Your Action Plan After a Hit-and-Run as a Contractor

Topics > Contractor Work Injury Claims

If you are a contractor hit by a driver who flees the scene, your immediate reaction sets the stage for your entire claim. This situation is uniquely frustrating because the at-fault party is gone, but your options are not. You must act swiftly and deliberately to protect your health, your evidence, and your right to compensation. Time is not on your side, and the steps you take in the first hours are critical.

Your first and only priority is your health. Call 911 immediately. Even if you feel “okay,“ the adrenaline from the crash can mask serious injuries. A paramedic’s evaluation creates an official record linking the incident to any potential injuries, which is foundational for any claim. When police arrive, provide every detail you can remember about the vehicle—color, make, model, any part of the license plate, and the direction it fled. Get the responding officer’s name and the police report number. This report is a non-negotiable piece of evidence. If there are any witnesses, get their names and contact information before they leave the scene. Use your phone to take comprehensive photos and videos of the scene, your vehicle or work equipment damage, skid marks, and any visible injuries.

As a contractor, your work injury claim now diverges from a standard employee’s path. You likely do not have standard workers’ compensation to fall back on. Therefore, you must turn to your own insurance policies. Here is where your preparation before the accident pays off. You need to review two key types of coverage: the Uninsured Motorist coverage on your auto policy and any Occupational Accident or Contractor’s Disability policy you may hold. Uninsured Motorist coverage is designed for exactly this scenario—when an at-fault driver has no insurance or, as in a hit-and-run, cannot be identified. It can cover your medical bills, lost wages from being unable to work, and pain and suffering. This is your primary avenue for recovery. Notify your auto insurance company of the claim without delay, but stick to the facts. Do not speculate or give a recorded statement without understanding the full scope of your injuries.

Simultaneously, you must document the financial impact with precision. Keep a detailed journal of your medical treatments, pain levels, and, crucially, every day you are unable to work. As a contractor, lost income is a direct, calculable loss. Gather invoices, contracts, and bank statements that prove your typical earning capacity. This documentation transforms your claim from a story into a supported financial demand.

Navigating a hit-and-run claim as a contractor is complex. Insurance companies, even your own, will minimize the payout. Given the high stakes involving your health, your livelihood, and the interplay of insurance policies, consulting with a personal injury attorney who understands contractor work is a strategic move, not a sign of weakness. They can investigate the crash, handle the insurance negotiations, and ensure you are not shouldering costs that the hit-and-run driver should have paid. Your job is to heal and document; let a professional fight for the full compensation you need to recover and get back to work.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I not sign a medical release or quick settlement?

A broad medical release allows the adjuster to access your entire medical history, which may be used to argue your injuries are pre-existing. A quick, early settlement is often far less than your claim’s full value, especially before you reach maximum medical improvement. Once you sign a settlement, you permanently give up your right to seek more money, even if hidden injuries or costs emerge later.

Yes. Evidence can come from many sources. Security cameras from a business, traffic cameras, dashcams, or footage from witnesses’ smartphones can all be crucial. Your attorney can formally request this footage from the property owner, municipality, or individuals. It is important to identify and secure this evidence quickly, as many security systems automatically overwrite old footage after a set period, such as 30 or 90 days. Do not assume it will be saved for you.

Exchanging information with all parties is critical because it protects your right to file a claim and establishes the facts while memories are fresh. If you only get information from one driver, you have no way to contact others for their account or to pursue their insurance company if they are at fault. This exchange creates the initial, neutral record. Failing to do this can severely complicate or even invalidate your claim later, as you may have no proof of who was involved or how to reach them.

You can claim two main types of damages. “Economic damages” cover concrete financial losses: vehicle repair or replacement costs, all medical bills (including future treatments), lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses like rental cars. “Non-economic damages” compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In rare cases involving extreme negligence, “punitive damages” may be awarded to punish the at-fault party. Keep meticulous records of every expense and how your injuries affect your daily life to support your claim for full compensation.