Being involved in any type of car accident can be distressing. However, the emotional toll is especially high when the other driver flees the scene and refuses to take responsibility. Hit and run car accidents in Rolla can cause serious injuries, and getting compensation might be difficult. Hiring an experienced car crash attorney could increase your chances of success, and the legal team at AW Smith Law could negotiate for the best possible award or settlement for you.
Drivers who leave the scene of an accident could face several types of serious penalties in Rolla. A hit and run is a crime in Missouri, and Mo. Rev. Stat. § 577.060 makes leaving the scene of an accident a class A misdemeanor. If the accident caused more than $1000 in property damage or any type of injury to another person, it is considered a class E felony. The crime becomes a class D felony if someone dies as a result. Because of this, a hit and run driver can face criminal penalties such as fines and prison time, as well as administrative consequences like points on their driver’s license.
Leaving an accident scene does not automatically confirm fault. Though unlikely, it is possible for the at-fault driver to stay at the scene and the other driver to leave. Fleeing after an accident is usually considered evidence of negligence, so individuals who do so are almost always considered liable. While an injured person can sue the hit and run driver, finding them is usually the most difficult step in the process.
Two major categories of damages could be awarded in a hit and run lawsuit: compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages pay for both specific costs and intangible suffering. Specific costs, or economic damages, can include medical bills, lost wages, and lost future earning potential if the accident caused a permanent disability. Intangibles, or non-economic damages, are those that cannot be quantified, like physical pain, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment of life. Punitive damages are designed to penalize the person at fault rather than compensate the injured. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 510.261 allows punitive damages to be awarded when the person at fault acted intentionally or with complete disregard for the safety of others. Though rare, this may be an option in hit and run cases. For example, a court might order punitive damages if a Rolla hit and run driver saw that the other person was seriously injured but left the scene anyway.
If you were injured by a hit and run driver, you may be feeling angry, frustrated, and worried about the expenses you are incurring as a result. Hit and run car accidents in Rolla can have a major impact on your life, but our team can help you find the responsible driver and get the compensation you deserve. Contact AW Smith Law today to discuss your options with one of our personal injury attorneys.
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