Driver hit my dad, fled the scene, has no insurance — I'm 23 and completely lost

First — I'm so sorry. I went through something similar a couple years ago where the other driver had a suspended license and no insurance. The thing that actually saved us was our own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which it sounds like you have. That is genuinely your lifeline right now. When you call your insurance company, specifically ask them to open a UM claim if they haven't already. It's separate from a regular claim and it's there exactly for situations like this. It felt backward to me at first — like, why am I filing with MY insurance when I didn't do anything wrong — but that's just how it works.

Be really careful about what you say to your own insurance adjuster. Even with UM coverage, they are still looking to minimize what they pay out. Don't give a recorded statement without thinking it through first. Don't downplay your dad's pain or say things like 'he's doing okay' when they ask how he's recovering — that stuff gets used against you later.

I used to work claims for a mid-size carrier, so here's the inside view: UM claims get handled almost identically to how the company would handle a claim against the at-fault driver. That means they will absolutely look for reasons to reduce the payout. Keep every medical record, every receipt, every note about what your dad can't do because of this injury — missed work, can't lift things, whatever. Documentation is everything. Also, the criminal citation against the driver can actually help your civil case because it establishes fault on record.

The criminal case and any civil claim are two separate tracks. The criminal charges (if prosecutors pursue them) are the state going after the driver — your family isn't really a party to that. But the outcome can be useful evidence if you pursue him civilly. On the UM side: your policy likely has deadlines for notifying them and filing. Check your policy documents or call and ask specifically about any time limits, because missing them can hurt your claim. A lot of personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless they recover money — might be worth a call just to understand your options.

Please make sure your dad follows through with ALL the medical care they recommend, including the physical therapy. I know it's expensive and a hassle, but gaps in treatment — like skipping PT appointments — can actually be used by insurance companies to argue that his injuries weren't that serious or that he didn't do his part to recover. It's unfair but it happens. Keep all his discharge paperwork and get copies of every doctor's note.

You're carrying so much right now and you're doing it for your whole family. That's a lot for anyone, let alone a 23-year-old. Please don't try to handle every phone call and form alone — is there a neighbor, a family friend, anyone who could help translate or just sit with you while you make calls? Even just moral support makes a difference. Thinking of you and your dad 💙

Three things to do right now: 1) Open the UM claim with your insurance if it isn't open already. 2) Stop talking to anyone about the details of the accident until you've at least had one free consultation with a PI attorney. 3) Get a notebook or a folder — physical or digital — and start logging every single call, every date, every person's name. You'll thank yourself later. This situation is fixable. Take it one step at a time.