If you are rear-ended by a hit-and-run driver in St. Louis, your first priority should be ensuring your safety and documenting critical details before they disappear. Move your vehicle to a safe location if possible—such as the shoulder of I-64, I-44, or another major roadway—to avoid secondary collisions, especially in high-traffic zones like the I-70/I-55 interchange. Activate your hazard lights and set up flares or reflective triangles if available. Immediately call 911 to report the accident, as Missouri law (§ 577.060 RSMo) requires police involvement in hit-and-run crashes resulting in injury or significant property damage. While waiting for law enforcement, scan the area for witnesses—bystanders at busy intersections like Hampton Avenue and Chippewa Street may have seen the fleeing vehicle. If you can safely do so, use your smartphone to photograph the accident scene, including skid marks, debris fields, and any visible damage to your vehicle, as these details will be crucial for police and insurance investigations.

2. Gathering Critical Information Before It Disappears

Hit-and-run collisions often leave only fleeting evidence, making rapid documentation essential. If you caught even a partial license plate number (Missouri plates are typically three letters followed by three numbers, or vice versa), write it down immediately—even a single character can help police narrow their search. Note the fleeing vehicle's make, model, color, and distinguishing features (e.g., bumper stickers, roof racks, or damage from the collision). Dashcam footage is invaluable; if you have one, preserve the recording before it loops and overwrites (most systems save only 30-60 minutes of footage). Check nearby businesses—gas stations, banks, or traffic cameras at major intersections like Grand Boulevard and Gravois Avenue—as their surveillance systems may have captured the incident. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's Traffic Division uses a network of municipal cameras, but footage is typically retained for only 72 hours, so prompt reporting is critical.

3. Reporting the Hit-and-Run to Law Enforcement

Under Missouri law, leaving the scene of an accident (§ 577.060 RSMo) is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail) if only property damage occurs, but a Class D felony (up to 4 years) if injuries are involved. When St. Louis police arrive, provide them with all available details—no matter how minor—including the direction the fleeing driver headed (e.g., westbound on Highway 40 toward St. Charles). Request a copy of the police report number before leaving the scene; in St. Louis, reports can later be obtained online through the Metropolitan Police Department's Traffic Accident Report Portal or in person at the Central Patrol Division on Jefferson Avenue. If officers are unable to respond immediately (a common issue for non-injury crashes in the city), file a report at the nearest precinct within 24 hours to ensure eligibility for uninsured motorist coverage.

4. Medical Evaluation: Hidden Injuries and Documentation

Rear-end collisions frequently cause whiplash, concussions, and spinal injuries, even at low speeds. Symptoms may not appear until hours or days later due to adrenaline masking pain. Visit an urgent care clinic (such as Total Access Urgent Care on Locust Street) or emergency room (Barnes-Jewish Hospital's Level I Trauma Center) for a full evaluation. Missouri is a "fault" state, meaning you must prove the other driver's negligence caused your injuries to recover compensation. Medical records created within 72 hours of the crash carry significantly more weight with insurers than delayed treatment. Retain all receipts and discharge paperwork; these documents will be crucial when filing a claim or lawsuit. If you experience ongoing pain, follow up with a St. Louis-based orthopedic specialist (e.g., Orthopedic Associates of St. Louis) to document long-term effects.

5. Notifying Your Insurance Company

Missouri requires uninsured motorist (UM) coverage as part of every auto policy, which applies in hit-and-run scenarios. Contact your insurer immediately—delay can be grounds for denial. Key steps:

• Provide the police report number

• Submit photos of vehicle damage (obtain repair estimates from St. Louis shops like Weber Chevrolet's Collision Center)

• Disclose any witness contact information

• Avoid recorded statements until consulting an attorney

Insurers often challenge hit-and-run claims by arguing the collision was a "phantom vehicle" (unverified) or that you contributed to the accident. Strong evidence (e.g., dashcam footage, independent witnesses) is essential to counter these tactics.

6. Legal Recourse: Identifying the Driver and Filing a Claim

If police locate the hit-and-run driver, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit in St. Louis Circuit Court for:

• Medical expenses

• Lost wages

• Vehicle repairs

• Pain and suffering

Missouri's 5-year statute of limitations (§ 516.120 RSMo) applies to injury claims, but starting early improves evidence preservation. If the driver remains unidentified, your options are:

1. Uninsured Motorist Claim: Covers injuries and property damage (minus deductible)

2. Collision Coverage: Repairs your vehicle (requires comprehensive policy)

3. Civil Damages from Third Parties: If a business's surveillance footage helped identify the driver, they may share liability

7. Why Hiring a St. Louis Hit-and-Run Attorney Is Critical

Experienced local attorneys (e.g., The Bradley Law Firm or Page Law) can:

• Subpoena traffic camera footage before it's erased

• Hire accident reconstruction experts to prove fault

• Negotiate with insurers who lowball hit-and-run claims

• File lawsuits against identifiable third parties (e.g., bars that overserved a drunk driver)

Most work on contingency fees (paid only if they recover compensation), making legal representation accessible.