A hit-and-run accident lawyer in Memphis helps you pursue compensation when the driver who hurt you drives away. We gather proof, handle the insurers, and pursue your own uninsured motorist coverage, even if police never find the driver. Contact us at (901) 402-2000 for a free case review.
Key Takeaways
- Your own policy may pay. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can cover injuries caused by a driver who is never found.
- Evidence disappears fast. Ask nearby businesses and neighbors to save camera footage right away, before it is erased.
- No contact? You need outside proof. If the other car never touched yours, a witness or video from outside your vehicle can make the difference.
- Be careful with insurers. Talk with a lawyer before you give a recorded statement, sign an insurance form, or accept a settlement offer.
- Deadlines are short. Tennessee's filing deadline for injury lawsuits is shorter than in many states, so starting early protects your case.
Why You May Need a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer in Memphis
Hit-and-Run Crashes Are a Daily Problem in Memphis
Memphis police respond to about 22 hit-and-run crashes a day, down from more than 32 a day in 2024, according to Memphis police hit-and-run data reported by FOX13 in March 2026.
Drivers Who Flee Break Tennessee Law
Tennessee law requires any driver involved in a crash that injures someone to stop, share their information, and help. When a driver flees, your uninsured motorist coverage can often pay, even if police never find the driver. Cory Watson Attorneys has represented injured people for more than 44 years.
What You Say Early Matters
Insurance companies may ask for a recorded statement or a quick signature soon after the crash. What you say early can be used against your claim, so it helps to have a lawyer in your corner from the start.
What to Do Immediately After a Memphis Hit-and-Run
- Call 911 and see a doctor the same day, even if you feel fine.
- Ask the Memphis Police officer or state trooper for the report number.
- Write down what you saw: a partial plate, the car's color, any damage, and which way it went.
- Ask nearby businesses and neighbors to save their camera video right away.
- Tell your insurer quickly, keep the call short, and talk with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement.
How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Applies to Hit-and-Run Claims
How UM Coverage Works
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance, and Tennessee treats an unknown hit-and-run driver much the same way. Tennessee's UM law requires auto policies to include this coverage unless the policyholder declined it, so check your declarations page.
When the Other Car Never Touched Yours
If the other car never touched yours, Tennessee requires strong proof that the other driver existed, and that proof must come from someone other than the people in your vehicle. An outside witness or video can meet that test.
Vehicle Damage
Whether UM pays for car repairs depends on your policy; collision coverage often fills that gap.
Recovering Compensation When the Driver Is Never Found
Which Policies May Pay
No arrest does not mean no claim. Your own auto policy, a household member's policy, or the policy on the car you were riding in may pay.
What a Claim Can Cover
A claim can cover out-of-pocket medical costs, documented lost wages, future care your doctors expect, and pain and suffering.
When a Hit-and-Run Takes a Loved One's Life
Tennessee's wrongful death statutes set out who may bring the claim, generally starting with the surviving spouse, then the children or other next of kin, or the estate's personal representative. Our Memphis wrongful death lawyers gather the evidence, deal with the insurers, and pursue funeral and burial costs, medical bills, and the loss of your loved one's companionship.
Punitive Damages Are the Exception
Punitive damages are the exception, not the rule. In Tennessee, they are available only when expressly authorized by statute, under the Tennessee Civil Justice Act. That law sets a high bar: you need very strong proof that the driver's conduct went far beyond carelessness.
How Our Memphis Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers Investigate Your Case
Tracking Down the Driver
We canvass business, home, and traffic cameras along the driver's escape route. Paint transfer, broken parts, body shops, and witnesses can lead us to the car.
Proving What Happened
We review the police report and conduct our own independent investigation, using the same crash reconstruction tools as our Memphis car accident lawyers to show speed, impact angle, and fault.
Why Do Memphis Drivers Call Us?
We Know These Roads
From the I-240 loop to the freight traffic on Lamar Avenue (U.S. 78), a corridor that serves Memphis International Airport and the FedEx World Hub, we know how Memphis crashes happen. Our office is a short walk from the Shelby County Courthouse on Adams Avenue.
You Can Reach Us Any Time
Our phone lines are open 24/7, and we explain each step in plain words.
How Do You Get Started?
- Reach out. Contact us at (901) 402-2000 or use our free case review form.
- Get a free review. We look at your crash report, injuries, and insurance policy.
- Let us get to work. We collect evidence and notify insurers.
How Long Will It Take?
Some cases resolve in a few months, while others take a year or more. Tennessee's filing deadline for injury lawsuits is shorter than in many states, so starting early protects your case. You can explore our services for other Memphis injury claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my crash report?
You can order it online through the state's crash report system, use the Tennessee crash report request page for other options, or contact the agency that investigated the crash.
Can I recover compensation if police never find the driver in Memphis?
Yes, in many cases. Your own uninsured motorist coverage can pay for injuries caused by an unknown driver. You must show another driver caused the crash, so report it to police quickly and save any video, photos, or witness names you have.
Does the other car have to hit mine?
Not always. If the cars never touched, you need strong proof from someone other than the people in your vehicle that the other driver existed. An outside witness or a business camera on a Memphis street can make the difference, so act before footage gets erased.
How long do I have to file a hit-and-run claim in Tennessee?
Tennessee's deadline for injury lawsuits is much shorter than in many states, and your insurance policy may require prompt notice too. Some exceptions can change the deadline, so call us early. Waiting can mean lost video, faded memories, and a closed door.
What if I was walking or biking in Memphis when I was hit?
You may still use UM coverage from your own auto policy or a household member's policy, depending on its terms. Our Memphis pedestrian accident lawyers handle these cases. Get medical care, report the crash, and let us find every policy that may pay you.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?
Usually, yes. Under Tennessee's modified comparative fault rule, you can recover damages as long as you are not found equally or more at fault than those who caused the crash, though your award will be reduced by your share of fault. Insurers often push more fault onto you, so we gather evidence to show what really happened.
Our Memphis Office
Cory Watson Attorneys, 254 Court Avenue, Suite 511, Memphis, TN 38103 · (901) 402-2000
Ready to Talk About Your Case?
A driver chose to leave, but you do not have to handle what comes next alone. Contact us at (901) 402-2000 any time, or contact us today through our free case review form.