A previous post on this blog talked about a tragic hit-and-run accident in the Kansas City area. Although the pedestrian involved in that accident died, the driver of the vehicle was eventually caught.
Still, this case merits a discussion about what should happen if a Kansas City resident should find himself or herself injured after a hit-and-run accident. Of course, the first step would be to do what one can to locate the driver. After all, a driver who is at fault for an accident and then tries to avoid responsibility really should be held accountable for their actions on all levels.
Unfortunately, even despite the best efforts of a law enforcement, a hit-and-run driver might never be located. This makes the victim’s efforts to recover compensation more complicated and difficult. However, under the right circumstances, getting compensation is still possible.
Assuming there is no one else who can be held responsible for the accident, then one option that might be available to a victim is to get benefits from his or her own uninsured motorist coverage. This sort of coverage, which Missouri law requires by default, protects a victim by offering compensation when the victim gets hurt by a negligent motorist who does not have insurance coverage for themselves. A hit-and-run driver falls in to this category. Other benefits may be available through one’s own insurance company, particularly on the Kansas side of the river.
Even when one is dealing with their own insurance company, however, it can still be difficult to get the compensation one deserves. For this reason, after a hit-and-run accident in particular, a victim is well-advised to seek out the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.
