What Are My Legal Options After a Pedestrian Hit and Run in Denver?

TL;DR: You can recover compensation through uninsured motorist coverage even if the driver is never found, file insurance claims within required timeframes, work with police investigations, and pursue legal action to hold hit-and-run drivers accountable when they’re identified.

A car hits you. The driver speeds away. You’re left injured, confused, and wondering what happens next.

Pedestrian hit and run Denver cases create unique legal challenges. The driver fled, so how do you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain? Who pays when the person responsible vanishes?

Let me walk you through your legal options, from the immediate steps that protect your rights to the insurance coverage that pays your claim—even when police never find who hit you.

What Should You Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Hit and Run?

Call 911 and Report the Crime

Call 911 immediately to report the pedestrian hit and run Denver incident—this creates an official police report that’s essential for both criminal prosecution and your insurance claim. Hit and run is a crime in Colorado. Police investigation starts the moment you report.

Get medical attention even if injuries seem minor. Adrenaline masks pain, and some injuries don’t appear for hours. Internal bleeding, concussions, and soft tissue damage can worsen quickly without treatment.

The police report becomes the foundation of your entire case, whether the driver is found or not. Follow the complete immediate action checklist to ensure you don’t miss critical steps while in shock.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

If you’re able, photograph the scene: skid marks, debris, traffic signals, your injuries. Get witness information—names, phone numbers, and brief statements about what they saw.

Note any vehicle details you remember: color, make, model, license plate (even partial), distinctive features. Check for surveillance cameras at nearby businesses, traffic lights, or homes that might have captured the incident.

Let me tell you: evidence disappears fast after a hit and run. Skid marks fade with the next rain. Businesses delete surveillance footage after 30 days. Document everything you can before leaving the scene.

Seek Immediate Medical Care

Go to the ER or urgent care right away, even if you think you’re okay. Medical records create a timeline linking your injuries to the hit and run. Delayed treatment gives insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries weren’t serious.

Understanding who covers treatment when the driver flees helps you get care without worrying about immediate payment.

How Does the Police Investigation Work in Hit and Run Cases?

What Police Do to Find the Driver

Denver Police Department treats pedestrian hit and runs seriously—they open an investigation immediately. Police investigation includes canvassing the area for surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and checking for vehicle debris that can identify make and model.

Traffic cameras at intersections may have captured the vehicle or license plate. Police may issue alerts to auto body shops, rental agencies, and insurance companies to watch for damaged vehicles matching the description.

Your Role in the Investigation

Provide as much detail as possible: vehicle description, direction of travel, time of day, any sounds you remember. Contact police if you remember additional details later—even small details help.

Share any photos or videos you took at the scene. Follow up regularly with the investigating officer for updates.

One of the worst things I see is people assuming police will handle everything. You need to stay actively involved. Call weekly for updates. Ask what else you can provide. Keep the case active.

What Happens If the Driver Is Never Found

Many pedestrian hit and run cases remain unsolved because the driver flees quickly and leaves minimal evidence. Even if police never identify the driver, you still have legal options for compensation.

Unknown driver recovery through your own insurance becomes the primary path forward when investigations stall.

What Insurance Coverage Pays When the Driver Flees?

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM Coverage)

Uninsured motorist pedestrian colorado claims treat hit-and-run drivers the same as uninsured drivers—your UM coverage steps in to pay for injuries. If you have auto insurance with UM coverage, it pays for your injuries even though you weren’t driving.

UM coverage includes medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages just like a regular injury claim. Colorado allows UM coverage to apply to pedestrians hit by cars, not just passengers in vehicles.

Learn about the detailed explanation of Colorado pedestrian insurance coverage to identify all potential sources of compensation.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If police eventually find the driver but they lack adequate insurance, your underinsured motorist coverage fills the gap. This coverage pays the difference between the at-fault driver’s policy limits and your actual damages.

MedPay and PIP Coverage

Medical payments coverage (MedPay) on your auto or health insurance covers immediate medical expenses regardless of fault. Personal injury protection (PIP) may provide additional coverage depending on your policy.

These coverages help you get treatment quickly while pursuing other compensation.

What If You Don’t Have Your Own Auto Insurance

If you don’t own a car or don’t have UM coverage, recovery becomes more difficult but not impossible. Check whether family members you live with have UM coverage that might extend to you.

Health insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare can cover medical bills. Crime victim compensation programs may provide some assistance.

Can You Recover Compensation If the Driver Is Never Identified?

Yes—unknown driver recovery is possible through your uninsured motorist coverage even if police never find who hit you. This is one of the most important facts victims don’t know.

You bear the burden of proof, meaning you must prove: a hit and run occurred, you were injured, and your injuries were caused by the hit and run. Evidence you gather becomes crucial: police reports, witness statements, medical records, scene photos.

Your insurance company may investigate just like they would if the driver were known. Building a strong case with proper evidence becomes the foundation of unknown driver recovery.

Let me tell you: insurance companies don’t automatically pay hit-and-run claims. They scrutinize them heavily because they can’t subrogate against an unknown driver. Every piece of evidence matters.

Are There Reward Programs to Help Find Hit and Run Drivers?

Denver Metro Crime Stoppers offers rewards for information leading to the arrest of hit-and-run drivers. Reward programs typically range from hundreds to several thousand dollars depending on injury severity.

Publicizing your case through news media can generate tips that help police identify the driver. Reward programs increase the chances of finding the driver, which opens up more compensation options.

Social media campaigns organized by family and friends sometimes generate leads police follow up on. Your lawyer can help coordinate media outreach and reward offers to maximize chances of finding the driver.

How Does Colorado Law Treat Hit and Run Drivers?

Criminal Penalties

Colorado law requires drivers to stop after accidents causing injury—failure to stop is a crime. Penalties depend on injury severity: leaving the scene with injuries is typically a felony.

Criminal prosecution is separate from your civil claim for compensation. The driver may face jail time while you pursue damages separately.

Enhanced Civil Penalties

If police find the driver, they may face both criminal charges and civil liability for your injuries. Hit and run adds urgency to your case because drivers who flee show consciousness of guilt.

Colorado’s comparative negligence rules still apply—you may recover if the driver bears fault for the collision. Understanding your rights under Colorado pedestrian laws helps you evaluate liability.

What Legal Steps Should You Take After a Hit and Run?

File Insurance Claims Quickly

Report the hit and run to your insurance company immediately, even if you’re not sure whether you have UM coverage. Insurance policies often require prompt notice—delays can jeopardize your claim.

Don’t give recorded statements to your own insurer without consulting a lawyer first. Learn about handling insurance company communications to protect yourself from common tactics.

Preserve All Evidence

Keep copies of the police report, medical records, bills, and all documentation related to the hit and run. Don’t post about the accident on social media—insurance companies monitor posts and use them against claims.

Document how injuries affect your daily life: pain levels, missed work, activities you can’t do.

Understand Time Limits

Colorado’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the accident date to file a claim. This applies to both UM claims and claims against the driver if they’re found later.

Don’t wait to take action—evidence fades and witnesses disappear. Review understanding deadlines for your claim to avoid missing critical windows.

When Should You Hire a Lawyer for a Hit and Run Case?

Why Hit and Run Cases Need Legal Expertise

Hit-and-run claims are more complex than standard pedestrian accident cases because you’re dealing with unknown defendants and insurance coverage issues. Insurance companies scrutinize hit-and-run claims heavily and often try to deny them.

We investigate thoroughly, gathering evidence that proves the hit and run occurred and connects your injuries to the incident. We negotiate with your insurance company to ensure they honor UM coverage obligations.

What a Lawyer Does for Your Hit and Run Case

We work with police to stay updated on the investigation and push for active pursuit of leads. We hire investigators to find additional evidence: surveillance footage, accident reconstruction, witness interviews.

We handle all insurance company communications, protecting you from tactics that weaken claims. We calculate full compensation including future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Recognize when you need legal help before insurance companies take advantage of your situation.

Cost of Legal Representation

Most pedestrian accident lawyers work on contingency—you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered. We advance costs for investigation, medical record requests, and expert witnesses. You can focus on healing while we handle the legal complexities.

What Compensation Can You Recover in Hit and Run Cases?

Medical expenses: emergency treatment, surgery, physical therapy, future medical care. Lost wages: time missed from work during recovery and reduced earning capacity if injuries cause long-term disability.

Pain and suffering: physical pain, emotional distress, reduced quality of life. Property damage: damaged clothing, phone, or other belongings.

UM coverage typically provides the same compensation types as liability claims against identified drivers. Compare your situation to typical compensation ranges in Colorado to gauge fair settlement values.

Settlement amounts depend on injury severity, policy limits, and strength of evidence proving the hit and run occurred.

How Do Location and Circumstances Affect Your Case?

Hit and runs at dangerous intersections may indicate systemic safety problems that strengthen your case. Check Denver’s most dangerous areas for pedestrians to understand location-specific risks.

Crosswalk accidents where drivers flee show clear violation of pedestrian right-of-way laws. School zone hit and runs often generate more public attention and police resources. Parking lot incidents may have better surveillance footage that helps identify the vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I only saw part of the license plate?

Even partial plate information helps police narrow their search significantly. Report any numbers or letters you remember, along with vehicle color and type.

Can I file a claim if the driver is never found?

Yes, uninsured motorist coverage treats unknown drivers the same as uninsured drivers. You can recover compensation through your own UM coverage.

How long do police actively investigate hit and runs?

Investigation intensity varies by case severity. Serious injury cases get more resources, but all cases remain open indefinitely. Stay in contact with investigators regularly.

What if I don’t have car insurance because I don’t own a vehicle?

Check whether family members you live with have UM coverage that extends to you. If not, health insurance and crime victim programs may help.

Will my insurance rates go up if I file a UM claim?

Generally no, because you weren’t at fault. UM claims typically don’t increase rates like at-fault accidents do, but policies vary by insurer.

Can I sue the driver if police find them later?

Yes, you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. Even if you’ve started a UM claim, finding the driver opens additional compensation options.

What if the driver was never licensed or had fake plates?

This doesn’t change your UM claim. Unlicensed drivers are treated as uninsured for coverage purposes, so your UM coverage applies the same way.

Protect Your Rights After a Hit and Run

Pedestrian hit and run Denver victims have legal options even when the driver flees and is never found. Your uninsured motorist coverage provides a path to compensation when unknown driver recovery becomes necessary.

Quick action—reporting to police, documenting evidence, filing insurance claims—protects your rights. Don’t try to navigate hit-and-run claims alone. Our pedestrian accident legal team has handled hundreds of hit-and-run cases and knows how to maximize recovery.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll investigate your case, work with police to find the driver, handle insurance negotiations, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Time matters in hit-and-run cases—call now to protect your rights.