For a moment, everything is alright. Then a different vehicle strikes you and leaves. Just taillights vanishing around a bend while you sit there trying to make sense of what just happened—no halting, no information sharing.
Most people are unaware of how frequently hit-and-run incidents occur in St. Louis. Compared to a typical crash, they are much more problematic legally. You lose the most crucial element of the puzzle—someone to blame—when the other driver runs away. However, that doesn’t mean you have no more choices.
Dial 911 immediately.
Even if you believe you are not seriously injured, this is the first thing to do. Police must arrive at the spot. They’ll start an official record of what happened, record the crash, and get your statement. You might be surprised to learn how important that record is, particularly if you’re later dealing with insurance or considering legal possibilities.
Provide all the information you can to the authorities if you witnessed the car that struck you. The vehicle’s color, make, model, partial license plate number, and direction. Details are helpful. Look around for witnesses who can also assist. It could have been witnessed by someone nearby.
Even if you feel fine, get medical help.
Adrenaline is dishonest. After the collision, you might feel great, but the next morning, you might be barely able to move. Whiplash, head trauma, and internal damage don’t always manifest right away.
Seeing a doctor as soon as possible safeguards your case as well as your health. Your injuries and the accident are linked by medical documents. Insurance companies might easily raise doubts about whether the collision actually caused your injuries in the absence of that data.
Your Best Choice Might Be Your Own Insurance
Many individuals are unaware that a hit-and-run may be covered by your own motor insurance.
Particularly pertinent are two categories of coverage. When the at-fault driver is either uninsured or cannot be identified, uninsured motorist coverage takes over. You probably have uninsured motorist coverage because it is mandatory for drivers in Missouri. Even in the event that the other driver is never located, this policy can reimburse your medical expenses, missed income, and pain and suffering.
Regardless of culpability, collision coverage can assist with the cost of your car’s repairs. Use it, if you have it. The remainder can be resolved later.
Consult your policy. Coverage limits differ and not all policies cover the same things. You can learn what you’re truly entitled to under your own coverage from a St. Louis personal injury attorney.
Record Everything You Can
The next few hours are critical for developing your case. Take pictures of the incident, any debris left behind, your injuries, and the damage to your automobile. Make a note of the location if there is a traffic camera nearby because the footage might not be retained for very long. Verify whether any local companies have security cameras that could have recorded the mishap.
While it’s still fresh, jot down whatever you recall about the other car. Police may be able to identify the perpetrator with the use of even the smallest information, such as a damage, a bumper sticker, or simply a general impression of the motorist.
Law and Hit-and-Run in Missouri
It is illegal in Missouri to flee the scene of an accident. The other motorist can be charged with a felony if they hurt someone and then run away. These occurrences are investigated by police, and occasionally the driver is apprehended.
A direct route to compensation through the motorist’s liability insurance or, if necessary, a personal injury lawsuit is made possible if the driver is subsequently found. Many people believe that a hit-and-run is a dead end, therefore it’s important to know. Sometimes it’s not.
When to Hire an Attorney
You should speak with a St. Louis car accident lawyer if you were harmed. Let’s stop. It can be quite difficult to navigate your own insurance company following a hit-and-run. Sometimes insurers try to settle quickly for less than you truly deserve, reject uninsured motorist claims, or contest the severity of injuries. That dynamic is altered by having a lawyer.
For more than 20 years, Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers has handled these cases in St. Louis. Because the firm takes on fewer cases than most, you will receive more direct attention to your case and be able to communicate with actual attorneys rather than just staff. That kind of targeted assistance is important if you’re dealing with medical expenses, lost wages, and an insurance company that isn’t being fair.
Questions St. Louis Residents Have Following a Hit-and-Run
1. If the driver is never located, will I still get compensated?
Indeed, drivers in Missouri must have uninsured motorist coverage, which covers hit-and-run incidents even in cases where the other driver is never found. Through your personal insurance policy, this coverage can cover pain and suffering, medical expenses, and missed income. It’s good to have an attorney examine your policy and assist you with the claim procedure because it might get confusing.
2. What happens if my only insurance is liability?
Only when you are the cause of an accident does liability insurance protect others. In a hit-and-run, it won’t assist you. Your alternatives are more constrained but not necessarily eliminated if you do not have collision or uninsured motorist coverage. You could still be able to file a direct claim against the driver if they are later found. A lawyer can determine what options are genuinely accessible in your particular circumstance.
3. How much time do I have in Missouri to submit a claim?
In Missouri, personal injury cases typically have a five-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident. Your particular insurance may have shorter reporting deadlines for uninsured motorist claims, so take prompt action and carefully review your coverage. If you wait too long, doors that could otherwise be open may close.
4. Do I need to establish that I was struck by the other car?
A police record, witness accounts, or physical damage consistent with another vehicle making contact are examples of corroborating evidence that most uninsured motorist policies require in addition to your word. This is one of the reasons it’s crucial to call 911 right away and record everything. An insurer will find it more difficult to contest a claim if your evidence is stronger.
5. What happens if my wounds worsen over time?
Don’t settle too quickly. Before the entire amount of injuries is known, insurance firms occasionally offer speedy payouts. Even if your illness gets worse after you accept a settlement, you usually can’t go back for more. First, have a thorough medical checkup. A lawyer can assist you in comprehending the long-term consequences of your injuries and ensure that any payment accurately accounts for the true cost of your experiences.
