When a reckless driver speeds away in St. Louis, knowing what to do immediately helps protect your legal rights. Taking immediate action can help keep you safe while building a strong claim. This includes: finding a safe location and checking for injuries, reporting the accident to authorities, preserving critical evidence, tracking all relevant records in a detailed timeline, and contacting your insurance provider.
Here is your guide to navigating the aftermath of a hit-and-run in St. Louis:
Step 1: Find a safe location and check for injuries
If you were in the vehicle when the accident occurred, start by moving away from traffic to a safe location. Even if you manage to see which direction the other vehicle went in, do not try to follow the driver. Once you are in a safe location, do a full assessment of yourself and any passengers to ensure that there are no injuries. If you or your passengers need emergency assistance, call 911 immediately.
Step 2: Report the hit-and-run- to the St.Louis police
If the accident occurred within St. Louis city limits, contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. It is important to report the accident as soon as possible, even if you have limited information. An official report assists law enforcement with locating the driver and it is also one of the first things that an insurance company will ask you for.
Try to provide as much information as you can, such as the location, approximate time, direction the other vehicle traveled, vehicle description, and any witness details. Make sure you also obtain the incident or report number and request a copy of the report.
Step 3: Preserve any evidence
As soon as it is safe for you to do so, take photographs of evidence from the scene, including the damage to your vehicle debris, skid marks and nearby traffic signs. Speak to any witnesses and make note of their names and contact information.
If the incident occurred in a busy area, you can also try and request any relevant footage from local business, traffic lights and municipal cameras or dashcams. It is crucial to do this as soon as possible because some systems automatically overwrite recordings.
Step 4: Keep a detailed timeline and preserve all records
The strength of a hit-and-run claim relies heavily on documentation. Create a written timeline of any relevant details about the incident and the aftermath. This includes medical appointments, records of your treatment, vehicle repair estimates and a log of your communication with local authorities or your insurer.
Step 5: Notify your insurance company
Contact your insurer promptly and give them a detailed account of what happened, as well as the police report number. Find out what additional documentation is required from you as well as which benefits are covered by your policy. For example, if your policy includes collision coverage it may help pay for vehicle repairs subject to the policy’s terms and deductible.
Keep your own copies of documents you have submitted, as well as a record of claim numbers, adjuster contacts, and deadlines.
How uninsured motorist coverage works in hit-and-run accidents
To protect victims of hit-and-run accidents, Missouri legally requires uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on every auto policy. This is designed to compensate eligible insured people for bodily injury caused by an uninsured or qualifying hit-and-run driver.
Covered losses may include medical expenses, lost income, and other legally recoverable damages, subject to the policy’s definitions, limits, exclusions, and applicable law.
Missouri’s required minimum UM limits are generally $25,000 per injured person and $50,000 per accident. These are minimum limits, not a guarantee that every claim will be paid in full. If your losses exceed the available limits, the remaining amount may not be recoverable from your UM policy.
What happens if the hit-and-run driver is never identified?
You may still be able to make a UM claim through your own insurer. The fact that the driver was not found does not, by itself, defeat coverage under Missouri law. You will still need to provide evidence to prove that the incident occurred, that the unidentified vehicle caused the accident, that you qualify as an insured, and that you sustained compensable bodily injury.
Evidence can be especially important in cases where the other driver cannot be located. A police report, photographs, witness accounts, medical records, and video footage can help substantiate the claim. Your insurer may investigate the circumstances and apply the policy’s proof requirements.
Missouri law also recognizes that UM coverage may apply even when the fleeing vehicle did not physically strike the insured or the insured’s vehicle. However, that depends on the circumstances and policy language. For example, a policy may require additional supporting evidence when there was no physical contact.
Does uninsured motorist coverage pay for car repairs?
No. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance explains that UM coverage applies to bodily injury, not damage to your vehicle. If the hit-and-run leaves your car damaged, collision coverage may pay for repairs if you carry it and the loss meets the policy’s requirements. A deductible may apply.
Review your declarations page and policy wording rather than assuming that a UM claim covers all crash-related losses. Ask your insurer to explain which coverage applies to each category of damage.
What should you do if your insurer disputes the claim?
Ask the insurer to explain its decision in writing and identify the policy provisions or evidence supporting it. Keep copies of the denial letter, investigation correspondence, and all submitted records. You can contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance for consumer assistance or consider legal advice if the dispute involves substantial injuries, questions about unidentified-driver coverage, or a disagreement over the value of your claim.
When to talk to a hit-and-run accident lawyer
You do not have to deal with the stressful aftermath of a hit-and-run alone. While it is not legally required to hire an attorney, reaching out to one as soon as possible is highly advised. A lawyer has the expertise to help protect your rights and provide you with the necessary support.
Contact a lawyer if you sustained injuries, accumulated medical debt, lost income, or need support with how to recover damages from an unidentified motorist. An attorney can also review policy terms, track down surveillance footage, interview witnesses, and hold the at-fault party accountable if they are found.
Missouri law imposes strict time limits on personal injury claims, and early representation protects your rights and ensures all documentation is filed properly.
Take the Roach approach: How Roach Law can help you after a hit-and-run in St. Louis
If you have questions about your rights after a hit-and-run accident in St. Louis or elsewhere in Missouri, contact our attorneys. Roach Law can help you understand the issues involved and determine what steps may be appropriate for your situation.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page or contacting Roach Law does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
