your vehicle or you. You may not realize the full extent of the damages until later. Tell the operator that the vehicle that hit you left the scene, so officers can be on the lookout for it. You’ll probably need the police accident report to file an insurance claim.
2. The evidence. Police work from what you, witnesses and cameras can give them. If the crash happened in a public place, such as a surveilled parking lot, police might be able to access security footage and identify the driver.
3. The search. Sometimes police discover the driver and vehicle within hours. Other times, it can take weeks or longer to finish a hit-and-run investigation.
4. The outcome. If the investigation identifies the person who fled, they may face criminal charges, and you may be able to bring a claim. Many of these accidents go unsolved, though, and the investigation closes without any resolution for the victim.

What Affects How Long the Investigation Takes

Time is of the essence when a driver leaves the scene. The sooner police can begin investigating the crash and the more evidence they have, the faster they may be able to resolve the investigation. The longer a case takes, the less likely it is to come to a positive conclusion.

That is why the length of an investigation depends in part on your actions immediately following the incident. A hit-and-run often happens so quickly that you hardly have time to register the event before the driver disappears from sight. Sometimes, though, the driver stops at least briefly and may even talk to you but fail to provide you with enough information to bring a claim against the individual before taking off. Either way, the steps you take can aid the police in finding out who is responsible.

How You Can Help the Investigation

• Right after the crash, gather as much information about the vehicle and the driver as you can. Take note of the car’s make and model, snapping a photo even if it is from a distance. You’d be surprised at how much information it can provide to aid the police in an investigation. If you can only take a mental note, try to write it down or create a note on your phone.
• Photograph the license plate. If the vehicle stops, take a photo of the license plate and car and include the driver in the image if possible.
• Note witnesses and cameras. Witnesses may notice details about the fleeing car that you miss, so take the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw it. If you notice a surveillance camera that may have captured the crash, tell the police and your attorney. They can request a copy of the footage before the camera automatically deletes it.
• Seek medical attention. Getting care immediately following the accident is critical. You may sustain injuries that don’t display symptoms for hours, days or weeks. If the investigation uncovers the driver’s identity, you want to be able to hold the individual accountable.

Who Pays for Your Injuries While the Investigation Runs

Michigan is a no-fault insurance state, so your own insurance does not wait on the investigation. As a driver, you must carry personal injury protection coverage to satisfy the state’s no-fault laws. This insurance pays benefits no matter who caused the accident. It is helpful for hit-and-runs when the driver is not identified or if the damages are minor. You may be able to rely on your auto insurance if the investigation never identifies who struck you, but if you have serious injuries, your coverage may not be enough.

• Personal injury protection (PIP) pays for your medical expenses for all treatment related to the accident, with no maximum limit. It also covers a percentage of your wages for up to three years, but there are policy limits that you may hit before the three years are up. And it covers up to $20 per day in replacement services to pay for household help to take care of duties you can’t perform.
• What PIP does not pay for: noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering, or the full extent of your lost wages. Your insurance also won’t cover you if you sustain permanent injuries or debilitating conditions that prevent you from earning your full potential.
• Collision insurance pays for damage to your vehicle, regardless of fault. This optional coverage comes in three forms: broad, standard and limited. Each of these may pay for vehicle repairs after a hit-and-run, but you may need to pay a deductible.

What Happens When the Investigation Finds the Driver

If the hit-and-run investigation is fruitful, two things can follow. The person who fled may face criminal charges, and you can file a legal claim against them.

Criminal Charges in Michigan

Fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime in Michigan. Michigan law requires motorists to stop when they know or have reason to believe they were involved in an accident, remaining on the scene until they provide the following information to other drivers, other individuals involved in the accident or a police officer:

• Name and address
• Vehicle registration number
• Driver’s license number

If someone is injured, motorists must help them secure medical assistance. When a driver fails to stop or provide all necessary information, there are consequences, even if property damage is the only outcome.

• Property damage: A hit-and-run accident resulting in property damage alone is a misdemeanor crime in Michigan when a driver is occupying or attending the vehicle. The penalties include up to 90 days in jail and fines of up to $100.
• Injury or death: A driver who leaves the scene of an accident that results in injury or death may be charged with a felony. A hit-and-run with severe injuries can lead to imprisonment of up to five years, $5,000 in fines or both. If the accident leads to a fatality, the penalty is up to 15 years imprisonment, up to $10,000 in fines or both.

Your Personal Injury Claim After the Investigation

If the hit-and-run investigation returns the identity of the driver who fled the scene, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim to recover damages. Michigan law only allows victims of car accidents or their families to file a lawsuit if they sustain serious or fatal injuries or if the at-fault driver was from out of state. However, this law only applies if the at-fault driver has insurance.

You can pursue compensation through the courts when the accident qualifies for a legal claim. A personal injury lawsuit provides an avenue for recovering economic and noneconomic damages. You may also be able to get exemplary damages, an additional award reserved for cases in which the defendant’s actions demonstrate a willful disregard for the victim’s right.

Who To Contact for Help During a Hit-and-Run Investigation

Mike Morse Law Firm is the largest personal injury firm in Michigan. We have the experience and knowledge of a large firm, with the compassion, attention and care you would expect from a much smaller organization. Our car accident lawyers understand the challenges you face after a hit-and-run. A hit-and-run lawyer can obtain the police report, speak to witnesses and take steps to identify who hit you and left the scene. Whether you need help dealing with insurance companies or filing a lawsuit, we’re with you every step of the way. We require no upfront fees and won’t collect a payment until we win compensation for you. Get in touch today for a free case review.