After a car accident in Independence, Missouri, drivers are expected to remain on the scene until police arrive. However, some drivers flee the scene in an effort to avoid responsibility. This is known as a hit-and-run, and it’s a crime.
If another driver has fled the scene of an accident that injured you, our experienced Independence hit-and-run lawyers can help. Whether the offending driver is caught or not, Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers can work toward recovering the compensation you deserve.
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Injured in an accident where the other driver fled the scene in Independence, Missouri? Our award-winning hit-and-run accident attorneys in Independence, Missouri, will fight for you. Call (816) 382-6915 for a free case evaluation.
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How Our Hit-and-Run Lawyers in Independence Will Help With Your Claim
Even straightforward car accident claims can be hard to navigate if you’re not an attorney. Hit-and-run cases have an added layer of complexity, so finding the right legal representation is especially critical. These are some of the key ways we can help:
- Discussing your case with you and helping you decide on the best way forward
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence
- Negotiating with insurance companies to help you recover a fair settlement
- Taking your case to court if the other side won’t agree to a reasonable settlement
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we take pride in going above and beyond for our clients. Our team will help you file the appropriate insurance claim after a hit-and-run — and we’ll also join the effort to locate the driver.
If we do find the driver who hit you, this opens up another path to winning you compensation. The driver may also face criminal charges for leaving the scene of the accident.
When you’re looking for a skilled attorney, experience matters. Attorneys Paul Beck and John Beck focus exclusively on traffic accidents and injuries, and we have more than 35 years of experience helping people who have been harmed in car crashes.
Suing for a Hit-and-Run Accident
Drivers who flee the scene after an accident generally do so for one of two reasons:
- They panic and drive away without thinking
- They are deliberately trying to avoid arrest or other consequences
When most people think of a hit-and-run accident, they picture a collision between two cars when one vehicle drives away. This is a common scenario, but it’s far from the only one. Our experienced Independence hit-and-run lawyers assist clients after many types of hit-and-run crashes. These are some examples:
- Accidents where a drunk driver flees to avoid a DWI charge
- Bicycle accidents where a vehicle directly strikes a cyclist
- Bicycle accidents where a driver’s reckless actions force a cyclist to crash
- Pedestrian accidents where a person is struck by a vehicle
- Accidents with motorcycles, whether the driver or motorcyclist is at fault
- Accidents where a vehicle is run off the road, even if no contact occurs
When you work with us, our experienced Independence car accident attorneys will strive to find the at-fault motorist so that we can take legal action against them on your behalf. If the perpetrator can’t be found, we’ll discuss other options, like filing a claim against your own uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident
Car accidents in Independence, Missouri, are always stressful. However, that stress is multiplied if the other driver leaves you alone at the scene. Here are five steps to take if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run.
1. Notice What You Can About the Driver and Their Car
Try to remember any identifying features of the car, the driver, or both. A license plate number will help the most, but it’s not always possible to catch sight of it before the driver flees.
Remember the type of car, the color, and the direction the driver went. If you can see the driver, try to remember what they look like. Even seemingly small details can make a difference.
While it may be tempting to do so, you shouldn’t follow a driver who leaves the scene of a wreck. If a driver is willing to commit a hit-and-run, they might be willing to commit another crime to stop you from identifying them.
You also could be charged with a hit-and-run yourself if you flee the scene of the accident. This is true even if the other driver caused the accident or left the scene first.
2. Get to Safety and Assess Your Injuries
If you’re in a dangerous location, try to get yourself and any passengers out of harm’s way. For instance, if you can’t move your car out of the roadway, walking to a grassy median or onto the shoulder can reduce your risk of further injuries.
Once you’ve gotten to relative safety, take a moment to see how badly you’re injured. Keep in mind that the adrenaline rush that comes with a car crash can significantly reduce pain, so even if you’ve been seriously hurt, you might think you’re unharmed.
3. Call 911
Calling 911 is always wise after a major accident, but it’s particularly important after a hit-and-run. When police come to the scene, they will create an accident report. If you later file an insurance claim, a lawsuit, or both, this report will be a key piece of evidence.
When you call 911, you should also request emergency medical personnel. They can assess your condition at the scene and tell you whether you should seek further care at a hospital.
4. Document the Scene
While you wait for police and emergency medical personnel, take photographs that show the general location of the crash. You should also take pictures of any damage to your car.
If you noticed anything about the other car or its driver, take a moment to write them down; sending a text message to yourself should suffice. These details can quickly fade in the confusion after the crash.
5. Notify Your Insurance Company
Soon after the accident, you should call your car insurance company and report it. Don’t admit fault or volunteer more information than you have to.
You also shouldn’t rush to sign any settlement papers. An insurance company that tries to settle quickly may do so because it hopes you’ll accept a lowball settlement offer. Instead, get in touch with our experienced Independence hit-and-run attorneys and schedule a free consultation.
Missouri Laws for Hit-and-Run Incidents
Missouri law is clear: A hit-and-run is a crime. Missouri Revised Statute 577.060 states that it’s a criminal offense to leave the scene of an accident where any of the following have occurred:
- The death of a person
- Injury to a person
- Damage to property
Drivers are required to remain on the scene until police arrive, but their responsibilities don’t end there. Those involved in a crash must also exchange important information with each other, including their name, contact information, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number.
A hit-and-run incident may result in both criminal charges and civil action. These are two different processes. Because a hit-and-run is a crime, the district attorney might choose to charge the at-fault driver. If the driver is convicted, they may face fines, jail time, or both.
A criminal conviction allows the state to hold the driver accountable. However, it may not result in you recovering any money for your injuries. If you pursue civil action with the help of our skilled attorneys, you can seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
Who Pays When a Driver Flees the Scene of an Accident?
Ordinarily, the driver who was at fault for a car accident must pay for the other driver’s property damage and medical care (or more accurately, their insurance company will pay). But what if you can’t find the driver to file a claim against their insurance?
Fortunately, you still have a way to recover some of your losses. Missouri state law requires you to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. These are the minimum levels of coverage required:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
This coverage should pay for your injuries up to your policy limit if you’re hit by a driver who has no insurance, doesn’t have enough insurance, or flees the scene after the accident.
If you have optional uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage, it will pay for the damage to your vehicle or other property. Collision insurance can also cover damage to your vehicle if you don’t have uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage.
Collision insurance is not required under Missouri state law. However, if your vehicle is being financed, your lender probably requires you to have both collision and comprehensive insurance in addition to liability insurance.
Steps to Take to Find a Hit-and-Run Driver
If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident, reporting it to the police is important. In some cases, the police investigation will lead to the apprehension of the at-fault driver.
Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers is committed to the success of our clients — and that means we’re also committed to finding the driver responsible for the hit-and-run. Our Independence hit-and-run lawyers work with the police, but we’ll also conduct our own investigation into what happened.
Interviewing Witnesses
If you identified potential witnesses at the time of the crash and asked for their contact information, our team can follow up with them. Even if you were unable to, we might still be able to locate someone who saw what happened.
Our Independence hit-and-run attorneys can canvass the area of the crash to find out whether any residents or business owners may have seen anything. We may ask local business owners if we can check their surveillance footage to see if the accident was caught on camera.
Visiting the Scene of the Accident
Even if the at-fault driver fled the scene, the site of the accident could still have critical evidence. For example, if a side mirror or other part broke off the other driver’s vehicle, it may help us identify the make and model of the car involved.
Contacting the City
If your crash happened in an area with traffic cameras, we may ask the city of Independence for footage of the day in question. That footage could allow us to identify the driver or track their movements through the city.
Experienced Hit-and-Run Car Accident Lawyers in Independence, Missouri
Drivers who flee accident scenes aren’t always caught. The police might not have the resources to conduct an in-depth investigation into your crash.
When you work with Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, you can benefit from a private investigation into your accident. Even if our team is unable to locate the driver, we can help you file an uninsured motorist claim or otherwise offer advice on how to proceed.
If you’ve been hurt in a hit-and-run accident, you deserve committed legal representation. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Looking for a hit-and-run lawyer near me in Independence, Missouri? Locations in Missouri where we’ve helped car accident victims include: O’Fallon, St. Louis, Jefferson City,  Florissant, Joplin, Doniphan, Kansas City, Cape Girardeau, Kirksville, Springfield, Columbia, and more.
