Guam · 5 min read · Published Jun 2025
Guam Hit-and-Run Accident Guide: What to Do When the Driver Flees
Being hit by a driver who flees the scene is terrifying — and it happens on Guam's roads more often than people realize. The good news: you may still have a path to compensation through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, even if the driver is never identified. Here is what to do.
What to Do Immediately After a Guam Hit-and-Run
Do not chase the fleeing driver. Call GPD immediately — a police report is essential for your UM insurance claim. Try to note as much as possible about the fleeing vehicle: color, make, model, partial license plate, direction of travel, and any distinctive features. Photograph your vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, and any surveillance cameras nearby. Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine.
Filing a GPD Hit-and-Run Report
File a GPD crash report as soon as possible. Guam's UM insurance requirements typically require a police report for hit-and-run claims. Provide GPD with all information you have about the fleeing vehicle. If the accident occurred near a business, hotel, or government facility, request that GPD check surveillance footage immediately — footage is often overwritten within 30–60 days.
Using Your Uninsured Motorist Coverage
In a hit-and-run where the driver is never identified, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is your primary source of compensation. Guam law requires insurers to offer UM coverage. Your UM policy covers medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits. Notify your insurer promptly — most policies have reporting deadlines. Do not give a recorded statement to your own insurer without first consulting an attorney; even your own insurer may try to minimize your claim.
If the Driver Is Later Identified
GPD sometimes identifies hit-and-run drivers through surveillance footage, witness tips, or paint transfer analysis. If the driver is identified, you can pursue a direct claim against their liability insurance and file a criminal complaint. Hit-and-run is a criminal offense on Guam (16 GCA §9201) — a conviction can support a civil claim for punitive damages. Guam's statute of limitations is 2 years from the accident date (7 GCA § 11306(a)).
Key Takeaways
- Call GPD immediately — a police report is required for UM hit-and-run claims
- Note the fleeing vehicle's color, make, partial plate, and direction of travel
- Your UM coverage applies even when the driver is never identified
- Request surveillance footage from nearby businesses before it is overwritten
- Hit-and-run is a criminal offense on Guam (16 GCA §9201)
- Guam's statute of limitations is 2 years (7 GCA § 11306(a))
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get compensation if the hit-and-run driver is never found?
Yes. Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies to hit-and-run accidents where the driver is unknown. UM coverage pays for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits. A police report is typically required to make a UM hit-and-run claim.
How long do I have to file a hit-and-run claim on Guam?
Guam's general statute of limitations is 2 years from the accident date (7 GCA § 11306(a)). However, your insurance policy may have shorter reporting deadlines for UM claims — often 30 days for hit-and-run. Check your policy and contact an attorney immediately.
What if I only have the partial license plate number?
Provide all information to GPD. Even a partial plate, combined with vehicle description and direction of travel, can help identify the driver. GPD may also access traffic cameras and nearby surveillance footage. An attorney can assist with subpoenaing surveillance footage before it is overwritten.