Reaching out to an experienced Missouri car accident attorney can help you handle your hit and run case and fight for the compensation you deserve, even if the other driver is unidentified. Contact the legal team at Brown & Crouppen for your free legal consultation. Call (800) 536-4357 or contact us today.
Legal Options if the At-Fault Driver Flees the Scene
Drivers are legally required to stay at the scene of a car accident until law enforcement arrives. However, it’s important to understand your legal options if the at-fault driver flees the scene of your car accident.
If the at-fault driver is identified after leaving the scene of the crash, you can file a claim for the damages you suffered with their insurance company. Filing a claim begins the negotiation process for you to receive the compensation you’re entitled to. If negotiations break down before reaching a fair settlement, you can begin litigation against the insurer to get them to pay your damages.
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or is never found, you can file a claim for reimbursement with your own car insurance. In Missouri, all drivers are legally required to carry car insurance, including uninsured motorist coverage that applies to hit and runs.
In either case, hiring an experienced car accident attorney is in your best interest. Insurance companies will always have lawyers of their own, so having your own attorney helps protect your legal rights throughout the process.
No matter what legal option you choose to pursue after a hit and run, Brown & Crouppen is here for you. We can work through the legal process with you from beginning to end to fight for the justice you deserve.
If Someone Leaves the Scene of an Accident, Are They Automatically at Fault?
Being criminally liable for a hit and run charge doesn’t automatically mean a driver is at fault for an accident.
The law requires drivers to stay at the scene of a car accident, exchange contact and insurance information, and cooperate with police. Leaving the scene of an accident as an involved driver is illegal and can result in criminal consequences, especially if someone was injured or killed in the crash.
However, fault in a car accident is determined differently depending on the facts of the case. Leaving the scene doesn’t mean the driver who fled was driving negligently or recklessly in a manner that caused the accident. Liability for the accident itself must still be determined through examination of all available evidence.
What To Do When the At-Fault Driver Leaves the Scene
After any car accident, it’s important to make sure you’re safe and then fulfill your legal obligations as a driver involved in a crash. The recommended steps to take after an accident still apply if the at-fault driver has left the scene of the crash.
1. Ensuring Your Safety and Seeking Medical Care
Check that you and others are safe before doing anything else. Move your vehicle to the side of the road if possible. Call 911 to let emergency medical services know about the accident.
2. Documenting the Scene and Gathering Evidence
Taking photos and videos of the site of the accident provides valuable evidence for later negotiations. Collecting contact information for eyewitnesses can also help you build your case with their testimony later on.
3. Contacting Law Enforcement and Filing a Report
After a car accident, call the police and cooperate with their investigation. If anyone has been injured or killed, if property damage exceeds $500, or if the other driver is uninsured, you are legally required to file a police report in Missouri.
4. Maintaining Doctor's Appointments After Your Accident
Get a medical checkup after an accident to make sure you have no invisible injuries such as minor fractures or internal bleeding. If you’ve been injured, keep up with all medical appointments to show you’re serious about recovery.
5. Contacting an Attorney and Dealing With Insurance
Reach out to a Missouri hit and run attorney to help you with the negotiation process and secure the compensation you deserve. Remember, initial settlement offers are often lower than you’re fairly entitled to, and insurers may pressure you to accept them to resolve your case quickly. Consult an attorney before accepting.
Can I Still File a Car Accident Claim if the Driver Is Never Identified?
You can still file a car accident claim if the driver responsible for your accident is never identified by law enforcement. Rather than filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance, you can file a claim with your own car insurance and receive compensation based on the policy coverage you carry.
Missouri law requires drivers to carry the following minimum insurance coverage levels:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury.
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury.
- $25,000 per accident for property damage.
In the event of a hit and run accident, your compensation will come from your uninsured motorist policy. Missouri requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident in uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist insurance protects you not only in the event that the responsible driver does not have insurance but also when the responsible driver cannot be identified.
Reach Out to a Missouri Hit and Run Attorney for Your Free Legal Consultation
Knowing what to do if someone hits your car and drives off is crucial to protecting your rights after a hit and run car accident. An experienced car accident attorney can help you seek the compensation you deserve, even in the event that the other driver is unidentified or uninsured.
The hit and run attorneys at Brown & Crouppen have the experience to manage every step of the legal process, from gathering evidence for your case to negotiation and litigation if necessary. Our St. Louis car accident lawyers have won over $1 billion in compensation for clients over our more than 40 years of legal experience. Call (800) 536-4357 or contact us online today for your free legal consultation.
