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Steps to Take After a Hit and Run Accident in Missouri
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Few things feel as jarring as being involved in a collision only to watch the other driver speed away. You are left shaken, possibly injured, and wondering who will cover the cost of the damage. In Missouri, these incidents happen far more often than most people realize. Kansas City alone sees thousands of fleeing-driver crashes each year. But knowing how to respond in the minutes and days that follow makes a significant difference in your ability to recover, both physically and financially.
Steps to Take Immediately After Being Struck by a Fleeing Driver
When someone leaves the scene, the first few minutes are critical. Your actions right after the crash can shape the entire direction of your case, so try to stay as calm as possible.
Call 911 and Secure the Scene
The very first thing you should do is call 911. This serves two purposes: obtaining medical help en route and creating an official report with law enforcement. That documentation becomes one of the most valuable pieces of evidence in your insurance claim and any future legal action.
When officers arrive, share every detail you can remember about the vehicle that fled. Color, make, model, partial license plate numbers, the direction of travel; all of this matters. If anyone nearby witnessed the collision, ask them to stay until authorities arrive or at least exchange contact information.
Should you feel tempted to chase the fleeing vehicle, resist. Pursuing another driver is dangerous and could complicate your claim later.
Gather Evidence Before It Disappears
Even without the other driver present, there is still valuable evidence to collect. Use your phone to photograph:
- Damage to your car, skid marks, and road debris
- Nearby traffic cameras or business surveillance systems
Write down your recollection of how the crash happened while the details are fresh. Note the time, weather conditions, and anything unusual about the other vehicle. Dashcam footage, if available, can prove extremely helpful for investigators.
Medical Care, Insurance Claims, and Financial Recovery
Once the scene is secure, your focus should shift to protecting your health and building the foundation for financial recovery.
Get Medical Attention Right Away
Adrenaline is a powerful thing. It can mask serious injuries for hours or even days. Internal bleeding, soft tissue damage, and concussions do not always produce immediate symptoms. Seeing a physician promptly creates a medical record connecting your injuries directly to the crash, which is essential for any claim.
Even if you feel fine in the moment, do not skip this step. Insurance adjusters often search for gaps in medical treatment to argue that your injuries are unrelated or less severe than reported. A consistent care timeline removes that argument entirely.
How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Works
Missouri law requires every auto policy to include uninsured motorist (UM) bodily injury coverage. Under Mo. Ann. Stat. § 379.203, the minimum limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This coverage exists precisely for situations in which the at-fault driver either has no insurance or cannot be identified after fleeing.
Your UM policy can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Keep in mind, though, that UM coverage in Missouri applies only to bodily injury. For vehicle repairs after a hit-and-run accident, you would need collision coverage on your policy.
Missouri Minimum Insurance Requirements
| Coverage Type | Per Person | Per Accident |
| Bodily Injury Liability | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Property Damage Liability | — | $25,000 |
| Uninsured Motorist (Bodily Injury) | $25,000 | $50,000 |
With more than 16% of Missouri drivers operating without any car insurance, UM coverage is not just a legal requirement; it is genuinely your financial safety net in a fleeing-driver situation.
Communicating with Your Insurance Provider
Notify your insurer promptly, but be careful about what you say. Insurance companies, even your own, are in the business of limiting payouts. Recorded statements can be used to reduce the value of your claim or deny it altogether.
Before giving a detailed account, consider speaking with an attorney first. A brief initial notification confirming the date, time, and basic facts is typically sufficient to preserve your rights while you build your case. Mention only that a hit and run occurred; save the specifics for when you have legal guidance.
Legal Rights When the At-Fault Driver Cannot Be Found
You might assume that if nobody identifies the person who fled, you are simply out of options. That is not true. Missouri provides several legal paths for victims, even when the responsible party disappears.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney
A qualified personal injury attorney brings resources that go beyond what law enforcement typically provides. Attorneys in this field can:
- Subpoena surveillance footage from businesses and city traffic cameras
- Hire private investigators to track down the vehicle owner
They also handle the back-and-forth with insurance carriers who may attempt to underpay or deny your UM claim. Perhaps most importantly, an attorney understands how Missouri’s five-year statute of limitations (§ 516.120 RSMo) applies and ensures you never miss key filing deadlines.
When it comes to insurance claims involving fleeing drivers, the legal complexity increases significantly. A personal injury lawyer familiar with Missouri law can identify every available source of compensation, something most individuals simply cannot do on their own.
What If the Driver Is Later Identified
If law enforcement eventually tracks down the individual who fled, you may pursue a civil lawsuit against them directly. This is separate from any criminal charges the state brings. In particularly egregious situations, such as drunk driving or extreme speeding, you could also seek punitive damages designed to punish reckless conduct.
It is worth noting that criminal prosecution and civil claims operate independently. A not-guilty verdict in criminal court does not bar you from recovering money in a civil proceeding.
Civil Claims vs. Criminal Proceedings
Many people confuse these two processes. Criminal charges, brought by the state, can result in fines, jail time, and a permanent record for the offender. Civil action, filed by you or your attorney, seeks monetary compensation for your injuries, lost income, and emotional distress. The burden of proof is lower in civil court, meaning you can win compensation even when prosecutors decide not to file charges or fail to secure a conviction.
This distinction matters because roughly 90% of fleeing-driver cases never result in criminal prosecution. But civil attorneys can still recover funds for victims through UM claims, direct lawsuits, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for hit-and-run in Missouri?
Under RSMo § 577.060, fleeing the scene is a Class A misdemeanor when property damage is minor, carrying up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. The charge rises to a Class E felony if injuries occur, the damage exceeds $1,000, or this is a repeat offense, with penalties including up to four years in prison and $10,000 in fines. Fatal collisions elevate the charge to a Class D felony. Convicted drivers also face 6 to 12 points on their license, and these convictions cannot be expunged.
What percent of hit-and-run cases are solved?
Nationwide, roughly 10% of these collisions end in successful criminal prosecution, according to law enforcement data. Fatal incidents have a somewhat higher resolution rate; the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that about 50% of at-fault drivers are eventually identified in deadly crashes. Property-damage-only cases fare worse, with up to 60% going permanently cold. Urban areas with extensive camera networks tend to produce better results than rural locations. A personal injury attorney can often uncover evidence that police overlook, improving your chances of holding someone accountable.
What do police do after a hit-and-run?
Officers begin by documenting the scene, collecting physical evidence like paint transfer and debris, and interviewing any available witnesses. They then search for surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and residential security systems. If a partial license plate or vehicle description exists, investigators run it through state databases to identify potential matches. In cases involving serious injury or death, detectives may issue public appeals for tips and coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions. The speed and depth of the investigation often depend on the severity of harm and available resources.
How much of a $100,000 settlement will I get?
In most personal injury cases handled on contingency, attorney fees range from 33% to 40% of the total recovery. On a $100,000 settlement, that means $33,000 to $40,000 goes to your legal representation. Medical liens, outstanding bills, and case-related expenses are also deducted before you receive your share. The net amount varies widely depending on your treatment costs and fee arrangement. Missouri Injury Law Firm offers free consultations where you can get a clear breakdown of expected costs before signing any agreement, so there are no surprises.
Talk to Missouri Injury Law Firm Today
If a fleeing driver left you injured and uncertain about your next move, you do not have to face this alone. Contact the Missouri Injury Law Firm for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our team will review the details of your situation, explain every available option, and work to recover the full compensation you are owed.
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