Why Do Drivers Flee? The Top 7 Reasons Behind Hit-and-Run Crashes

It’s the worst kind of shock. One moment you’re driving, walking, or biking—minding your own business. The next, you’ve been hit. Your vehicle’s wrecked, you’re bleeding, or you’re thrown onto the pavement—and the driver who caused it is speeding away into the night.

Hit-and-run crashes are one of the most cowardly and catastrophic acts on the road. In Chicago alone, over 36,000 hit-and-run crashes were reported in a single year, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that over 20% of all pedestrian deaths nationwide involve a hit-and-run driver. These drivers leave behind injured or dying victims, families in shock, and no one to hold accountable.

But why? Why do so many drivers choose to flee the scene of the crash rather than stay and help? It turns out, there are psychological, legal, and sometimes heartbreaking reasons behind this dangerous decision.

The Top 7 Reasons Why Hit-and-Run Drivers Flee (According to Experts)

1. They Don’t Have Insurance — And They Know It

According to the Insurance Research Council, about 1 in 8 drivers in the U.S. are uninsured. In major cities like Chicago, that number is even higher. When these drivers cause a crash, they panic, knowing they can’t pay for the damage and may lose their license or face lawsuits. So, they run.

2. They’re Under the Influence — And Don’t Want a DUI

Alcohol and drug impairment play a huge role in hit-and-run crashes. The NHTSA reports that drivers under the influence are far more likely to flee an accident scene.

3. They Have Prior Offenses or Warrants

Some drivers flee because they already have serious legal problems, such as outstanding arrest warrants, criminal convictions, or probation violations.

4. They Don’t Have a Valid Driver’s License

Driving without a valid license is a common reason drivers bolt after a car accident, fearing criminal charges and loss of privileges.

5. They Panic and Experience Psychological Shock

Many drivers experience an “acute stress reaction.” A 2021 study observed that many hit-and-run drivers described themselves as being “in a fog” or “blinded by panic.”

6. They Fear Deportation or Immigration Consequences

Some drivers flee the scene because they fear what a crash could mean for their immigration status, including arrest or deportation.

7. They Make a Selfish, Split-Second Decision

Sometimes, there’s no criminal history or substance abuse. The driver just panics and makes a selfish decision to run.

Psychological Profile of a Hit-and-Run Driver

A 2020 study in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that hit-and-run drivers often fall into two categories:

1. High-Risk, Habitual Offenders

2. Low-Risk, First-Time Flee-ers

The journal explains that this reaction is often a result of shame, fear, or impaired decision-making under stress.

What Happens to Hit and Run Accident Victims?

For victims, the trauma is long-lasting. Hit-and-run crashes often result in severe injuries, lost wages, medical debt, and emotional distress. Many victims feel helpless because there’s no driver to sue. That’s where Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage steps in.

What You Can Do: How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Helps Hit-and-Run Victims

One of the most frustrating realities of hit-and-run crashes is that many victims are left without anyone to hold accountable. When a driver disappears, there’s no insurance policy to file a claim against and no lawsuit to pursue—unless you use your own insurance protections.

That’s where Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage becomes essential. Illinois law requires that all auto insurance policies include UM coverage. This coverage is specifically designed to help when:

– The at-fault driver has no insurance

– The driver flees the scene and is never identified

UM coverage allows victims to recover compensation for:

– Medical bills

– Lost income

– Pain and suffering

– Permanent injury

– Property damage (if you carry UM property coverage)

You are not powerless after a hit-and-run accident. Through your UM policy, you can pursue the financial recovery you need to heal and move forward.

However, insurance companies may not make this process easy. Even though it’s your own policy, insurers often undervalue, delay, or deny UM claims. That’s why having an experienced Illinois personal injury attorney is so important.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we have fought—and won—on behalf of countless hit-and-run victims, helping them bring successful uninsured motorist claims. We’ve stood up to insurance companies in both trial court and Illinois appellate courts, recovering millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.

“When drivers flee, they leave behind devastation — but not hopelessness. Victims have powerful legal tools, including uninsured motorist claims, to hold the system accountable, even when the driver can’t be found. Our firm has spent decades fighting to make sure hit-and-run victims get the justice they deserve.” – John J. Malm, Naperville car accident lawyer

Preventing Hit-and-Run Accidents

Experts agree that solutions require a multi-layered approach:

– Tougher penalties for leaving the scene

– Public awareness campaigns

– Better education about legal options and driver responsibility

– Psychological support and rehabilitation for offenders

– Surveillance technology like traffic cameras

Hit-and-run crashes aren’t just accidents—they are acts of abandonment. Behind every incident is a web of fear, selfishness, panic, or criminal intent. The reasons drivers flee vary, but the impact is always the same: Innocent people are left suffering.

As that old truth goes, you never know what someone is made of until they’re tested in a moment of crisis. Sadly, hit-and-run crashes reveal what some drivers are truly made of — and it isn’t character.

Why Choose John J. Malm & Associates for Your Hit and Run Claim?

At John J. Malm & Associates, we understand how devastating hit-and-run accidents can be—physically, emotionally, and financially. Our experienced team of six award-winning car crash attorneys brings together over 90 years of combined legal experience fighting for accident victims in Naperville, St. Charles, Chicago, and across Illinois. We have successfully represented clients in complex uninsured motorist claims, including those involving hit-and-run crashes, and have prevailed in both the trial courts and appellate courts of Illinois.

Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injury victims, holding insurance companies accountable and helping our clients rebuild after tragedy. If you or a loved one has been injured by a driver who fled the scene, contact us today for a free consultation. We are ready to fight for you.