Car accidents can leave victims financially and physically harmed—but when you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident, it adds a new layer of stress and difficulty. Hit-and-run accidents happen when a driver leaves the scene of an accident without providing contact or insurance information. This makes it harder for victims to file a claim against the driver’s insurance and can add to their financial burden.
If you’ve been hurt in a hit-and-run accident, the Southern Missouri car accident attorneys at Privette Law Office can help. Call us for a free consultation to find out how we can help track down the responsible parties, negotiate with insurance, and get the compensation you deserve.
What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Hit-and-run accidents can be as minor as a parked car collision or as devastating as a pedestrian or highway hit-and-run. Missouri law defines a hit-and-run as a crime. They occur when a driver of a vehicle:
- Is “on the highway or on any publicly or privately owned parking lot or parking facility generally open for use by the public,” and
- Knows that they caused property damage or injury, and
- Either knowingly or accidentally leaves the place of the injury, property damage, or accident without stopping, and
- Fails to give their “name, residence, including city and street number, motor vehicle number and driver’s license number” to the injured party, a police officer, or at the nearest police station or judicial officer.
Hit-and-run accidents are usually Class A misdemeanors. If there was more than $1,000 in property damage, a person was physically injured, or this was the driver’s second or subsequent hit-and-run, it is a Class E felony.
However, hit-and-run accidents can also make it difficult to track down the driver for insurance purposes. Working with a car accident attorney can help you recover compensation for injuries and property damage.
How to Find a Hit-and-Run Driver
Finding a hit-and-run driver can be challenging. However, there are a few things you can do to help find the driver:
- Gather evidence at the scene: Take photos of the damage to your vehicle. This includes any debris at the scene, skid marks, and paint transfer on your vehicle.
- Find eyewitnesses or surveillance footage: If anyone witnessed the accident, ask for their contact information and if they’d be willing to provide a statement. You can also go to local businesses near the scene and ask if they have surveillance footage. Traffic cameras and dash cams may also capture the accident.
- File a police report: Be sure to call the police to report the accident. Filing a police report alerts law enforcement that the accident occurred. They may be able to track down the driver themselves.
- Social media: Finally, you can post about your accident on social media to request assistance. For example, you could post photos of the scene, any debris, and damage to your vehicle and ask for witnesses to come forward.
What to Do if You’re the Victim of a Hit-and-Run
It’s important to take action if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident, even if your injuries and the property damage seem minor. Make sure to:
- Seek immediate medical attention: Make sure to visit an emergency room or urgent care facility as soon as possible—even if you feel fine. Some injuries don’t manifest until hours or even days later. This is also important evidence for a personal injury claim.
- Report the accident: Call the police or highway patrol and file a report. Request a copy of the official report.
- Notify your insurance company: Next, call your insurance company to let them know that there has been an accident. Do not accept any settlement offers at this time. Keep your description brief and factual.
- Contact Privette Law Office: Finally, contact the personal injury attorneys at Privette Law Office. Our firm will review your claim and explain your legal options.
What Kind of Compensation is Available for Hit-and-Run Victims?
There are several kinds of compensation available for hit-and-run victims:
- Uninsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM): Missouri requires motorists to carry uninsured motorist coverage on their insurance policy. This should cover injuries and property damage from the crash.
- Collision coverage: If you have collision coverage, this will pay for vehicle damage, regardless of fault.
- Medical payments coverage: Medical payment coverage will pay for your immediate medical expenses. However, if you suffer severe injuries, it may not be sufficient for long-term and ongoing care costs.
- Crime victim compensation programs: Missouri offers compensation through a crime victim compensation program. Your attorney and law enforcement may be able to suggest additional programs that can help in your county.
- Lawsuits: Finally, if the driver can be identified and found, you can file a lawsuit against them. Damages may include past, ongoing, and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, emotional distress, and more.
Legal Penalties for Hit-and-Run Drivers
If caught, hit-and-run drivers can face both criminal and civil liability. Criminal consequences include fines, license suspension, and jail time. Civil liability can provide financial compensation for the injured party. Victims may receive monetary compensation to make up for medical costs, property damage, pain and suffering, and other compensatory damages. In rare cases, they may also be eligible for punitive damages.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
When you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident, having a strong legal advocate on your side makes a difference. Personal injury attorneys are experienced in investigating the accident, gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies. If the driver is caught, your lawyer will file a claim against them and their insurance company.
Contact a Southern Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Navigating insurance claims and the legal system is complicated, and you deserve full compensation for your injuries. Privette Law Office is ready to seek justice for hit-and-run victims. Whether we settle out of court or take your case to trial, we’ll fight to make sure you recover damages. Call our office or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.