What if the other driver fled the scene?

Act on two fronts.

Identification. Call police immediately and report it. Write down everything you remember about the vehicle — make, model, color, damage, partial plate, direction of travel — before it fades. Look for witnesses. Identify nearby cameras and note the businesses, because footage is overwritten within days and someone has to request it fast.

Coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage generally applies to hit-and-run crashes, treating the unidentified driver as an uninsured one. PIP applies as well.

Requirements matter here. UM claims involving unidentified drivers typically have notice requirements and, in some circumstances, corroboration requirements — meaning prompt reporting to police isn't just useful, it may be a condition of coverage.

Fleeing is a serious crime, and police do investigate. Vehicle damage, debris left at the scene, and camera footage identify drivers regularly.

Report to your own insurer promptly regardless of whether the driver is found.