Hit-and-Run Car Accident Attorneys in St. Louis

A hit-and-run accident can leave you confused and overwhelmed. Questions may flood your mind: “Who was driving the other vehicle? How will I cover these costs? How long will it take to heal from my injuries?”

Thankfully, you do not have to answer these questions on your own. If you have suffered injuries in a hit-and-run accident in St. Louis, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC are ready to provide the legal services and guidance you need to pursue compensation for your accident-related losses.

What Is Considered a Hit-and-Run Accident in St. Louis?

Missouri drivers have a legal obligation to stop and remain at the scene after an accident that causes injury or property damage. Under state law, drivers must provide other involved parties and law enforcement with their name, address, driver’s license, and registration.

If a motorist fails to stop after being involved in a crash, it is considered a hit-and-run accident. If caught, a hit-and-run driver may face both criminal and civil consequences for their actions.

Hit-and-run drivers may have several reasons for fleeing the scene of an accident. For example, if they do not have auto insurance or have outstanding warrants or unpaid tickets, they may be afraid of the consequences that could arise from an accident. In other cases, a hit-and-run driver may not even be aware they were involved in a collision, perhaps due to impairment, confusion, or inclement weather conditions. Some drivers may panic and flee simply because they are afraid.

However, in all these cases, hit-and-run drivers are still in violation of Missouri law and may face severe penalties.

Can You Still Get Compensation if the Driver Is Never Found?

When you do not know who hit you, it can be scary to imagine not being able to recover any compensation for your losses. Thankfully, there are other potential paths forward to compensate you for the harm you have endured.

After a hit-and-run accident, a source for financial support is often the uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto insurance policy. Missouri law requires all drivers to carry UM coverage. If you have suffered an injury in the accident, your insurance policy should cover the resulting expenses.

You should not rely on the insurance company to “do the right thing” in a UM claim for a hit-and-run accident. Even though it is “your” insurer processing the claim, they still want to make your claim go away for as little money as possible. That is why you need our St. Louis car accident attorneys to fight for your best interests and all of the compensation you deserve.

What Evidence Could Help Identify a Hit-and-Run Driver?

Even if you do not know the identity of the driver who hit you, you may still be able to find them if you have solid evidence. That is where a skilled legal team can immediately make a difference in your case.

The attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC can initiate an investigation into the collision. We will look for the following types of evidence to support our search for the hit-and-run driver:

Physical evidence, such as debris from the driver’s vehicle
Video evidence from traffic or dashboard cameras
Photos from bystanders or other eyewitnesses
Vehicle damage and paint transfers
The license plate number
Eyewitness testimony

Due to the unique challenges presented by hit-and-run crashes, it is essential to start searching for evidence as soon as possible after a collision. Certain evidence may deteriorate or go missing quickly after a crash, making the investigative process extremely time-sensitive.

Who Pays for Damages After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

The at-fault driver is often unknown or cannot be located after a hit-and-run accident. In such situations, victims typically turn to their own insurance coverage for compensation.

Your UM coverage can pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage when you do not know the identity of the responsible driver. Filing a UM claim can allow you to recover damages the same as if the fleeing driver had been insured.

Why You Need Legal Help with Your UM Claim After a Hit-and-Run

While you might expect your own insurance company to be on your side after a hit-and-run accident, the unfortunate fact is that the insurance adjuster is not your friend. They are trained to identify ways to reduce payouts to policyholders like you, because lower payouts mean greater profits for their employer.

In fact, speaking to your insurance company without an attorney present could be one of the riskiest things you do in the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident. Many accident victims accept initial settlement offers that do not come close to covering their expenses and losses. Worse still, accepting a lowball initial offer closes off the possibility of ever recovering the full compensation you deserve.

Instead, trust Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC to support you during the insurance claim process. We are ready to fight for full compensation and safeguard your privacy and rights throughout the process.

Our Missouri car accident attorneys can aid you throughout the claims process in a hit-and-run case by:

Investigating the accident
Preparing and filing claims with your insurer or against the other driver’s coverage
Working with officials to identify the hit-and-run driver
Negotiating with insurers to pursue full, fair compensation from your uninsured motorist coverage or from the hit-and-run driver’s liability insurance
Filing a lawsuit and taking your case to court if settlement negotiations do not yield results
Communicating with you throughout the process and helping you understand your legal rights and options

How Long Do You Have to File a Hit-and-Run Claim in Missouri?

Under Missouri law, you have five years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against a hit-and-run driver. That may seem like a long time, but it should not be treated as a reason to hold off on taking action. Reach out to our attorneys right away to start investigating the accident and preparing your claim before evidence disappears and witnesses’ memories fade.

Additionally, keep in mind that you likely have far less time to report the accident and file a UM claim with your own insurance company. Review your policy details with your car accident lawyer to ensure you file on time and protect your right to seek financial recovery.

When Should You Contact Our Hit-and-Run Attorneys in St. Louis?

If you have been hurt in a hit-and-run in St. Louis, do not wait. Contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC right away for a free case evaluation with one of our St. Louis car accident attorneys.

Our fearless, compassionate, and experienced legal team is here to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve after a hit-and-run accident. We are available 24/7 to take your call, and you will pay nothing for our legal representation unless and until we recover compensation for you.

(314) 367-2661