The Shoulder
The Shoulder
54
Car accidentsclear-wren-115

Hit and run on the highway — how do I find witnesses or footage when I have nothing?

I'm still kind of in shock honestly. About two weeks ago I got sideswiped on a busy interstate during afternoon rush hour by a large commercial truck. The driver just kept going — didn't slow down, didn't pull over, nothing. I managed to get off the road safely but by the time I stopped shaking enough to think clearly, the truck was long gone. I didn't even catch a partial plate.

My car has pretty significant damage on the driver's side and I've got some soreness in my neck and shoulder that my doctor says needs follow-up imaging. The police report was filed but the officer told me straight up that without a plate or company name, it's tough.

I've been trying to think of every possible way to track down who did this:

  • Are there traffic cameras on interstates that actually capture usable footage, and can a regular person request that?
  • Is it worth posting in local Facebook groups or Next door asking if anyone has dash cam footage?
  • Could nearby trucking companies or weigh stations have logs that might help narrow it down?
  • What about toll records?

My uninsured motorist coverage should cover me but my adjuster is already acting like this is going to be complicated without an identified at-fault driver. I feel like I'm doing their job for them at this point.

If anyone has been through something like this and found a way to track down the other driver — or found footage somehow — I'd really appreciate hearing how you did it. Or if you were on a major interstate heading west around mid-morning a couple weeks back and saw a truck clip a small SUV, please reach out.

14replies

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14 replies

  • 18
    kind-owl-692

    I went through almost the exact same thing last year — truck clipped me and vanished. The thing that actually helped me was reaching out to a local trucking forum online and describing the truck markings as best I could. Someone recognized the color scheme and logo combo I described and pointed me toward a regional carrier. Long shot but it worked. Also, some states have 511 traffic camera systems and you can sometimes get footage if you request it fast enough — call your state DOT directly, not just the police.

    • 18
      tidy-marmot-709

      File a public records request with your state DOT for any traffic camera footage ASAP. Most agencies only keep footage for 30 days or less before it's overwritten. Don't wait. Same goes for any toll authority — their cameras sometimes capture vehicle details that traffic cams miss. Time is genuinely working against you here.

  • 19
    curious-finch-404

    Your adjuster saying it's 'complicated' without an identified driver is a soft way of stalling. Your UM coverage exists precisely for situations like this — that's literally the product you paid for. Don't let them frame an unidentified driver as your problem to solve before they'll process the claim. Push back, and document every conversation in writing.

    • 1
      restless-late-shift482

      Thank you both, this gave me the push I needed to make the call.

    • 9
      hopeful-commuter632

      Same boat here. Did anyone mention a deadline to watch out for?

  • 13
    sharp-sparrow-202

    I used to work on the claims side and I can tell you — adjusters are trained to move toward the path of least resistance. If you make the case easy for them by gathering evidence yourself, great. But if they sense you don't know your rights, they'll drag it out hoping you accept a quick, low offer or drop it. Get everything in writing, keep a log of your medical appointments, and don't give a recorded statement until you understand what you're agreeing to.

    • 1
      curious-survivor415

      Wish I had seen this a month ago — would have saved me a lot of stress.

  • 14
    quick-hare-988

    A few practical things: (1) Dashcam crowdsourcing groups exist on Facebook specifically for hit-and-run situations — search for them, they're surprisingly active. (2) If the truck had any visible branding at all — even a partial color, a stripe, any lettering — that can help narrow it down to a carrier. (3) Nearby businesses with exterior cameras facing the road are worth checking. Gas stations, fast food places near highway exits, even car dealerships often have wide-angle cameras. You'd be surprised what turns up.

    • 6
      weathered-sidewalk610

      This thread is gold. Thanks everyone.

  • 20
    humble-stoat-855

    Please don't let the logistics of tracking down the truck distract you from following up on that imaging your doctor mentioned. Neck and shoulder injuries from side impacts can be sneaky — you might feel okay-ish for a few weeks and then things flare up. Get that MRI or CT done and keep every record. It matters for your health AND for documenting your injury if this ends up in a claim.

  • 15
    bright-heron-295

    Not legal advice, but a personal injury attorney with trucking accident experience often has access to investigative resources that individuals don't — including services that can pull weigh station data, ELD (electronic logging device) records, and carrier route information if you can even partially identify the truck type. Many work on contingency so there's no upfront cost. Might be worth a free consultation just to understand your options. The clock does tick on UM claims in most states.

  • 7
    bright-crane-684

    I'm so sorry this happened to you. The fact that someone just drove away is infuriating. I hope you find something. Are you doing okay physically and mentally? This kind of thing can really mess with your head even after the soreness fades.

    • 5
      patient-neighbor250

      This is really helpful — thank you for posting it.

  • 12
    candid-wren-373

    The good news is that more people have dash cams now than ever before, and the crowdsourcing thing really does work sometimes. Post everywhere you can — local subreddits, Facebook groups, Nextdoor, trucking forums. You might be shocked. And your UM coverage being active is honestly better than a lot of people's situations. You're not starting from zero even if it feels that way.