According to 2021 statistics, more than one hit-and-run accident happens every minute on U.S. roads. This is frightening to think about, but it becomes even worse if it happens to you.
In 2024, hit-and-runs affect 2% of all licensed drivers in the U.S. New Mexico, South Carolina, Nevada, Louisiana, and Florida have the highest rates of fatal hit-and-runs.
While Missouri is not in the top five states with high hit-and-run rates, it is also not on the list of lowest per capita rates. As with all other states, leaving an accident scene is a criminal offense in Missouri.
Therefore, the state’s hit-and-run laws are designed to protect victims and hold those responsible accountable.
What Constitutes a Hit-and-Run?
A hit-and-run usually refers to one driver crashing into another car, damaging it, and then driving away. This happens all the time in parking lots across America. Unfortunately, hit-and-runs often cause death when accidents happen on the road.
In this instance, when a driver who caused the accident flees the scene, it is also referred to as a hit-at-run. In 2020, when everything was mostly on lockdown due to the pandemic, 2,564 people died in hit-and-run accidents throughout the U.S. That figure was up 26% from the previous year.
More than 1,500 pedestrians and 202 cyclists also died in 2020 after being hit by a car. Those drivers sped away as well.
Whenever a driver fails to stop after causing an accident on the road, it is called a hit-and-run. All states require drivers to stop and provide their information to the other driver involved in the accident. If the other driver has passed away because of the accident, the driver who caused the accident must report to the nearest police station.
This process also applies when an accident causes injury or property damage.
Legal Penalties for Hit-and-Run Offenses
If a hit-and-run driver is caught in Missouri, they will receive 6 to 12 points on their driving record. In most cases, 6 points are issued by a county police officer and 12 points by a State Highway Patrol officer.
Hit-and-runs are considered criminal offenses, so 12 points is a suitable penalty. It is the highest number of points receivable for a driving offense. Moreover, the driver will also get their license suspended for a year if they get 12 points. A hit-and-run offense also stays on the at-fault driver’s record and can never be removed.
It is also possible that a hit-and-run driver can be charged with a class A misdemeanor. This typically results in a one-year jail sentence and a $1,000 fine.
Depending on the severity of the hit-and-run, the legal consequences could be a Class E felony with a $5,000 fine and up to four years of jail time. Drivers are charged with Class E felonies when hit-and-run property damage exceeds $1,000.
Class E felony charges are also appropriate when a hit-and-run causes injury to the other party or if it is the at-fault driver’s second offense.
If a hit-and-run results in death in Missouri, the driver is guilty of a Class D felony. In this state, it means potential imprisonment of seven years or one year in a county jail. The accompanying fine can also be as high as $10,000.
Insurance and Compensation for Victims
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, your uninsured motorist coverage can cover some of the damages and medical bills. Minimum required UM coverage in Missouri includes:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
Under this provision, you will file a claim with your insurance company. Remember that your insurer will likely try to minimize your claim. You should consult a lawyer to assist you with your claim.
Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run
If you are involved in a hit-and-run, you should take the following steps:
- If you are injured (or anyone else is injured), call emergency services.
- While waiting for them to arrive, take photos and videos of the scene. The footage should include vehicle damage, injuries, and road conditions.
- If you are not too severely injured, try to get witness statements from bystanders. You can also get their contact details and ask them for the statements later.
- When you have been checked out by the first responders and gone to the emergency room if needed, you must also inform the police of the accident (if you have not already done so).
- When you are back home, you must contact your insurance company and file a claim (uninsured motorist coverage).
- You should also get a lawyer to assist you throughout the legal process.
How Missouri Laws Protect Victims
Missouri’s legal framework supports victims and, at the same time, deters drivers from fleeing accidents.
The state’s mandatory UM coverage ensures you are not without financial assistance after a hit-and-run accident. If the driver is eventually identified, you will also have an opportunity to file a civil case against them.
This is usually appropriate when your UM coverage is insufficient for all your damages and expenses.
Police in Missouri (and the U.S.) can use surveillance and witness accounts to track down fleeing drivers. Success in using these methods helps deter reckless drivers from speeding away from an accident scene.
Why Hit-and-Run Laws Matter
Hit-and-run accidents ruin lives and devastate families every day. The drivers that speed away from a severe accident scene leave behind a catastrophic situation for everyone, including themselves. With technology advancing at a rapid speed, police, more often than not, find hit-and-run drivers, and then they have to face the consequences of their actions.
Missouri’s hit-and-run laws are designed to hold these drivers accountable. They also provide critical avenues for victims to recover physically, financially, and emotionally. These laws aim to encourage responsible driving behavior across the state.
While it will not have the same effect on all reckless drivers, if even one life is saved because of it, these laws are worth it. Missouri is committed to enforcing its hit-and-run laws to ensure victims are never left out regarding compensation.
All in all, these laws continue to make Missouri’s roads safer for everyone.
