Got sideswiped by a hit-and-run driver — they actually caught him. Now what?

Almost the exact same thing happened to me a couple years back — impaired driver, hit and run, they got caught about a mile away. The arrest absolutely helped. The police report noted the DUI and that made the liability conversation with insurance way shorter. They weren't exactly jumping to argue about fault when there was a criminal charge attached. Document everything, especially that urgent care visit. That was smart.

Just a heads up — even with a police report and an arrest, the other driver's insurance is going to do their own investigation before they admit anything. Don't let them rush you into a recorded statement before you know the extent of your injuries. That neck stiffness could turn into something more serious over the next few days or weeks, and if you've already settled or said 'I'm fine' on a recorded call, you're stuck.

Please don't brush off the neck stiffness. I see people come in days or even a week after a collision and they're surprised by how much worse it got. Soft tissue stuff doesn't always show up on the first day — inflammation builds. If urgent care didn't do imaging and it's not improving, push for it. Having that documented early is also really important if this turns into a claim situation.

A few things worth knowing: you'll generally want to file a claim with the at-fault driver's liability insurance first since they're clearly at fault here. You can also open a claim with your own insurer — especially if you have uninsured/underinsured coverage — just to have it in play, though that varies by policy. Get a copy of the police report as soon as it's available. The arrest record and any charges filed are separate documents but can be relevant. And keep a simple log of every symptom, every appointment, every day you missed work or felt limited. That stuff matters later.

Not legal advice, but situations involving an impaired at-fault driver who fled the scene often have more complexity than they first appear — both in terms of the insurance claim and potential civil liability beyond basic property damage. Given that you're already experiencing physical symptoms, it might be worth at least a free consultation with a PI attorney before you talk to the other driver's insurer. Most won't charge anything upfront and can tell you whether your situation warrants representation.

Honestly just glad you're okay. That sounds terrifying — being hit and then watching someone just speed away like your car and your safety meant nothing. I hope the stiffness is nothing serious. Take care of yourself first, the insurance stuff can wait a day or two while you breathe.

File with both insurers today. Don't wait. The longer you sit on it the more it looks like the damage or injuries weren't serious. Keep every receipt — urgent care, any prescriptions, even parking at the clinic. And stop posting details about your injuries or the accident on social media if you haven't already. Seriously.