Been in a hit-and-run in St. Louis? Talk to a St. Louis car accident lawyer at (314) 361-4242.
Being hit by a driver who then leaves the scene adds a layer of stress that an ordinary car accident doesn’t have. Beyond the injury and vehicle damage, there’s often no one to immediately hold responsible, and it isn’t always clear where to turn next. Knowing the right steps to take and how a claim can move forward even without an identified driver often makes a real difference.
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What Counts as a Hit-and-Run in Missouri
A hit-and-run generally happens when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without stopping to exchange information, render aid, or report the accident. Missouri law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop and provide their information, and leaving the scene can carry criminal consequences in addition to any civil liability. This applies whether the crash involved another vehicle, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or only property damage.
Reporting the Accident
Missouri law generally requires you to report an accident involving injury, death, or a certain amount of property damage to the police. A police report creates an official record of what happened and is often one of the first things an insurance company asks for. Reporting promptly also gives law enforcement the best chance of identifying the driver while evidence is still fresh.
How a Claim Works When the Driver Isn’t Identified
One of the biggest concerns after a hit-and-run is what happens if police never find the other driver. This is where uninsured motorist coverage often becomes central to the claim. Most Missouri auto policies include uninsured motorist coverage, and an unidentified hit-and-run driver is typically treated the same as an uninsured driver for purposes of that coverage. This means a claim may still move forward through your own insurance policy even without knowing who caused the crash.
If the driver is later identified, whether through witness information, camera footage, or a police investigation, the claim may shift to be handled against that driver’s insurance instead.
Comparative Fault Still Applies
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule, which means fault can be divided among more than one party even in a hit-and-run case. If there’s a dispute about how the accident happened, evidence such as witness statements, camera footage, and physical damage to the vehicles often plays a significant role in determining how fault is divided and how much compensation you may recover.
What to Do in the Days After
- Follow up with medical care and keep records of every visit and treatment, since some injuries aren’t obvious right away.
- Keep your vehicle available for inspection until the insurance and any police investigation are complete.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with a lawyer.
- Check in with the police department periodically about the investigation’s status.
Why Work With The Hoffmann Law Firm
Hit-and-run claims often depend on piecing together limited evidence and navigating uninsured motorist coverage, which can involve its own disputes with an insurance company. The Hoffmann Law Firm has served St. Louis since 1998, and clients work directly with Attorney Christopher Hoffmann rather than being passed between staff. Talk to a St. Louis hit-and-run accident lawyer at (314) 361-4242.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A claim may still move forward through your own uninsured motorist coverage, since an unidentified hit-and-run driver is generally treated the same as an uninsured driver under Missouri policies.
Often, yes. Some injuries take time to appear, and a police report creates an important record while details are still fresh.
Even partial information can sometimes help investigators identify a vehicle, especially when combined with witness accounts or nearby camera footage.
Deadlines depend on the specifics of the case, so it’s best to have the facts reviewed as soon as possible rather than assume a general timeline applies.