Hit-and-run destroyed my work truck and my whole income — 21 and drowning

Worked inside a major carrier for years. Here's the honest thing about UM claims on hit-and-runs with physical contact: most states actually DO allow UM to apply when there's documented contact, even if the other driver fled. The key word is documented — police report, photos of the impact point, witness statements if anyone saw it. Pull your policy and find the exact language around "uninsured motorist" and "physical contact requirement." It's usually in its own section. Your informal books are fixable too — bank statements, invoices, client texts, even your scheduling app can all be used to show lost income. Start gathering all of it now.

I went through almost the exact same thing two years ago — hit-and-run, my van was how I made my living, and the waiting game with the adjuster was absolutely brutal. One thing that helped me: I filed a police report the same night and then followed up with the detective assigned to it every few days. Having an active police report number made my UM claim go smoother because it documented that I genuinely tried to identify the other driver. If you haven't already done a formal report, do it today even if it feels late.

Practical stuff: (1) Get a rental going if your policy includes it — call and ask specifically about rental reimbursement coverage TODAY, not when they "get back to you." (2) Send your adjuster an email right now with a subject line that includes your claim number and the word "FOLLOW UP" so there's a timestamp. (3) Take photos of everything — the median damage, your truck, your equipment that was in the bed. If it's at an impound lot, go there and photograph it before they move it. You're in triage mode. One step at a time.

I just want to say — the fact that you're asking questions and trying to figure this out instead of shutting down says a lot. Two years of work to build something and have it ripped away like that is genuinely devastating. I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Please don't forget to eat and sleep in the middle of all the logistics stuff. It matters.

For the lost income piece — sole proprietors can absolutely claim lost business income, but you'll want to build a paper trail now while it's fresh. Pull together: average monthly revenue from the past 6-12 months (bank deposits work), any signed contracts or written agreements you had to cancel, and a simple log of every job day you've missed. Even a notes app entry dated each day counts for something. The more contemporaneous it is, the better. Don't wait until the adjuster asks — have it ready.

Not legal advice, but I'd just flag this: UM/UIM coverage for hit-and-runs, lost income documentation as a self-employed person, and total loss valuations are all areas where insurance companies have a lot of discretion — and a lot of room to undervalue your claim. A free consult with a PI attorney doesn't obligate you to anything, and many of them have dealt with exactly this fact pattern. Worth at least understanding your options before you sign anything.