Hit and Run Accident Attorneys Washington, MO

Hit and Run Accident Attorneys in Washington, MO. How do you hold a driver to blame and recover maximum compensation for your damages when you have been injured in a hit and run crash? Call the Washington, MO hit and run accident attorneys of Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online so that we can start working for you and winning you the best possible recovery for your Washington, MO hit and run accident.

When a dangerous driver willfully breaks the rules of the road and hurts you or someone you care about, it is typical to feel shocked and indignant. It is particularly unnerving when the reckless party will not take responsibility for their behavior and flees the scene of the in a hit and run accident. You may be wondering who is going to pay for the damages to your property and you or your loved one’s injuries. The devoted, experienced and talented Washington, MO hit and run accident attorneys at Burger Law know how to hold dangerous and intentionally irresponsible driver’s accountable. We will help you understand the situation and will fight for you to maximize your compensation and get you on the journey to recovery. Call us now at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.

In the United States in 2016, 2049 people were killed in hit and run accidents, which is 62 percent more than 2009. Of the fatalities, almost 65 percent of them were pedestrians or bicyclists, and approximately one in five pedestrian deaths take place in hit and run accidents. A hit and run accident takes place every 43 seconds in the United States. Any injury arising from an auto wreck can be traumatizing and cause life-long repercussions or, in the worst cases, wrongful death. However, hit and run cases exacerbate that trauma as you may not receive medical treatment right away, and you may be unsure of who to trust or how to seek equitable compensation for your injuries and damages. Our group of accomplished and knowledgeable hit and run accident attorneys at Burger Law have helped people harmed in hit and run accidents in the Washington, MO area get maximum recoveries and know how to maximize your compensation. When you call us at (314) 500-HURT, we start working on your case straight away, and you do not owe us any payment until we win your suit.

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

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

If somebody acts carelessly and harms you in a hit and run accident, they are not only responsible 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, they are required by law to:

• Remain at the scene
• Move their car if it may cause other drivers to crash, otherwise, wait until directed by police
• Help anyone who is hurt
• Call the Washington, MO police
• Use flares, reflectors, or flashlights if the accident happened at night or in inclement weather
• Trade contact info and insurance information with other people involved
• Stay at the scene until a police officer tells them differently

Additionally, an accident report must be filed if damages exceed $500 or the accident causes 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 following three conditions 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 was previously found guilty of leaving the scene of a hit and run accident.

A hit and run becomes a Class D Felony if the accident becomes fatal and causes somebody’s death. While it is encouraging that we have laws discouraging 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 culpable before the Washington, MO criminal court, but you need skilled and committed hit and run accident attorneys like those at Burger Law who will demand that you get the best possible recovery you need to heal. When you hire us, we get started on your case immediately and do not give up. You do not owe us a dime until we win your case and we will represent you aggressively to make certain the at-fault party accepts complete responsibility for their harmful actions.

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

While being in any accident is terrifying and can leave you feeling vulnerable, it can be especially worrisome if the responsible party breaks the rules of the road and leaves the accident site. The rules were enacted for a reason, and it is disappointing and alarming when someone breaks those rules and drives carelessly and irresponsibly. The devoted and skilled Washington, MO hit and run accident attorneys at Burger Law hold thoughtless drivers accountable and recover for you the money 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 scene yourself. You may think the damages are too minor to want to deal with the inconvenience, or you may be anxious that you are partially responsible. Leaving the scene of a crash will make it much harder for you to receive compensation for your injuries, and, more importantly, it is against the law.
• DO get medical treatment. Your first thought 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 hurt, do your best to keep them in a stable condition and wait for Washington, MO emergency services to come and provide aid.
• DO NOT wait to call the police. Missouri law dictates that you have to call the police in any accident that causes over $500 worth of damages or leads to bodily injury or death. Even if you are not certain what the extent of the damages or injuries are immediately, having a police report will help a lot in winning your case.
• DO NOT follow the driver. After being hit by another auto in a hit and run accident, anger and outrage are natural reactions. You may be motivated to follow the driver and find out who they are. That is Washington, MO law enforcement’s responsibility. Chasing after the other person not only puts yourself, other drivers, passengers and pedestrians at more risk, but it will hamper you from being able to get necessary information and may even make the police suspicious of you.
• DO safely discern what you are able to about the negligent driver and vehicle. To do this, you can:
  • Take pictures. If you are not seriously injured and can get hold of your phone before the car disappears from view, take as many photographs as you are able to. Even if you cannot get complete license plate number, a partial number and/or the make, model and color of the car will be a great help in locating the driver. It is also useful to take photos of any tire marks or other damage to the area of the crash.
  • Talk to witnesses. Other people at the accident site might have been able to see more than you did, or will be able to confirm your version of events. Be sure to get their contact information so an insurance company, law enforcement officer or Washington, MO hit and run accident lawyer will be able to reach out to them later.
  • Write it all down. If you did not have time or the ability to take pictures, any knowledge you have of the other car or driver will be fresher in your memory 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 Washington, MO insurance company. If the driver is never located, you will need to make an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance company.
• DO call Burger Law at (314) 500-HURT at once. Our skilled and knowledgeable hit and run accident attorneys will help you gather evidence, including obtaining adjacent surveillance footage and contacting witnesses for complete depositions. We work with a network of Washington, MO car accident experts who will be able to recreate the scene and show exactly how the liable party caused your injuries.

Below 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 track down the negligent driver that caused your injuries and hold them responsible for their dangerous behavior. In those cases, the determined and knowledgeable Washington, MO hit and run accident lawyers at Burger Law will make sure you receive the best possible compensation from the driver and their insurance company.

Uninsured Motorist Claims in Hit and Run Accidents

In Missouri, drivers are required to have uninsured motorist insurance. If you cannot find 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 make a claim against your own insurance company. In Washington, MO, there are four criteria that are required to be met so that you can make this claim:

1. You sustained physical injuries
2. The injuries happened as a result of 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 Washington, MO insurance company takes the place of the liable party’s insurance company in order to compensate you for your injuries. However, like any insurance companies, they may still need convincing before they pay you. To have the best opportunity to receive full compensation from an uninsured motorist claim, you need accomplished and talented Washington, MO hit and run accident attorneys like the ones at Burger Law to fight by your side. We have been challenging insurance companies and other bullies for over 20 years, and will not give in until your own insurance company reimburses you for the money you have probably been paying into their policies for a long time.

Whether the at fault driver is identified or not, the hit and run accident attorneys at Burger law will make sure you get the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve. When you are injured because another driver broke the rules of the road, you deserve the best possible recovery for all of damages you have experienced owing to the accident, for instance: your medical bills, lost wages, lost earning potential, pain and suffering, mental anguish and reduced ability to enjoy life. No matter how severe your injuries, we demand that you are compensated for every dime you are owed. If you or a family member in Washington, 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 any driver’s legal and moral duty to stay at an accident site. When someone leaves the scene of a hit and run accident, it is because they are more worried about the repercussions for themselves than any damage or harm their irresponsible behavior 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 Washington, MO, not having appropriate 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 Washington, MO driver’s record.

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

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

• A drunk driver or a driver that was under the influence of drugs

  A DWI is a criminal charge that can also carry fines, jail time, and revocation of a license.

• The driver may have a warrant out for their arrest

  It likely is not surprising that people who already fear an interaction with law enforcement would risk breaking the law again to flee the scene of an accident.

• Distracted driving

  Driving while not focusing on the road is careless and dangerous. People can become distracted if they are texting, eating, looking at directions, fatigued or are just thinking about something else.

• Lack of potential witnesses or low lighting

  A driver may leave the scene of an accident simply because they think they can do so without any repercussions. Hit and run accidents are 4.5 times more probable between 12AM and 4AM, when there is low visibility and far fewer witnesses on the Washington, 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. Occasionally, these drivers turn themselves in after 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 driving, stay alert at all times and never take for granted that leaving the scene of an accident is the best decision.

Whatever the reason a driver chooses to flee the scene after causing a hit and run accident, they must have presupposed the benefits of running were greater than the cons. The Washington, MO hit and run accident attorneys at Burger Law will hold them responsible and ensure they understand they were wrong. In our seventy years of experience as hit and run accident attorneys in Washington, MO we have successfully litigated hit and run cases in many differing scenarios. We demand great compensation for all of our hit and run accident clients and will not give up until you recover the money you deserve to put you on the road to recovery. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT for a complimentary consultation and so we can get started on your case right away.

The Washington, 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 a loved one sustained injuries in a Washington, MO hit and run accident, you are probably feeling confused, livid, and vulnerable. Injuries and their related expenses can disrupt your life. Burger Law is here to help you heal. When you hire our team of Washington, MO hit and run accident attorneys, we start working on your case and fighting on your behalf right away. We demand the negligent parties and their insurance companies are held accountable and we insist on getting you maximum compensation to help you in your recovery. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation to take the first step in getting your life back on track.