A hit and run takes away the thing every other crash claim starts with: a driver, a policy, and a name to put on the paperwork. What you have instead is whatever gets recorded in the hours right after it happens — the police report, what you can describe about the vehicle, the cameras that may have been pointed at that stretch of road. Those hours belong to you, and they close fast. The steps below are ordered by how quickly they need to happen rather than by how important they seem, because a few of them stop being available almost immediately and the rest can wait a day without costing you anything.
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What Should You Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Missouri?
One moment, another driver causes a crash. The next, they are gone, leaving you with vehicle damage, medical bills, missed work, and no clear way to hold them accountable.
Knowing what to do after a hit and run can protect your health and your claim. Even if the driver is never identified, you may still have options through uninsured motorist coverage or other legal avenues. A Missouri car accident attorney at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien (BWO) can help you understand your rights and take the next step.
What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident
The first priority is safety. If you can, move your vehicle out of traffic and call 911. Do not chase the fleeing driver. Pursuing another vehicle can be dangerous, and it may make the situation harder to investigate.
Next, gather as much information as possible. Write down or record anything you remember about the vehicle, including:
- Make, model, color, or body style
- Partial license plate number
- Direction of travel
- Driver description
- Damage to the other vehicle
- Time, location, and road conditions
If you can, take photos of your vehicle, the crash scene, skid marks, debris, traffic signs, and visible injuries. Ask witnesses for names and contact information. If nearby businesses, homes, or traffic cameras may have captured the crash, make a note of their locations. This evidence may help identify the driver or support your insurance claim later.
Report the Crash and Get Medical Care
After a hit-and-run, a police report is important. The responding officer can:
- Document the crash
- Collect witness information
- Begin the process of investigating the fleeing driver
A report may also be required by your insurance company before it considers a hit-and-run or uninsured motorist claim.
You should also get medical care as soon as possible. Some injuries, including concussions, whiplash, back injuries, and internal injuries, may not be obvious right away. Delaying treatment can hurt your health and give the insurance company room to argue that your injuries were not caused by the crash.
Missouri law treats leaving the scene of an accident seriously. Under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 577.060, leaving the scene can be a class A misdemeanor, but it may become a class D felony when the accident results in physical injury, property damage over $1,000, or certain prior violations. That criminal case is separate from your civil injury claim, but both may matter after a serious crash.
Can You Recover Compensation if the Driver Is Never Found?
Many people assume they have no claim if the hit-and-run driver is never located. That is not always true. In Missouri, uninsured motorist coverage may apply when the at-fault driver cannot be identified or does not have insurance.
Missouri law requires auto policies to include uninsured motorist coverage for bodily injury. The Missouri Department of Revenue states that drivers must carry uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. Missouri’s uninsured motorist statute, Section 379.203, addresses coverage for people legally entitled to recover damages from owners or operators of uninsured motor vehicles.
That coverage may help pay for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- And other losses
However, your own insurance company may still challenge the claim, question your injuries, or argue about whether another driver caused the crash.
Confused about what to do after a hit and run accident in Missouri? We are here to answer your questions.
Why Hit-and-Run Claims Can Be Complicated
Hit-and-run claims can be difficult because the most important person in the case is missing: the negligent party.
Without the other driver, fault may be disputed. The insurance company may ask whether another vehicle was truly involved, your injuries were related to the crash, or your losses are as serious as you say.
Documentation is very important. Strong claims are supported by:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Photos
- Witness statements
- Repair estimates
- Lost wage records
- Aany available video footage
If the driver is later found, you may also have a claim against that driver directly.
A Missouri hit and run car accident lawyer from BWO can help investigate the crash, communicate with insurers, review coverage, and protect you from quick settlement offers that do not reflect the full impact of your injuries.
Talk to BWO After a Hit-and-Run in Missouri
You should not have to carry the burden of a crash someone else caused and then fled. Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien has represented injured Missourians since 1984, offering personal attention, straight talk, and trusted advocacy when people need it most.
If you are unsure what to do after a hit and run, BWO can help you understand your insurance options, document your damages, and pursue the compensation available under Missouri law.
Contact us today for a free injury consultation. You do not pay attorney fees unless we recover money for you.
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