Someone Hit Your Car and Took Off. Here’s How to Handle Towing After a Hit and Run.
A hit and run is one of the most frustrating things that can happen to a driver in Fairfax, VA. Someone slams into your car on Route 50 near Fair Oaks Mall, and before you can even process what happened, they’re gone. No insurance exchange. No apology. Just damage to your vehicle and a racing heart.
Virginia sees thousands of hit-and-run accidents every year, and Fairfax County, with its heavy traffic and dense road network, accounts for a significant share. For more information, see the Virginia State Police. Knowing what to do after a hit and run, including how to handle the towing situation, can save you money and protect your ability to recover damages.
Immediate Steps After a Hit and Run
The first few minutes after a hit and run are critical. What you do right now affects your insurance claim, any police investigation, and how quickly you get your life back to normal.
Try to Get Information on the Other Vehicle
If you saw the vehicle that hit you, write down everything you can remember immediately:
- License plate number (even a partial plate helps)
- Make, model, and color of the vehicle
- Direction they were heading when they left
- Any distinguishing features (damage, bumper stickers, missing lights)
- Description of the driver if you saw them
Don’t chase the other vehicle. Pursuing a hit-and-run driver puts you and others at risk, and in Virginia, aggressive driving in pursuit can create legal problems for you.
Call 911
Hit and run is a criminal offense in Virginia. Under Virginia Code 46.2-894, leaving the scene of an accident that results in injury or property damage over $1,500 is a Class 5 felony. Even for minor damage, it’s a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Call the police immediately. In Fairfax County, call the Fairfax County Police non-emergency line at 703-691-2131, or 911 if there are injuries or you feel unsafe. If the hit and run happened within Fairfax City limits (near the Old Town courthouse, along parts of Route 123 or Route 236), call the Fairfax City Police at 703-385-7924. The responding officer will create a police report that documents the hit and run. This report is essential for your insurance claim. Without it, proving that another driver caused the damage becomes much harder.
If the accident happened on a highway like I-66 or I-495, Virginia State Police will handle the report. On local roads in Vienna, Fairfax, McLean, or other Fairfax County communities, the county police department responds.
Look for Witnesses and Cameras
Check if anyone saw what happened. Other drivers, pedestrians, or people in nearby businesses may have witnessed the accident or even recorded it on dashcam or phone video. Get their contact information.
Also look for security cameras in the area. Gas stations, retail stores, bank ATMs, and traffic cameras may have captured footage. Note the locations so police can follow up. Many intersections in Fairfax County have traffic cameras, particularly along Route 50 (Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway), Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road), Route 29 (Lee Highway), and the Fairfax County Parkway. The Fairfax Circle area and intersections near Fair Oaks Mall also have extensive camera coverage.
Dealing With Your Damaged Vehicle
After a hit and run, you face the same vehicle decisions as any accident. Can you drive it? Does it need to be towed? The difference is that the other driver’s insurance isn’t immediately available to help.
When Your Car Needs to Be Towed
Assess your vehicle honestly. If the damage affects drivability (leaking fluids, flat tires, bent frame, deployed airbags), you need a tow. Even if the car seems driveable, hidden damage from a side-swipe or rear-end hit can make it unsafe.
Call a towing company you trust at (703) 844-2871. Tell them it’s a hit and run so they can note it on the towing paperwork. Have the car towed directly to a repair shop if possible. This saves storage fees and gets the repair estimate started.
Who Pays for Towing After a Hit and Run?
This is where hit and runs get complicated. In a normal accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance covers your towing. In a hit and run, the at-fault driver is gone.
Your options for covering the tow:
- Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage: This is the most important coverage for hit-and-run situations in Virginia. UMPD treats a hit and run like an uninsured driver situation. If you carry UMPD coverage, it will pay for your vehicle damage, including towing costs, minus your deductible.
- Collision coverage: Your collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle regardless of who caused it. You’ll pay your deductible, and your insurance company may try to recover the costs if the hit-and-run driver is found.
- Roadside assistance coverage: If your policy includes towing and roadside assistance, it covers the tow itself up to policy limits, regardless of the accident circumstances.
- Out of pocket: If you don’t have any of the above coverages, you’ll pay for the tow yourself and try to recover the cost if the other driver is identified.
The Insurance Claim Process for Hit and Runs
Filing an insurance claim after a hit and run involves a few extra steps compared to a standard accident claim:
- File the police report first. Your insurance company will require a copy of the police report to process a hit-and-run claim.
- Report the claim to your insurance company. Call them the same day. Explain it was a hit and run and provide the police report number.
- Provide all evidence. Photos of the damage, witness information, camera locations, and any details about the other vehicle.
- Get a repair estimate. Your insurance adjuster will inspect the vehicle and authorize repairs.
- Pay your deductible. For both UMPD and collision claims, you’ll typically owe your deductible. If the other driver is later found, your insurance company pursues them for reimbursement, including your deductible.
Virginia’s uninsured motorist coverage is particularly important because the state allows drivers to legally operate without insurance by paying a $500 fee. Combined with actual hit-and-run drivers, the chances of being hit by someone whose insurance won’t help you are higher than you might think.
What If the Hit and Run Happened in a Parking Lot?
Parking lot hit and runs are extremely common in Fairfax, VA. You come back to your car at Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax Corner, the shops near George Mason University, or a grocery store parking lot on Route 123, and there is a fresh dent with no note.
For parking lot incidents:
- Still file a police report, even for minor damage
- Check with the business for security camera footage
- Your collision coverage typically handles this
- Most parking lot hit and runs don’t require towing since the car is usually still driveable
If the damage is severe enough to affect drivability (like a hard hit that bent an axle or blew out a tire), you’ll need a tow from the parking lot to a repair shop.
Can Police Actually Find Hit-and-Run Drivers?
The odds of identifying a hit-and-run driver depend heavily on the evidence available. Fairfax County Police have had success using traffic cameras, license plate readers, and dashcam footage to track down hit-and-run drivers. The more information you provide, the better the chances.
Partial license plates are more useful than you might think. Police can run partial plates against vehicle descriptions to narrow down suspects. A plate number combined with a make, model, and color often produces a match.
Virginia takes hit and run seriously. Felony charges for leaving the scene of an accident with injuries carry up to 10 years in prison. Even misdemeanor charges for property damage can result in fines and license suspension. This incentivizes drivers to come forward or for witnesses to report what they saw.
Protecting Yourself Before a Hit and Run Happens
You can’t prevent a hit and run, but you can prepare for one:
- Carry uninsured motorist coverage. This is the single most important thing you can do. In Virginia, it protects you from both hit-and-run drivers and legally uninsured drivers.
- Install a dashcam. A front and rear dashcam running continuously captures the other vehicle’s plate and the impact itself. Prices start around $50 for a decent unit.
- Park in well-lit areas with cameras. In parking lots, choose spots near security cameras when possible.
- Save a towing company’s number. If you do get hit, having (703) 844-2871 ready means one less thing to figure out in a stressful moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance rates?
In most cases, your rates should not increase for a hit-and-run claim filed under uninsured motorist coverage since you weren’t at fault. Collision claims may have a different impact depending on your insurer. Check with your agent for specifics.
How long do I have to report a hit and run in Virginia?
Report it to police immediately, ideally within hours. For insurance purposes, most policies require prompt reporting, typically within 24 to 72 hours. The sooner you report, the better for both the police investigation and your claim.
What if I was parked and didn’t see the hit and run happen?
You can still file a police report and insurance claim. The police report documents the damage and location. Your collision or UMPD coverage handles the repair. Check nearby businesses for security footage that might have captured the incident.
Should I move my car after a hit and run or leave it for police?
If your car is in a dangerous position (blocking a travel lane, in an intersection), move it to safety if possible. Take photos of the original position first. If the car can’t be moved safely, turn on hazard lights and call 911. Police and a tow truck can handle it from there.
Can I get a rental car after a hit and run?
If your policy includes rental reimbursement coverage, yes. Your insurance company will authorize a rental while your car is being repaired, even for a hit-and-run claim. Without rental coverage, you’ll need to arrange your own transportation.
Hit and Run? Call for a Tow Now.
If a hit-and-run driver left you stranded in Springfield, Reston, Herndon, Annandale, or anywhere else in Fairfax County, call (703) 844-2871. We’ll get your vehicle to a repair shop quickly so you can focus on the police report and insurance claim. 24-hour service, every day of the year.