Hit and Run Accident Attorneys Maryland Heights, MO

Hit and Run Accident Attorneys in Maryland Heights, MO. How do you hold a driver to blame and collect the best possible compensation for your damages when you have been harmed in a hit and run accident? Call the Maryland Heights, MO hit and run accident attorneys of Burger Law now at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online so that we can begin fighting for you and securing for you a great recovery for your Maryland Heights, MO hit and run accident.

When a careless driver knowingly breaks the rules of the road and harms you or a loved one, it is typical to feel appalled and furious. It is especially unnerving when the negligent party will not take responsibility for their behavior and leaves the scene of the in a hit and run accident. You may be wondering who is going to reimburse you for the damages to your property and you or your family member's injuries. The devoted, veteran and knowledgeable Maryland Heights, MO hit and run accident attorneys at Burger Law know how to hold dangerous and knowingly irresponsible driver’s accountable. We will help you grasp the situation and will fight by your side to maximize your compensation and get you on the journey to healing. Call us immediately at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.

In the United States in 2016, 2049 people died in hit and run accidents, which was a 62 percent increase from 2009. Of the fatalities, about 65 percent of them were pedestrians or bicyclists, and approximately 20 percent of pedestrian deaths occur in hit and run accidents. A hit and run accident transpires every 43 seconds in the United States. Any injury caused by a car accident can be traumatizing and produce life-long repercussions or, in the worst cases, wrongful death. However, hit and run cases magnify that trauma as you may not find medical treatment immediately, and you may be unsure of who to trust or how to secure just compensation for your injuries and damages. Our team of accomplished and knowledgeable hit and run accident attorneys at Burger Law have helped individuals and families injured in hit and run accidents in the Maryland Heights, MO area get the best possible recoveries and understand how to maximize your compensation. When you call us at (314) 500-HURT, we start working on your case right away, and we do not collect any payment until we win your suit.

If you have been hurt in a hit and run accident, use our personal injury calculator to see how much you may be able to receive in compensation.

Hit and Run Accident Attorneys: Understanding the Laws in Maryland Heights, MO

If a driver drives recklessly and harms you in a hit and run accident, they are not only liable for your injuries, they are a lawbreaker. In Missouri, leaving the scene of an accident is against the law. When a motorist causes or is involved in an accident, the law dictates that they must:

• Stay at the crash site
• Move their car if it dangerous to other drivers, otherwise, wait until instructed by police
• Attend to anyone who is hurt
• Call the Maryland Heights, MO police
• Use flares, reflectors, or flashlights if the accident happened at night or in bad weather
• Exchange contact info and insurance information with other people involved
• Remain at the crash site until a police officer tells them differently

Furthermore, an accident report needs to be filed if damages exceed $500 or the accident leads to injury or a fatality.

Missouri Statute 577.060 classifies “leaving the scene of an accident" as a Class A Misdemeanor, which is the most serious misdemeanor offense and carries a maximum penalty of one year in a local jail and a fine of $2,000. However, leaving the scene becomes a Class E Felony if any of the three conditions below are met:

1. Physical injury was caused by another party;
2. Over $1,000 in damages was caused to another party’s property; or
3. The defendant has previously left the scene of a hit and run accident.

A hit and run becomes a Class D Felony if the crash becomes fatal and results in somebody’s death. While it is reassuring that we have laws deterring hit and runs, a criminal conviction for the at-fault driver will not get you the compensation you are entitled to. They may be found responsible before the Maryland Heights, MO criminal court, but you need accomplished and devoted hit and run accident attorneys like the ones at Burger Law who will demand that you get the full recovery you need to recover. When you hire us, we start working on your case right away and do not give up. We do not charge any fees until we win your case and we will represent you aggressively to make certain the negligent party accepts complete responsibility for their thoughtless actions.

Dos and Do Nots After Being in a Hit and Run Accident

While being in any crash is scary and can leave you feeling helpless, it can be especially worrisome if the responsible individual does not respect the rules and leaves the accident site. The rules were enacted for a reason, and it is discouraging and frightening when someone disregards those rules and drives carelessly and dangerously. The dedicated and talented Maryland Heights, MO hit and run accident attorneys at Burger Law hold thoughtless drivers responsible and get you the compensation you are entitled to. It is important to know what to do and what not to do directly following your accident, so you can increase your odds of getting the best possible compensation:

• DO NOT flee the accident site yourself. You may think the damages are too insignificant to want to deal with the inconvenience, or you may be nervous that you are in some measure at fault. Leaving the location of an accident will make it much harder for you to collect compensation for your damages, and, more importantly, it is against the law.
• DO get medical care. Your primary worry should be your health and safety and the health and safety of anyone else in your car or involved in the accident. If you or somebody else is injured, try to keep them in a stable condition and wait for Maryland Heights, MO emergency services to get there and render aid.
• DO NOT hesitate to call the police. Missouri law dictates that you have to call the police in any crash that causes over $500 worth of damages or leads to physical harm or death. Even if you are not certain what the degree of the damages or injuries are immediately, having a police report will help immeasurably in making your case.
• DO NOT go after the driver. When you are hit by another vehicle in a hit and run accident, anger and outrage are common reactions. You may be motivated to follow the driver and find out who caused your accident. That is Maryland Heights, MO law enforcement’s responsibility. Chasing after the other person not only puts yourself, other drivers, passengers and pedestrians at increased risk, but it will hold you back from being able to get important information and may even make the police suspicious of you.
• DO safely find out what you are able to about the negligent driver and vehicle. To do so, you can:
  • Take pictures. If you are not seriously injured and can take out your phone before the car vanishes from sight, take as many pictures as you are able to. Even if you cannot get an entire license plate number, a partial license plate and/or the make, model and color of the car will be a great help in determining who the driver was. It is also useful to take photos of any tire marks or other damage at the scene of the accident.
  • Speak to witnesses. Other people at the crash site may have been able to see more than you did, or will be able to verify your version of events. Be sure to get their contact information so a claims adjuster, police officer or Maryland Heights, MO hit and run accident lawyer will be able to reach out to them later.
  • Write down everything you can. If you did not have time or the ability to take photos, any knowledge you have of the other car or driver will be easier to recall immediately following the accident, and those details will still be of great help to law enforcement and your hit and run accident attorneys.
• DO contact your Maryland Heights, MO insurance company. In the event that the driver cannot be located, you will have to make an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance company.
• DO call Burger Law at (314) 500-HURT immediately. Our skilled and expert hit and run accident attorneys will assist in gathering evidence, including obtaining nearby surveillance video and getting in touch with witnesses for complete statements. We work with a network of Maryland Heights, MO car accident experts who will be able to recreate the crash and show exactly how the at-fault party caused your injuries.

Here are some helpful links and frequently asked questions for hit and runs and other kinds of car accidents:

Hit and Run Cases in Missouri

In the best case scenarios, police and/or your hit and run accident attorneys will be able to find the at-fault driver that caused your damages and hold them responsible for their irresponsible behavior. In those cases, the tenacious and talented Maryland Heights, MO hit and run accident lawyers at Burger Law will ensure you get the best possible compensation from the driver and their insurance company.

Uninsured Motorist Claims in Hit and Run Accidents

In Missouri, motorists are required to have uninsured motorist insurance. If you cannot locate the aliable driver after a hit and run accident, you and your hit and run accident attorneys will need to utilize this part of your policy to seek compensation from your own insurance company. In Maryland Heights, MO, there are four specifications that must be met so that you can make this claim:

1. You sustained bodily injuries
2. The injuries occurred due to an uninsured motorist, or in the case a motorist you are unable to identify
3. You are legally owed compensation from the at-fault driver
4. All other limits of applicable policies have been exhausted by payment or settlement

In these cases, your own Maryland Heights, MO insurance company takes the place of the responsible party’s insurance company in order to compensate you for your damages. However, like any insurance companies, they may still have to be persuaded to pay. To have the best opportunity to receive full compensation from an uninsured motorist claim, you need veteran and savvy Maryland Heights, MO hit and run accident attorneys like the ones at Burger Law to fight for you. We have been resisting insurance companies and other bullies for decades, and will not back down until your own insurance company pays you back the money you have certainly been paying into their policies for a long time.

Whether the at fault driver is located or not, the hit and run accident attorneys at Burger law will make sure you get the maximum amount of compensation that you are owed. When you get injured because another driver broke the rules of the road, you deserve the best possible recovery for all of damages you have sustained as a result of the accident, for instance: your medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning potential, pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life. No matter how grave your injuries, we insist that you are compensated for every dollar you deserve. If you or a someone you care about in Maryland Heights, MO has been harmed in a hit and run accident, call Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online.

Causes of Hit and Run Accidents

It is every driver’s legal and social duty to remain at the scene of a crash. When someone leaves the scene of a hit and run accident, it is because they care more about the repercussions for themselves than any damage or harm their dangerous actions caused. There are a lot of reasons the at-fault party might not want to take responsibility for their actions:

• The driver does not have car insurance

  In Maryland Heights, MO, not having adequate insurance can lead to having your license suspended for up to a year, paying a $400 reinstatement fee, a $500 fine and/or up to 15 days in jail. "No insurance" tickets also remain on a Maryland Heights, MO driver’s record.

• The driver does not have a driver’s license, or has a suspended license

  This also carries severe penalties and can be either a Class A misdemeanor or a Class E felony, depending on whether you have been discovered without a valid license before.

• A drunk driver or a driver that was impaired by drugs

  A DWI is a criminal charge that can also lead to fines, jail time, and getting your license revoked.

• The driver may have a warrant out for their arrest

  It might not be surprising that people who already fear an interaction with law enforcement would risk breaking the law again to run away from a crash site.

• Distracted driving

  Driving while not giving full attention to the road is thoughtless and dangerous. People can become distracted if they are texting, eating, looking at directions, tired or just have their head in the clouds.

• Lack of potential witnesses or low lighting

  A driver may leave the scene of an accident simply because they think they will not be caught. Hit and run accidents are 4.5 times more frequent between midnight and 4AM, when there is low visibility and far fewer witnesses on the Maryland Heights, MO streets or sidewalks.

• A panicked driver

  Sometimes the driver has a clean record but simply leaves the accident because they are afraid and do not want to get in trouble. Sometimes, these drivers turn themselves in once they have calmed down.

While we cannot control how other people drive, we can take some safety measures as both drivers and pedestrians. Try to avoid walking in poorly lit areas at night, and when you are behind the wheel, stay alert at all times and never presume that leaving the scene of an accident is the best choice.

Regardless of the reason a driver decides to flee the scene after causing a hit and run accident, they must have thought that the pros of running were greater than the cons. The Maryland Heights, MO hit and run accident attorneys at Burger Law will make them pay and make sure they know they were wrong. In our seventy years of experience as hit and run accident attorneys in Maryland Heights, MO we have successfully litigated hit and run cases in many varying scenarios. We insist on maximum compensation for all of our hit and run accident clients and will not let up until you are awarded the money you deserve to put you on the road to recovery. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT for a complimentary case evaluation and so we can get started on your case right away.

The Maryland Heights, MO lawyers of Burger Law have the experience and knowledge to help you receive the full recovery you deserve after any accident or injury caused by someone else leaves you injured. Learn more about our fields of expertise below.

• Survival Action Lawyer in Missouri
• Truck Crash Lawyers in Missouri
• Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Missouri

If you or someone you care about experienced injuries in a Maryland Heights, MO hit and run accident, you are probably feeling confused, angry, and vulnerable. Injuries and their related costs can disrupt your life. Burger Law is here to help you heal. When you hire our team of Maryland Heights, MO hit and run accident attorneys, we start working on your case and fighting on your behalf immediately. We insist that the at-fault parties and their insurance companies are held accountable and we insist on getting you full compensation to aid you in your recovery. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free case evaluation to take the first step in getting your life back on track.