In a Missouri hit-and-run accident, the driver responsible for the collision flees the scene, leaving the victim to deal with the aftermath alone. It’s a cowardly act, adding insult to injury, and it complicates the process of seeking medical care, repairing property damage, and, importantly, getting justice.
To report a hit-and-run in Missouri first ensure your own safety, contact the local police, gather as much information related to the accident as possible, speak with anyone who witnessed the accident, and report the accident to your insurance company.
For recovery purposes for an injured victim, a hit-and-run assumes the at-fault driver has no insurance. Even if they technically do have an insurance policy, Missouri law treats hit-and-runs as uninsured motorist accidents because the victim has no way of getting the negligent driver’s insurance information.
Missouri law, specifically RSMo 577.060, addresses the crime of leaving the scene of an accident, too. This statute specifies the legal obligations of drivers who are involved in collisions and the penalties they face if they fail to comply. Understanding this law is crucial for anyone involved in a hit-and-run, whether they’re a victim or a witness.
In the event that you can’t track down the person responsible for the hit-and-run, you can pursue an uninsured motorist claim against your own insurance company, provided you meet the following criteria:
- You were injured
- Your injuries resulted from a car accident with an uninsured driver (in this case, the hit-and-run driver)
- You’re legally entitled to recover damages from the owner of the uninsured vehicle
- The limits of all policies are exhausted by payment
If you’ve been a victim of one of these nightmare scenarios, knowing how to report a hit-and-run in Missouri is the first step toward reclaiming your rights and getting the compensation you need to move on.
How to Report a Hit-And-Run in Missouri: The Very First Steps to Take
The immediate aftermath of a hit-and-run can be chaotic and disorienting. However, taking the right steps immediately can significantly improve your ability to hold the responsible party accountable and recover damages. Here’s what you need to do:
- Check for Injuries: Assess yourself and any passengers for injuries, and if anyone is seriously hurt, call 911 immediately
- Get to Safety: If it’s safe to do so and you’re able, move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic and turn on your hazard lights
- Call the Police: Even if no one is seriously hurt and regardless of how severe the damage is, report the hit-and-run to the police immediately to create an official record of the incident
- Gather Information if You Can: Try to get as much information as you can about the fleeing driver and their vehicle without putting yourself at risk, including their plate number (even a partial plate), vehicle type, make, model, any damage to their vehicle, and what direction they’re traveling in
- Look for Witnesses: If anyone witnessed the accident, ask for their names, contact information, and a brief statement of what they saw
- Document the Scene: If you can do it safely, take photos or videos of the accident scene, capturing injuries, damage to your vehicle, any debris on the road, skid marks, and the surrounding area, all of which can help reconstruct the accident and prove fault
Importantly, as tempting as it may be to try, do not chase the fleeing driver. It’s dangerous and could potentially put you at risk of further harm. Focus on taking care of yourself — stay where you are, make a proper report, and get your injuries treated immediately. Leave the pursuit to law enforcement.
Reporting the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Next, you need to report the accident to your insurance company. When you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run, you should contact them as soon as possible to report the incident.
In this situation, your own insurance company essentially steps into the shoes of the hit-and-run driver’s insurance company (if they’re never identified). That means your claim for the collision will be filed with your own insurance provider under your uninsured motorist coverage.
In Missouri, all drivers are required to have both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for situations like this, with minimums of $25,000 for bodily injury or $50,000 per crash if several people are injured.
It’s a good idea to consider purchasing higher limits of UM/UIM coverage to ensure you’re adequately protected in the event of a hit-and-run.
Even though you’re filing a claim with your own insurance company, your premiums should not increase if another driver was responsible for the accident. Missouri law protects drivers from being penalized for accidents that are not their fault.
However, don’t be misled into thinking your insurance company will automatically be on your side. Since they’re taking the place of the at-fault driver, they may vigorously defend that position, regardless of the details, in order to minimize your payout. You’ll need to prove liability and the extent of your resulting injuries and damages.
When you make your report, provide your insurance company with all the information you gathered, including the police report, medical records, witness contact information, and photos of the scene.
Be honest and factual in your description of events, and cooperate with their investigation, but be cautious about making statements without first consulting with a skilled Missouri car accident lawyer — an ally who is truly on your side.
Knowledgeable Car Accident Law Firm in Missouri
Knowing how to report a hit-and-run in Missouri goes a long way toward helping you recover damages, but even the most intelligent people struggle to deal with the legal complexities of these cases — especially when you’re also dealing with the physical and emotional consequences of an accident.
The experienced attorneys at Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of hit-and-runs. We thoroughly understand these types of claims, and we’re prepared to use our extensive knowledge and experience to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Learning how to report a hit-and-run in Missouri is only part of the battle. Figuring out the next steps can be more than a victim should take on all by themselves. If you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run, lean on us. Call 314.207.9996 today for a no-obligation case review to see how we can help.
