The short answer
Call 911 and get a police report number, even if your injuries seem minor. Illinois requires auto policies to include uninsured motorist coverage that also covers hit-and-run vehicles, so your own policy may pay for your injuries if the driver is never found. Camera footage can be overwritten within days, so ask nearby businesses to save it right away.
Immediate steps
Stay safe and call 911
Write down what you remember
Find witnesses and cameras
Get medical care
Notify your insurer
Where compensation can come from
Your uninsured motorist coverage
Illinois's uninsured motorist statute expressly covers hit-and-run vehicles. The claim goes against your own policy, or in some cases a household member's policy, including when you were a pedestrian or cyclist.
If the driver is identified
Police or your own investigation may identify the driver later. You can then pursue that driver's liability insurance, and your UIM coverage if their limits are too low.
Compensation you may recover
- Medical expenses, past and future
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Pain, suffering, and loss of normal life
- Vehicle damage, depending on your coverage
Deadlines
Most Illinois injury lawsuits must be filed within two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202), but your policy's notice and arbitration deadlines for an uninsured motorist claim can be shorter. Review your policy early.Primary sources
- 215 ILCS 5/143a — Uninsured and hit-and-run motor vehicle coverage
- 735 ILCS 5/13-202 — Two-year personal injury limitation
This article is general information, not legal advice for your situation.