sharp-marten-1994/20/2026

Just got my license last week and already had a hit-and-run happen to me — I'm a mess

I honestly don't even know how to start this. I've been driving for maybe ten days total with an actual license in my wallet. Before that I practiced for months with my older sister in parking lots and quiet back roads, so I felt pretty confident. Tonight I borrowed my mom's car to make a quick grocery run — literally five minutes from the house.

I was sitting at a red light in the right lane minding my business when someone clipped the back corner of my car pretty hard and just… kept going. Didn't stop, didn't slow down, nothing. I caught maybe the first three characters of their plate in my mirror before they were gone.

I pulled into a gas station parking lot and just sat there shaking for probably twenty minutes. I called my mom but I was crying so hard she could barely understand me. I didn't know if I was supposed to stay at the scene, call 911, chase them, what. I ended up calling the non-emergency police line and an officer came out and took a report, which I guess is good?

The rear bumper is pretty mashed and there's damage crawling up the quarter panel. Mom was amazing about it — kept saying it wasn't my fault — but I feel so guilty about her car and honestly kind of traumatized. I keep replaying the sound of the impact.

Does uninsured motorist coverage actually help when you have no idea who hit you? Will this affect MY insurance even though I did nothing wrong? I feel like such an idiot even though logically I know I didn't cause this. Has anyone else dealt with this right after getting their license?

8 replies

Most helpful first

clever-wren-2364/20/2026
Oh man, I felt this in my chest. I was only about three weeks into driving solo when someone rear-ended me at a stoplight and took off. The shaking afterward is so real — your body goes into full shock mode even when you're physically fine. It does get better, I promise. You handled it way better than I did; I forgot to even call the police for like an hour.
gentle-marten-8694/21/2026
Please don't beat yourself up. You did everything right — you pulled over safely, you called for help, you got a police report. That's honestly more composed than a lot of adults would manage. Give yourself some grace tonight.
- cool-stoat-6834/23/2026
  Ten days in and you pulled over safely, called for help, talked to police, and didn't panic behind the wheel. That's actually kind of remarkable. Most experienced drivers freeze up in situations like this. You've got good instincts — this experience, as awful as it feels right now, is going to make you a more aware driver for the rest of your life.
keen-swift-6564/21/2026
When you talk to the insurance company, be careful about how much you volunteer. Stick to the facts from the police report. Adjusters are friendly but they're also looking for any reason to minimize a payout — even on a claim where you're clearly the victim. Don't speculate about speeds or timing, just say what you know for certain.
candid-beaver-1184/21/2026
To answer your uninsured motorist question — yes, UM/UIM property damage coverage is specifically designed for situations like this where the at-fault driver bails or can't be identified. The catch is that some policies require you to have made a police report (which you did, good), and some have a deductible attached to the UM property damage that's separate from your regular collision deductible. Pull out the declarations page of your mom's policy and look for 'UMPD' — that'll tell you what you're working with.

As for your rates: a not-at-fault claim shouldn't raise your premium, but I'd be lying if I said it never happens depending on the carrier and state. Worth asking directly when you file.
wise-tern-0274/21/2026
Make sure the police report number is saved somewhere safe. If any traffic cameras or business security cameras were near that intersection, they may only hold footage for 30-72 hours — so if you want to try to track down who hit you, time matters. You or your mom could call the non-emergency line again and specifically ask if any footage was pulled. It's a long shot but it does happen.
steady-wren-2444/22/2026
Even if you feel physically okay right now, adrenaline masks a lot. Whiplash-type soreness and headaches can show up 24-48 hours after a rear impact, even a moderate one. If you wake up tomorrow with a stiff neck or a headache that won't quit, please see a doctor and make sure it gets documented. Don't just push through it.
kind-marmot-4224/22/2026
File the claim today, not tomorrow. Get the police report number, take photos of every inch of the damage right now while the lighting and context are fresh, and screenshot your call log showing when you phoned the police. You're not an idiot — you got hit by a coward who ran. The paperwork is just how you protect yourself from here.