A hit-and-run on Elm Street or South Willow Street leaves you with damage, injuries, and no one to hand the bill to. The good news for Manchester drivers: you may not need to find the other driver to be paid. Here is how uninsured motorist coverage steps in when the at-fault driver disappears.

 

Can I get compensation if I am the victim of a hit-and-run in Manchester, NH?

Yes. You can file an Uninsured Motorist (UM) claim through your own auto policy, which covers hit-and-run damages under New Hampshire law. A fleeing driver is treated as an uninsured driver, so your UM coverage is designed for exactly this situation.

Filing a UM claim after a hit-and-run does not make you the at-fault driver and should not penalize your non-fault status. You are using coverage you already paid for.

 

Why hit-and-runs are common on these Manchester corridors

High-volume roads see the most fled-scene crashes, because a driver can merge back into traffic in seconds:

  • Elm Street: dense downtown traffic and constant parking turnover.
  • South Willow Street: heavy retail and delivery traffic where drivers cut across lanes.
  • Queen City Avenue: fast-moving connector traffic with quick access to the highway.

 

What to do in the first hours after a hit-and-run

The steps you take right away often decide whether the UM claim succeeds:

  • call the Manchester Police Department and file a report immediately, since UM claims usually require prompt reporting
  • write down anything you remember about the vehicle, color, make, partial plate, and direction of travel
  • look for witnesses and nearby business or doorbell cameras before footage is overwritten
  • get medical care the same day so your injuries are documented and linked to the crash
  • notify your own insurer, but speak with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement

 

How a Manchester hit-and-run lawyer strengthens a UM claim

UM claims turn into negotiations with your own insurance company, which still has a financial reason to pay as little as possible. A Manchester car accident lawyer can document the crash, handle the insurer, and press for the full value of your uninsured motorist claim.

 

Talk to a Manchester hit-and-run lawyer

Attorney David E. Buckley has handled New Hampshire injury claims for 30+ years, with a 4.9★ rating from over 250 clients. If a driver fled after hitting you in Manchester, call (603) 595-8801 for a free case review. Buckley Law Offices serves clients across Manchester and Hillsborough County.

 

ARTICLE FAQ

Q: Can I recover compensation if the driver who hit me in Manchester fled?

A: Yes. Your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage treats a hit-and-run driver as uninsured and can pay your damages, so you may not need to find the other driver to be compensated.

 

Q: Will filing a UM claim after a hit-and-run raise my rates?

A: A claim for a crash you did not cause should not penalize your non-fault status. You are using coverage you already paid for.

 

Q: What should I do immediately after a hit-and-run?

A: Call the Manchester Police Department and file a report, note any vehicle details you remember, look for witnesses and nearby cameras, and get same-day medical care. Prompt reporting is often required for UM claims.