Being hit by a driver who speeds away can be infuriating, leaving you with injuries and mounting medical bills. Learning what to do after a hit-and-run accident in Missouri helps you protect your health, your safety, and your right to fair compensation.
At DM Injury Law, we stand with injured people across the Kansas City area, including Blue Springs, Independence, Lee's Summit, and Grain Valley. We know how frightening it feels when someone hurts you and then disappears, and we are here to listen and help you take the next step.
Call 816-705-3500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.
Key Takeaways about What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident
- Missouri law requires every driver to stop and share information after a crash, and leaving the scene is a criminal offense.
- A hit and run should be reported to police right away, because a prompt report creates an official record for any later claim.
- Missouri requires uninsured motorist coverage, which can pay for injuries caused by a driver who is never identified.
- Injured people generally have five years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Missouri.
- Photos, witness names, and nearby camera locations often become the strongest evidence in a hit and run claim.
What Should You Do First After a Hit and Run in Missouri?
Your first steps after a hit and run in Missouri are to stay safe, call for help, and write down every detail you can recall. The minutes right after a crash shape both your recovery and your claim, so steady action matters.
If you are able, follow these hit-and-run steps as soon as the crash happens:
- Check for Injuries: Look yourself and any passengers over for pain or bleeding, and avoid moving anyone who seems seriously hurt.
- Call 911: Report the crash and request medical care, even for injuries that feel minor at first.
- Record What You Saw: Note the fleeing car's color, make, direction of travel, and any part of the plate you caught.
- Photograph Everything: Capture your damage, the road, nearby signs, and the spot where the other car hit you.
- Ask Around for Witnesses: Get names and numbers from anyone who saw the crash, and note any homes or businesses with cameras.
The more of this information you can gather, the easier it becomes for police and our team to track down the driver who left the scene.
Reporting a Hit and Run to Missouri Police
A police report is one of the most important pieces of a hit-and-run claim, so report the crash as soon as you safely can. Depending on where the crash happened, you can call your local police department or the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Missouri takes these cases seriously. Under state law, leaving the scene of an accident is a crime that can bring misdemeanor or felony charges. When you report the hit-and-run promptly, you create an official record of the date, location, and details that insurers and courts rely on later.
Keep a copy of the report number, so you can reference it when you file a claim. If your injuries kept you from reporting at the scene, contact the police station as soon as you are able.
Does Missouri Insurance Cover a Hit and Run?
Yes. Missouri requires uninsured motorist coverage on every auto policy, and this coverage often applies when an unidentified driver causes your injuries. That means you may still recover money, even if the other driver is never found.
Under Missouri law, uninsured motorist coverage protects you from drivers who flee or carry no insurance. In plain terms, your UM policy covers you when the at-fault driver isn't found, and it can help pay for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
To file a claim for an unidentified driver in Missouri, you turn to your own insurer, and that process can feel confusing. Insurance companies do not always make it easy, so having someone in your corner helps. You also have limited time to act, since Missouri generally gives injured people five years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit.
How Our Blue Springs Team Helps After a Hit and Run
When a driver disappears, you should not have to fight for answers alone. Our team investigates hit and run crashes, works alongside police, and pushes your insurer for the full value of your claim.
DM Injury Law brings real resources to every case. We have recovered more than $1 billion for injured people, and our roughly 70 attorneys and 250 support staff handle everything from car accident cases in Blue Springs to serious injury claims across the Midwest.
You pay nothing up front to work with us. We take these cases on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no fee unless we win. From the first call, we listen, explain your options in plain language, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
FAQs for What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Missouri
Here are answers to common questions we hear from people hurt in hit-and-run crashes across Missouri.
What happens if the police never find the driver?
Even if the driver is never identified, you may still have a path to compensation. Your uninsured motorist coverage is built for exactly this situation, and it can help cover your medical bills and other losses.
How long do I have to file a claim after a hit and run in Missouri?
For most injury claims, Missouri gives you five years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Insurance claims often carry much shorter notice deadlines, so it is wise to act quickly.
Should I still see a doctor if I feel fine?
Yes, because some injuries take days to show symptoms. A prompt medical visit protects your health, and it connects your injuries to the crash in your records.
Will my rates go up if I use uninsured motorist coverage?
Using UM coverage after a hit-and-run should not count as an at-fault claim, since the crash was not your fault. Every policy is different, so review your terms or ask us to look them over.
Do I need a lawyer for a hit-and-run claim?
You are not required to hire a lawyer, but these claims can get complicated fast. Having someone handle the investigation and the insurer lets you focus on healing.
Talk to Our Blue Springs Hit and Run Team Today
You do not have to face a hit and run alone, and the sooner you reach out, the sooner we can protect your claim. Our battle-tested team is ready to investigate, deal with the insurance company, and fight for your maximum compensation.
If you were hurt by a driver who fled in Blue Springs, Independence, Lee's Summit, or Grain Valley, our Blue Springs hit and run lawyers are ready to help. Call DM Injury Law at 816-705-3500 for your free case evaluation. We are available 24/7, and we don't get paid unless we win.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
