How Police Investigate Hit-and-Run Accidents in Washington

A hit-and-run crash leaves people rattled in a way few moments can. One second you are going about your day, and the next you are dealing with the shock of an impact while the other driver disappears without a word. That kind of sudden silence can make you feel like you are left to sort out the pieces on your own. When someone flees, it naturally raises questions about what they were hiding, yet Washington law is clear that running away does not automatically make that person liable. Investigators still have to look at the full picture and build a case based on solid evidence.

If you were struck by a driver who sped off, it helps to know what happens next. Here is what officers actually look for and the types of evidence that matter most as they work to identify the person responsible.

Washington’s Hit-and-Run Laws Guide Every Investigation

Washington law is clear. Every driver involved in a collision, even a minor one, is required to stop, share their information, and make sure anyone who is hurt gets help. When someone fails to do that, they are violating RCW 46.52.020, and the consequences can range from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on how serious the crash was.

Leaving the scene is a crime, but it does not automatically answer the bigger question of who caused the collision. Police still have to sort through the facts and understand what actually happened. A driver choosing to run is an important clue, but it is only one piece of the larger picture investigators rely on when determining civil liability.

1. What Officers Do First: Secure, Stabilize, Document

When officers arrive, their first focus is keeping everyone safe and securing anything that could help explain what happened. Those early moments matter more than most people realize. The condition of the scene, the way vehicles are positioned, and the physical evidence still left behind often set the foundation for the entire investigation.

Officers document:

• Damage to all vehicles
• Debris, broken parts, and paint transfer
• Skid marks and impact points
• Road, lighting, and weather conditions
• Visible injuries
• Vehicle positions and distance traveled after impact

They also begin collecting descriptions right away. Many people remember more than they think, and it often takes a few targeted questions for those details to surface. A color, a partial plate number, a bumper sticker, even the direction the car sped off can become valuable clues once investigators start putting the pieces together.

Police may ask about:

• Vehicle make, model, and color
• Any part of the license plate
• Driver appearance
• Direction of travel
• Stickers, dents, or other distinguishing features

If more details come back to you later, reach out to the investigating officer as soon as you can. Even a small piece of information can strengthen the case and help move the investigation forward.

2. Witness Statements Play a Critical Role

Police also look for anyone nearby who may have seen the crash or the fleeing driver. Witnesses can fill in gaps, confirm what you saw, or offer a completely different angle that helps investigators understand the full sequence of events.

Witnesses may identify:

• Whether the driver hesitated or instantly fled
• Speeding or erratic movements
• Additional vehicle characteristics
• The sequence of events leading up to the crash

These statements help investigators verify accuracy and build a clearer timeline.

3. Surveillance Footage Is Often the Breakthrough

Video evidence has become one of the strongest tools available in hit-and-run investigations. Footage from traffic cameras, nearby businesses, or home security systems often becomes the key factor in whether officers can track down the driver who left the scene.

Footage may come from:

• Traffic cameras
• Business security systems
• Parking garages
• Home cameras like Ring or Nest
• Transit or municipal cameras

Footage might show the crash itself or the direction the driver took afterward. Even a few seconds can reveal a license plate, the make and model of the car, or a distinctive feature investigators can use to narrow down the search.

Because many cameras automatically overwrite recordings within one to three days, it is important for victims or their attorneys to request any available video as quickly as possible.

4. Forensic Reconstruction Fills in the Gaps

When video footage is not available, investigators rely on the physical evidence left at the scene to piece together what happened.

This can include:

• Paint transfer between vehicles
• Broken plastic, glass, or metal fragments
• Tire tread impressions
• Speed and impact angle analysis

In more serious crashes, police may bring in reconstruction specialists who can study damage patterns to determine the type of vehicle involved, its speed, and the direction it was traveling. These experts help fill in the gaps when the scene is complex or when the fleeing driver leaves little behind.

If a driver abandons their vehicle in an attempt to hide their involvement, forensic teams can step in. They may collect fingerprints, blood, or DNA from inside the car to confirm who was behind the wheel when the crash occurred.

Why Many Hit-and-Run Cases Are Difficult to Solve

Even with a strong response from law enforcement, some cases come with challenges that can slow the investigation, including:

• No witnesses
• No available video footage
• Minimal debris or identifying evidence
• Covered or missing license plates
• Drivers who hide or repair vehicles quickly
• Limited police resources spread across many cases

These challenges are why victims often turn to experienced legal teams such as Abeyta Nelson Injury Law Firm for help gathering evidence and keeping the case moving.

How Fault Is Determined After the Driver Is Identified

Criminal charges for fleeing do not automatically assign civil fault for the crash. Liability depends on the facts.

Investigators and insurance companies evaluate:

• The cause of the collision
• Driver behavior leading up to impact
• Whether fleeing contributed to increased harm
• Whether medical treatment was delayed
• The documented injuries and damage

Running from the scene suggests negligence, but fault still must be proven with evidence.

When Police Cannot Find the Driver

Many people do not realize that uninsured motorist coverage applies to hit-and-run crashes in Washington. State law requires insurance companies to offer this protection, and drivers must reject it in writing if they do not want it. As a result, most victims already have UM coverage without realizing it.

UM coverage may compensate you for:

• Medical treatment
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Vehicle repairs
• Long term recovery costs

Insurance companies often fight UM claims aggressively. Victims sometimes feel like they are battling their own insurer. This is where Abeyta Nelson Personal Injury Attorneys can step in to negotiate, document injuries, and prevent low settlement offers.

Protecting Yourself After a Hit-and-Run Crash

A hit-and-run crash can upend your health, finances, work, and overall peace of mind. Some investigations move quickly and others take time depending on the quality of the evidence, but you do not have to work through the aftermath on your own.

An attorney can:

• Gather witness information
• Retrieve video footage before it is deleted
• Coordinate with law enforcement
• Work with reconstruction experts
• Build and negotiate your insurance claim
• Handle communication so you do not deal with pressure from insurers

Your job is to focus on healing. Their job is to protect your claim and pursue compensation.

Hiring a Yakima Personal Injury Attorney

If you were injured in a hit-and-run and need answers, support, and a path forward, the car accident attorneys at Abeyta Nelson are here to help. Reach out today to get your questions answered, understand your options, and take the next step toward the compensation you deserve.