Police investigations of hit-and-run crashes in Missouri can vary in duration depending on the evidence available to officers. Cases with strong evidence, such as clear video footage or witness identification, are more likely to be resolved more quickly.
In contrast, cases with limited leads can take much longer or remain unsolved.
When a driver flees the scene of an accident, Missouri police follow a standard investigation process that includes collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, checking surveillance cameras, and searching databases for vehicle information.
The timeline depends heavily on factors like the severity of injuries, the quality of witness statements, and whether police have identifying details about the fleeing vehicle.
Understanding how these investigations work can help you take the right steps to protect your legal rights and pursue compensation with help from Missouri hit and run lawyers while police search for the driver who hit you.
How Do Missouri Police Investigate a Hit And Run?
A hit-and-run happens when a driver involved in a crash leaves the scene without stopping to exchange information or help injured people. This violates Missouri law and triggers a criminal investigation.
When police arrive at the scene, they follow a standard process to find the driver who fled:
Initial response:
Officers secure the scene, assess for injuries, and call for medical assistance.
Evidence collection:
They take photos, collect debris such as paint chips and broken car parts, and interview witnesses.
Database searches:
Police run partial license plates or vehicle descriptions through state and national systems.
Area canvass:
Investigators check nearby businesses and homes for security cameras that might have captured the crash.
Follow-up work:
Detectives contact local auto body shops to see if anyone brought in a damaged vehicle matching the description.
Missouri law requires officers to file accident reports within a 10-day reporting deadline, but that paperwork doesn’t end the investigation, which continues long after the report is submitted.
The Impact of Evidence On The Time Length of Investigation
There’s no fixed timeline for hit-and-run investigations, but the quality of evidence gives you a realistic idea of what to expect. Some cases wrap up quickly while others drag on for months or go unsolved.
The strength of initial leads determines how long police will actively work your case:
Strong evidence cases:
Clear video footage, a full license plate, or witnesses who can identify the driver often allow police to locate a suspect and make an arrest more quickly.
Moderate evidence cases:
Partial plates, distinctive vehicle features, or multiple witness descriptions may require additional investigation before the driver can be identified.
Limited evidence cases:
Vague descriptions, no witnesses, and no camera footage can stretch investigations for months before they go cold.
Police departments prioritize cases involving serious injuries or deaths over property-damage-only crashes. This means your case might move faster if someone was hurt.
What Factors Change the Timeline?
Several key factors either speed up investigations or cause significant delays. The more solid information the police have from the beginning, the faster they can identify suspects.
| Speeds Up Investigation | Slows Down Investigation |
| Clear surveillance footage | No witnesses present |
| Full or partial license plate | Common vehicle type |
| Distinctive vehicle damage | Night or bad weather |
| Multiple witnesses | Delayed reporting |
| Serious injuries involved | Property damage only |
Weather conditions, time of day, and how quickly you reported the crash all affect the investigation timeline. Poor visibility makes it harder for witnesses to see important details.
What Happens When Police Identify the Driver?
Finding the suspect doesn’t mean your case is over. Police still need to locate the person, conduct interviews, and decide whether to file criminal charges.
Once police identify a suspect, several things happen next:
- Contact and interview: Officers attempt to locate and question the suspect about what happened.
- Evidence review: Police examine all evidence to determine if they have enough for criminal charges.
- Victim notification: You’ll be contacted and informed that a suspect has been identified
- Criminal proceedings: If charges are filed, the case moves through the court system separately from your insurance claim.
The criminal case focuses on punishing the driver, not compensating you for damages. That’s why you need to pursue your own insurance claim or civil lawsuit.
What Are the Missouri Penalties for Leaving the Scene?
Missouri law imposes severe penalties for hit-and-run drivers, with consequences increasing based on the severity of the crash. These penalties are outlined in Missouri Revised Statutes 577.060.
Property damage only:
Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and fines.
Injury involved:
Class E felony with up to four years in prison.
Death involved:
Class D felony with up to seven years in prison.
Remember that criminal penalties punish the driver, but don’t pay your medical bills or repair costs. You’ll need to pursue compensation through insurance claims or civil lawsuits.
What Happens if The Driver Isn’t Found?
Many hit-and-run drivers go unpunished, which is frustrating, but it doesn’t leave you without options. When investigations go cold, you can still recover compensation through your own insurance.
Cases can remain technically open for years, even when police stop actively investigating. Sometimes new evidence emerges months later when someone gets their car repaired or a witness comes forward with new information.
If the driver is never found, you still have legal options:
Uninsured motorist coverage:
Missouri requires all drivers to carry this protection specifically for hit-and-run situations.
Medical payments coverage:
Helps pay immediate medical bills regardless of who caused the crash.
Collision coverage:
Pays to repair or replace your damaged vehicle.
Your insurance claim proceeds independently of the police investigation. Don’t wait for the police to solve the case before seeking compensation.
What Should You Do Right After a Hit And Run in Missouri?
Your actions immediately after a hit-and-run significantly impact both the police investigation and your ability to recover compensation. Taking the proper steps protects your legal rights and helps police find the driver.
Here’s what you need to do right away:
- Call 911 immediately: Report the crash to create an official record and get help to the scene
- Don’t chase the driver: This is dangerous and could make you liable if you cause another accident
- Get medical attention: See a doctor even if you feel fine, as some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately
- Document everything: Write down all vehicle details you remember while they’re fresh in your mind
- Take photos: Capture your vehicle damage, any injuries, and the accident scene
- Find witnesses: Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the crash
- Contact your insurance: Report a hit-and-run in Missouri within 24 hours to meet your policy requirements
The more information you gather at the scene, the better chance police have of finding the driver who hit you.
What Evidence Will Help Locate the Driver?
Every detail you provide to the police increases their chances of solving your case. Even small pieces of information can help investigators narrow their search and identify suspects.
Critical evidence includes:
Vehicle description:
Make, model, color, year, and any distinctive features, such as bumper stickers or damage.
Driver details:
Gender, approximate age, clothing, or other physical characteristics you noticed.
Direction of travel:
Which way was the driver heading when they fled the scene.
Time and location:
Exact time and the nearest intersection or address.
Physical evidence:
Any car parts left behind, like broken mirrors or bumper pieces.
Don’t worry if you can’t remember everything perfectly. Police can work with partial information and often piece together evidence in accident claims from multiple sources.
What Helps Police in the First Week?
The first seven days after a hit-and-run are crucial for the investigation. Evidence disappears quickly, and witness memories fade, so acting fast preserves vital clues.
Time-sensitive actions that help police:
Check for cameras: Ask nearby businesses and homeowners if their security systems captured the accident
Preserve your footage: Save any dashcam recordings immediately before they get overwritten
Return to the scene: Go back around the same time the next day to find regular commuters who might have seen something
Monitor social media: Sometimes drivers post about accidents or people share information about damaged vehicles on social media, which can help prove what caused your Missouri accident
Contact repair shops: Let local body shops know to watch for vehicles with damage matching your crash
Many security cameras retain footage for only a few days before automatically deleting it. Getting this evidence quickly can make or break the investigation.
Can You Start an Insurance Claim Before the Police Finish?
Yes, you should file your insurance claim immediately without waiting for the police to complete their investigation. These are two separate processes that run on different timelines.
Your insurance company conducts its own investigation independent of the police. Starting your claim early ensures you meet policy deadlines and can access benefits you’ve paid for through your premiums.
Waiting for the police to find the driver only delays your access to compensation for medical bills and vehicle repairs. Insurance companies expect prompt reporting and may deny claims if you delay .
Which Coverages Help After a Hit And Run?
Several parts of your auto insurance policy can help cover expenses after a hit-and-run accident. Understanding these coverages enables you to get the compensation you need while the police search for the driver.
Available insurance coverages:
Uninsured Motorist coverage:
Required in Missouri, this pays for your injuries when the at-fault driver is unknown or uninsured.
Medical Payments coverage:
Optional coverage that immediately pays medical bills for you and your passengers regardless of fault.
Collision coverage:
Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident, minus your deductible.
Personal Injury Protection:
If you have this optional coverage, it pays medical expenses and lost wages.
Missouri law requires all drivers to carry Uninsured Motorist coverage specifically for situations like hit-and-run accidents.
Do Missouri Police Have Reporting Timelines That Affect You?
Police have internal deadlines for filing paperwork, but these administrative requirements don’t affect your legal rights or limit how long you can seek compensation.
Missouri law requires police to forward reports to the State Highway Patrol within 10 days. This creates an official record but doesn’t end the investigation or affect your case.
The critical deadline for you is Missouri’s statute of limitations. You have a five-year deadline from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit under the statute of limitations for Missouri car accidents. Missing this deadline means losing your right to pursue compensation in court, regardless of how strong your case is.
Don’t confuse police administrative deadlines with your legal deadlines. The two operate independently and serve different purposes.
How Our Missouri Hit-and-Run Lawyers Can Assist With Your Claim
While police focus on the criminal investigation, we focus on getting you compensated for your injuries and damages. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we handle only auto accident cases in Missouri, so we understand the unique challenges of hit-and-run claims.
We work alongside police investigations while independently building your civil case. This dual approach ensures your rights are protected even if the criminal investigation stalls.
Our team helps by:
Conducting independent investigations:
We often uncover evidence that police miss or don’t have the resources to pursue.
Handling insurance companies:
We manage all communications to prevent delays or claim denials.
Preserving critical evidence:
We act quickly to secure surveillance footage before it’s deleted.
Meeting legal deadlines:
We ensure your claim stays on track regardless of the police investigation timeline.
Maximizing compensation:
We fight for full compensation for all your damages, not just what insurance initially offers.
We represent Missouri accident victims and work to secure compensation for their injuries and losses.
We’ve been helping Missouri accident victims for over 35 years and have recovered more than $105 million for our clients. Our experience with hit-and-run cases means we know how to protect your interests while police search for the driver.
Injured in a Hit And Run? Get Legal Help Today
The uncertainty of waiting for police to solve your hit-and-run case is stressful, but you don’t have to handle it alone. Our team at Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers is available around the clock to answer questions and explain your options.
We offer free consultations to discuss your case and help you understand the next steps. You pay no fees unless we win your case, so there’s no financial risk in getting legal help.
We can start protecting your rights immediately while the police continue their investigation. Don’t let uncertainty about the police timeline delay your access to the compensation you need for medical bills and other expenses.
Contact us online or call our office to speak with an experienced Missouri hit-and-run accident lawyer today.
Hit And Run Investigation FAQs
How long will Missouri police actively investigate my hit-and-run case?
Police typically work hit-and-run cases actively for several weeks to months, depending on the evidence available and whether the case involves injuries or just property damage, which is why knowing the steps to take after being injured in a hit-and-run is crucial.
Should I hire a lawyer if the police haven’t found the hit-and-run driver yet?
Yes, you should consult with a lawyer immediately because your insurance claim and legal rights operate independently of the police investigation timeline.
Can I use my uninsured motorist coverage before the police finish investigating?
Absolutely, you should file your uninsured motorist claim right away since this coverage is designed explicitly for hit-and-run situations where the driver isn’t found.
What happens to the police investigation if I settle my insurance claim?
Your insurance settlement doesn’t affect the police investigation, which continues as a separate criminal matter regardless of your civil claim status.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a Missouri hit-and-run?
Missouri gives you five years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit, whether or not police ever identify the hit-and-run driver.
Will police reopen my case if new evidence appears months later?
Yes, police can reopen cold cases when new evidence emerges, such as witness tips or when someone brings a damaged vehicle in for repairs.
