What should you do if a vehicle hits you and flees?

The Gurugram hit-and-run case involving biker Sia has raised questions about road safety and accountability. But if a vehicle hits you and flees, what should you do next? Here is a practical guide.A vehicle hits you and flees? Here are the immediate safety, police, evidence and compensation steps to follow after a hit-and-run accident in India. (Photo- Insta/rebelwheels_sia_)A vehicle hits you, you fall, and before you can even understand what happened, the driver speeds away. The recent Gurugram hit-and-run case involving biker Sia has brought this frightening possibility into focus. Sia alleged that a car chased and hit her bike before fleeing the spot, while the accused driver has denied deliberately causing the collision.The case is under investigation, but it raises a practical question for every road user: what should you do if a vehicle hits you and flees?MOVE TO SAFETY FIRSTIf you are conscious and able to move, get yourself away from moving traffic. Do not chase the fleeing vehicle, especially if you are injured or the driver appears aggressive.Call 112 or ask someone nearby to call emergency services. If you have serious injuries, avoid unnecessary movement until medical help arrives. Even if the injury appears minor, get checked by a doctor, as some injuries may not show immediate symptoms. RECORD AS MUCH EVIDENCE AS POSSIBLEIf you can, note down:Vehicle registration number, even partiallyColour, make and model of the vehicleDirection in which it fledTime and exact location of the accidentAny identifying details about the driverAsk witnesses for their contact details. Check whether nearby shops, homes, traffic signals or vehicles have CCTV footage. Preserve dashcam, helmet-camera or phone recordings and do not edit the original files.REPORT THE HIT-AND-RUN Inform the nearest police station and provide a clear account of what happened. Share photographs of your injuries, the damaged vehicle, the road and any visible debris.A formal complaint and FIR can help the police trace the vehicle through CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts and registration records. Do not rely only on a social media post to report the incident.INFORM YOUR INSURERIf your vehicle is damaged, notify your insurance company promptly and follow its process for inspection and claims. Keep copies of medical bills, prescriptions, repair estimates and other documents related to the accident.CAN YOU GET COMPENSATION?India has a Compensation to Victims of Hit and Run Motor Accidents Scheme, 2022. Where the offending vehicle remains unidentified despite reasonable police efforts, eligible victims may claim compensation. The notified amounts include Rs 50,000 for grievous injury and Rs 2 lakh in case of death.The key is to report the accident, preserve evidence and keep all medical and police documents safely.A hit-and-run is not just about a damaged vehicle. The immediate priority is survival, medical care and creating a proper record of what happened.- EndsPublished By: vaishnavi parasharPublished On: Sep 15, 2026 10:54 IST