In most car wrecks, motorists exchange contact and insurance information or give their statements to authorities. However, hit and runs are not your typical auto accident. In these scenarios, one of the drivers leaves the collision site without providing any information or checking to ensure no one requires medical attention. Instead, individuals are left to deal with the aftermath of a crash, often including injuries, on their own.
If you were involved in a hit and run car accident in St. Louis, do not delay seeking legal counsel to protect your rights. Reach out to an experienced auto accident attorney to schedule a consultation.
A hit and run accident is when someone strikes either a vehicle or a pedestrian and leaves the crash scene. Common examples might include:
Unfortunately, hit and runs are relatively common in St. Louis. However, fleeing is not only incriminating but also a crime. The silver lining to this is that the at-fault driver committing this unlawful act can sometimes help those who are injured recover more compensation for their losses if they are found. In these scenarios, the person fleeing the scene could be found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor or a Class D or E felony, and subject to a third-party lawsuit to cover the injured person’s medical bills, property damage, and emotional distress.
There is typically a 50/50 chance of locating the other driver once they have left the scene. If the motorist is not found, an uninsured motorist claim will have to be filed against the injured party’s auto or home insurance. Hiring a skilled attorney in these circumstances is highly important because they can utilize their knowledge and connections to exhaust every method of locating the at-fault individual, such as obtaining surveillance videos. If they simply cannot be found, a legal professional can examine an injured person’s coverage to maximize their potential recovery amount.
Hit and run auto collisions in St. Louis have a high correlation with drunk driving. Typically, they occur when someone has had a few too many drinks and leaves the scene for fear of getting into trouble or being fined for a DUI. When someone flees, it could also be due to other circumstances, such as having active warrants out for their arrest or not having insurance.
In other scenarios, someone may leave a crash site because they assume there is no damage. This is common with mild fender benders and rear-end collisions. Even if an individual truly does not think there has been damage to the other vehicle or person, they cannot simply take off. Without performing proper due diligence, there is nothing to stop the other individual from taking their plate number and alleging that there was damage when there was not.
Auto accidents are stressful enough without the added worry of tracking down the at-fault party. You do not have to face this challenge alone. If you were involved in a hit and run car accident in St. Louis, reach out to our team for dedicated guidance. Let us handle the legal work so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
