Getting into a car accident is traumatic enough. When the driver who hit you speeds off and leaves you there to deal with the aftermath, though, you can be facing a whole new level of stress and uncertainty.
You may be dealing with injuries, medical bills, and lost time at work, yet you don’t know how to obtain compensation for those losses with no driver to file a claim against.
That’s where our top rated Missouri hit and run lawyers come in. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we know this isn’t just another personal injury case — it’s your life. We’ve helped people across Missouri pick up the pieces after a hit and run crash, and we know how to effectively fight for what you’re owed. Regardless of whether the driver was caught, you still have rights.
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Injured in a hit and run accident in Missouri? Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers will fight to find the driver who fled the scene and get you maximum compensation. Call (314) 207-9996Â today!
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Hit and run cases are different from typical car accidents. They often leave victims feeling like they’ve hit a dead end, and the investigative phase may be more extensive. But with the right legal help, you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.
Our team focuses only on car accidents, which means we are well-acquainted with every angle these cases can involve. We know how insurance companies think and the tactics they use to reduce and deny valid claims.
When you hire our hit and run accident attorneys in Missouri, you can rest assured that you’ll have a fiercely dedicated team in your corner fighting for your best interests.
How Our Hit and Run Accident Lawyers in Missouri Can Help
After a hit and run crash, most people are left feeling overwhelmed. On top of the physical pain and emotional stress, you may be dealing with many unanswered questions. How are your hospital bills going to get paid, and what if they never find the person who hit you? Can you even file a claim?
Our job at Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers is to make this process easier. We can take care of these complexities while you focus on healing. Here are some of the key ways we can assist you:
Investigate Your Case
We don’t just rely on police reports. Evidence can be found in a lot of places if you know where to look, so we dig deeper, ensuring no stone is left unturned. We look for security footage, talk to witnesses, and track down every detail that could help identify the driver who caused the accident.
Handle Insurance Companies
If you go to the insurance company alone, you can expect lowball offers and a lot of red tape. They might pressure you to settle quickly before you can realize the full value of your case.
We won’t let them take advantage of you, as our team fights to get you the full compensation you’re owed — even if the other driver is never found.
Navigate Uninsured Motorist Claims
Missouri law requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage. In cases where the hit and run driver isn’t found, that’s the coverage we may leverage to get you paid.
Many people worry that filing a claim under their own uninsured motorist coverage will raise their premiums. In most cases, though, it won’t. You didn’t cause the accident, and Missouri law protects you from rate hikes just for using a benefit you’ve already paid for. We’ll make sure your Missouri uninsured motorist claim is handled fairly at every step.
Keep You Informed
You’ll never be left to wonder what’s going on with your case when you hire us. We stay in constant communication with our clients through every part of the process, and we talk like real people, not legal robots. Our team is also always available to answer any questions you might have.
Work on Contingency
Some people try to handle their cases themselves because they’re concerned they won’t be able to afford legal help from a Missouri hit and run attorney. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t have to deal with any upfront costs, and you won’t owe us a dime if we lose your case.
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If you were hit by a driver who fled the scene in Missouri, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Call Beck & Beck Car Missouri Accident Lawyers at 314.207.9996.
Your consultation with us is free, and if you decide to move forward in working with us, you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Contact us to take the first step in seeking the justice you deserve today.
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Representing Victims of Hit and Run Car Accidents
The circumstances around each hit and run accident differ. Some happen at busy intersections, while others occur on quiet backroads. Many involve a car hitting another car, but some incidents include pedestrians, bicycles, and even motorcycles and trucks. No matter how it happened, getting hit and left behind is frightening and unfair.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we’ve worked with people from all walks of life who’ve been hit by careless drivers. Whether you were on foot, biking, or driving, we can help you build a case that’ll hold someone accountable even if they haven’t been found yet.
At our firm, we handle cases involving:
- Pedestrians struck while crossing the street or walking along the shoulder
- Bike riders hit and knocked off the road
- Motorcyclists hurt by reckless or distracted car drivers
- Truck crashes with drivers who run because of fear of liability
- Multi-vehicle accidents where one party runs and tries to escape blame
These cases can get complicated, but we know how to cut through the noise. We’ll look at every option and build a personalized strategy that fits your situation.
If you’re not sure whether you have a viable case, that’s why we offer free consultations. We can listen to your story, go over your options with you, and explain what can be done about your situation. These consultations come with no obligations — just real answers from a Missouri hit and run lawyer you can trust.
Hit and Run Laws in the State of Missouri
In Missouri, hit and run drivers can face serious consequences, especially if someone got hurt or lost their life in the crash. Under RSMo Section § 577.060, it’s a crime to leave the scene of an accident if you knew or should have known that it caused injury, death, or property damage.
The severity of the charge depends on the damage that was done. Generally, the charges can be broken down into the following:
- If there’s only property damage, it’s usually a Class A misdemeanor, which can mean up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000
- If someone gets hurt or killed, it becomes a Class E felony or worse, and that carries potential prison time and much heavier penalties
It’s important to remember that the criminal case is separate from your case. A conviction doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be compensated, and it doesn’t cover your medical bills, lost paychecks, or pain.
An attorney from Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers can help you file a civil claim, whether the driver is ever caught or not. The criminal system handles the punishment, while we focus on getting you paid so that you can cover your financial losses.
It’s frustrating when someone breaks the law and seems to get away with it. While we don’t guarantee that the driver who hit you will be found, we do work to make sure that you’re not the one left to pay the price if they disappear.
Reasons for Hit and Run Car Accidents
It can be tough to understand why someone would cause a crash and leave the scene, but it happens more often than most people realize, and the reasons why vary greatly.
No Insurance
Perhaps the most common reason that people run from the scene of an accident is because they don’t have the right insurance or any insurance at all. They may worry about the penalties they might incur, so they choose to run instead of facing the consequences.
Drugs or Alcohol Use
Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs tend to panic because they know they could face DUI charges. Their impairment means they could be looking at more jail time and higher fines, and they could even lose their license.
Warrants or License Issues
Some people leave a scene because they’re already in legal trouble. They might have warrants out for their arrest or are driving without a valid license. These drivers know a car accident will make their situation worse by drawing attention to them, and they don’t want that attention when they’re already trying to stay under the radar.
Stolen Vehicles
Sometimes, an accident is caused by someone who’s just stolen a vehicle, and the adrenaline makes it easier to make mistakes behind the wheel. Drivers in stolen vehicle accidents don’t want to be identified because they shouldn’t have had that car in the first place.
Fear
Often, a driver simply makes a bad split-second decision. They’re not in legal trouble, and they haven’t done anything wrong otherwise. They’re just scared of the situation itself. They panic, drive off, and regret it later — but the damage is already done.
The Driver’s Mindset Matters
No excuse justifies leaving someone hurt on the side of the road after causing a crash. However, knowing why it happens helps explain why so many of these drivers don’t stop.
That’s also why it’s so important to talk to our experienced Missouri hit and run attorneys as soon as you can after an accident. Even when it feels like the other driver has vanished into thin air, there are still ways to investigate, build your case, and go after compensation through your own insurance and other options.
Are There Ways to Find the Driver Who Fled the Scene?
Most drivers don’t get away as cleanly as they think. Wreckage at the scene, like broken headlights, scratched paint, and tire marks, can all be pieced together to figure out what kind of vehicle was involved.
Security footage from traffic lights, local businesses, and doorbell cameras can also offer a clearer picture of what happened and where the driver may have gone.
Even if no one saw the full situation, someone might have caught an important detail, such as a car color, the first few digits of a license plate, or the direction that the other vehicle turned. These small pieces all add up to form a trail.
We Know Where to Look
Our team has tracked down leads through body shops, insurance reports, and posts on social media. When drivers try to hide damage, it can actually bring more attention than they expected. We know how to follow up on this information, both quietly and effectively.
However, some hit and run still manage to evade identification. This doesn’t mean you have no options, though. Missouri’s requirement for uninsured motorist coverage can help cover your medical bills and other financial losses. Our team can walk you through that process and handle the paperwork so that you’re not left to navigate it by yourself.
What Damages Can I Recover?
Under Missouri law, our O’Fallon bicycle accident attorneys can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses on your behalf.
Economic Losses
Economic losses cover the monetary impacts of your injuries. They include the medical bills you paid or may incur in the future due to your accident.
These losses also involve the wages you were not able to earn in the past due to your recovery, as well as the income you might not earn in the future because of long-term or permanent disabilities. We prove your economic losses using financial records like receipts, credit card statements, and medical bills.
Non-Economic Losses
Non-economic losses refer to the intangible effects of your injuries on your quality of life. After you get injured, you may experience pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress. You might not be able to participate in the same activities or hobbies afterward. Worse yet, your injuries might result in the loss of a body part or disfiguring scars.
We demonstrate these non-economic losses to an insurer or court by using your medical records and your testimony explaining how your injuries affected you.
Knowledgeable Hit and Run Accident Lawyers in Missouri
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we only handle car crash cases. We’re not a general practice firm juggling different areas of law. That means we understand the unique challenges crashes like hit and runs can bring, and we know how to handle them from start to finish.
If you’ve been hit by a driver who fled the scene, you’re likely dealing with hefty medical bills, missed work, and a lot of uncertainty. A Missouri hit and run attorney from our team can help take that burden off your shoulders. We can help you understand your rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue every option available to get you compensated.
We know how Missouri courts and insurers operate, and most importantly, we know how to build a case that gets results. Our team takes pride in being responsive, straightforward, and authentic with the people we help. We are committed to offering clear guidance and effective legal support every step of the way.
Locations in Missouri which our legal team help victims of hit and run accidents include St. Louis, Florissant, O’Fallon, Springfield, Kirksville, Columbia, and more.
