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What to expect
Hit hard, then left behind — you still have options
For 25 years, The Hoffmann Law Firm has represented hit-and-run victims across St. Louis and the surrounding metro. It’s deeply frustrating to suffer serious injuries in a crash and then feel as if you have no way to recover when the at-fault driver disappears. In many cases, you do — and we can fight to protect your rights and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What to do after a hit-and-run accident
How you respond in the first minutes can make or break your case. As much as the situation allows, stay calm and take these steps:
- Write everything down. Record the date, time, and location, plus any details about the vehicle — color, make, model, and the license plate if you saw it. Even partial details help.
- Look for witnesses. If anyone saw the crash, get their name and contact information. Their account can be decisive later.
- Don’t chase the driver. You don’t know their state of mind, and pursuing them while shaken can cause a second crash. Let the police handle it.
- Call the police and file a report. File even if you have little information — the official report gives you something to rely on, and it’s often required by your insurer.
Seek medical attention promptly, even if injuries seem minor. Some — internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries among them — may not show symptoms right away but worsen if untreated. Prompt care protects your health and creates the medical record that supports your claim.
Who pays when the driver is never found?
If the at-fault driver can’t be identified, you may still recover through your own policy. In Missouri, hit-and-runs are generally covered under uninsured motorist coverage — the same protection that applies when an at-fault driver has no insurance. That means filing a claim with your own insurer, who often resists paying. You pay premiums for exactly this situation, and a St. Louis car accident attorney can help you pursue the full compensation you’re entitled to.
Common injuries from hit-and-run crashes
Because these collisions are sudden and often high-impact, injuries tend to be serious:
- Head injuries — concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries — herniated discs, spinal fractures, and in severe cases, paralysis
- Fractures and broken bones — commonly the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis
- Whiplash and neck injuries — whiplash from the sudden jolt, causing pain and reduced motion
- Internal injuries — damage to the liver, kidneys, or lungs from blunt force
- Psychological injuries — PTSD, anxiety, and depression after a traumatic crash
What Missouri law says about leaving the scene
Missouri law is clear: a driver knowingly involved in a crash that injures someone or damages property, who then flees, is guilty of leaving the scene of an accident. The offense is a class A misdemeanor — but it rises to a class E felony if someone was physically injured, property damage exceeds $1,000, or the driver has a prior conviction for the same offense. Penalties can include a suspended or revoked license and jail time.
Drivers flee for many reasons — driving without a license or insurance, driving under the influence, or fear of arrest. Federal data shows hit-and-run crashes have risen sharply in recent years, and drunk driving plays a major role in many of them. Unfortunately, more than half of hit-and-run drivers are never caught — which is exactly why your own coverage and a thorough investigation matter so much.
When an investigation makes the difference
A closed police case isn’t the end of the road
In one St. Louis case, a bicyclist was seriously hurt by a driver who fled. Despite witnesses and a description of the car, police closed the case. The injured rider retained a car accident lawyer willing to investigate further; the driver was identified, and with witness testimony the matter reached a $50,000 settlement. In another, a Missouri woman struck by a hit-and-run driver had to rely on her own coverage after the driver was never found. Her insurer valued the claim at $500,000, but her attorney pursued the full extent of her head and orthopedic injuries — and recovered $1.75 million.
Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different and depends on its own facts.
Why The Hoffmann Law Firm
An investigation-driven firm, working your case directly
Hit-and-run claims often come down to investigation — identifying the driver, gathering witness accounts and footage, and pushing your own insurer to honor your coverage. At The Hoffmann Law Firm, you work directly with Attorney Christopher Hoffmann, not a case manager. For 25 years, this firm has focused on car accident injury cases in St. Louis, and that focus is what lets us dig deeper when others close the file.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about hit-and-run accidents
What should I do immediately after a hit-and-run accident in St. Louis?
Stay calm and collect as much information as possible about the vehicle and driver — color, make, model, and license plate if you can. Note the time and location, look for witnesses, call the police, and file a report using your recorded details. Avoid chasing the driver, and contact a hit-and-run accident lawyer.
What legal consequences does a hit-and-run driver face in Missouri?
Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense in Missouri, with penalties that can include a suspended or revoked license and jail time. It’s a class A misdemeanor, or a class E felony if physical injury occurred, property damage exceeds $1,000, or the driver has a prior hit-and-run conviction.
Can I receive compensation if the hit-and-run driver isn’t identified?
Yes. Missouri drivers are generally covered by uninsured motorist policies, which often include hit-and-run crashes. If the driver isn’t identified, you can still file a claim with your own insurer — though they may resist paying, which is why having a lawyer advocate for you matters.
What kind of damages can I recover from a hit-and-run accident?
Victims in St. Louis may recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. What’s available depends on the facts of your case and your coverage.
How can a hit-and-run lawyer help with my case?
A lawyer can investigate to identify the responsible driver, gather evidence like witness testimony and surveillance footage, negotiate with insurers for fair compensation, and represent you in court if needed.
What information should I collect if I’m involved in a hit-and-run accident?
Try to collect the vehicle’s color, make, model, and license plate number; the time and location of the crash; the contact information of any eyewitnesses; and photos of the scene and damage.
Is leaving the scene of an accident always considered a hit-and-run?
In Missouri, it’s treated as a hit-and-run when the driver knowingly caused injury or property damage and then fled without providing the required information or assistance.
Why do drivers flee the scene after an accident?
Common reasons include drunk driving, driving without a license or insurance, driving under the influence of drugs, and fear of arrest.
How long do I have to file a claim after a hit-and-run accident in Missouri?
Missouri’s statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is typically five years from the date of the accident. Even so, it’s best to act quickly so evidence stays fresh and the driver has the best chance of being identified.
What if my insurance company won’t pay my hit-and-run claim?
If your insurer refuses to cover your claim or offers too little, a hit-and-run lawyer can negotiate on your behalf or take the case to court to pursue the compensation you’re owed.
Every case is different; results depend on the facts.
Related
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