Hit & Run Accidents

Hit & Run Accident Lawyer in Sedalia

Standing Up to Insurers for Missouri Clients Since 1951

When the driver who hit you disappears, Missouri law routes your claim through your own insurance company rather than the driver who caused the crash. That means your insurer becomes the opposing party. Kempton & Russell has been standing up to large insurers on behalf of Missouri clients since 1951, with tens of millions of dollars recovered and national recognition for our legal advocacy. We apply that same track record directly to hit and run accident claims in Sedalia.

If you’ve been injured in a hit and run, call us at (660) 722-4115 to discuss your claim in a free consultation.

What Missouri Law Requires at the Scene of an Accident

Missouri Revised Statute 577.060 requires any driver involved in an accident to stop immediately and provide their name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration to the other party. This duty applies whether the crash involves another vehicle, a parked car, a pedestrian, or property damage, and regardless of who caused the collision.

Leaving the scene without exchanging that information is a class A misdemeanor. It becomes a class D felony if the accident resulted in death and a more serious felony if it caused injury or significant property damage. These criminal penalties exist separately from any civil liability the fleeing driver faces toward the people they injured.

How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Applies to Hit & Run Claims

Under RSMo 379.203, every Missouri auto insurance policy must include uninsured motorist coverage, with minimums of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. When the at-fault driver is never identified, Missouri treats the hit and run the same as an accident caused by an uninsured motorist. That means you file a claim under your own policy rather than chasing a driver who can’t be found.

To recover under that coverage, you generally need to show that another vehicle was actually involved in the collision. A police accident report is the most reliable form of proof. Witness statements, surveillance footage, and photographs of the damage can all strengthen that showing.

Steps to Take After a Hit & Run Accident in Sedalia

What you do in the hours after the crash affects what you can recover. Three actions matter most:

Call law enforcement immediately. An official police report documents that another vehicle was involved, which can support an uninsured motorist claim.
Record every detail you can. The fleeing vehicle’s make, model, color, partial plate, and the names and contact information of any witnesses all help the investigation and your claim.
Get a medical evaluation promptly. A timely examination can connect your injuries to the crash and create documentation your attorney can use when presenting your claim.

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Direct Attorney Representation Against Your Own Insurer

A hit and run claim under uninsured motorist coverage puts you in an adversarial position with your own insurance company. Insurers routinely dispute whether another vehicle was truly involved, challenge the severity of injuries, or offer settlements that fall short of actual losses. We know how that process works because we’ve handled it across a wide range of cases against well-funded insurance opponents.

At Kempton & Russell, the attorney you hire is the attorney who manages your claim from the initial police report through resolution. Your case doesn’t get passed to an associate or a paralegal partway through. That continuity matters when your insurer has its own legal team looking for reasons to minimize what you’re owed.

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$6.4 Million Tortious Interference With Business Expectancy
$4,878,887.00 Settlement - Motor Vehicle Collision
$4 Million Verdict - Motor Vehicle Collision
$2,500,000.00 Verdict - Medical Malpractice
$2,500,000.00 Settlement - Wrongful Death
$1,520,000.00 Settlement - Product Liability

Filing a Hit & Run Claim in Pettis County

Civil personal injury cases arising in Pettis County, including those stemming from a Sedalia hit and run accident, are heard in Pettis County Circuit Court, part of Missouri’s 18th Judicial Circuit. If your claim can’t be resolved through the insurance process, that court is where a lawsuit would be filed.

Missouri Revised Statute 516.120 gives injury victims five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Five years may sound like ample time, but evidence degrades, witnesses become harder to locate, and insurance companies use delay to their advantage. Starting the process early preserves your options.

Talk to a Sedalia Hit & Run Attorney at No Cost

A free consultation with Kempton & Russell gives you a clear picture of your claim before you commit to anything. We can review what happened, explain how Missouri’s uninsured motorist law applies to your situation, and outline what pursuing compensation can look like.

Call Kempton & Russell today at (660) 722-4115 to schedule your free consultation with a hit and run accident attorney in Sedalia.

If the Hit & Run Driver Is Later Identified

Law enforcement sometimes identifies the driver who fled days or weeks after the accident. If that happens in your case, your options expand. You may pursue a claim directly against that driver’s own insurance policy, in addition to any amount already recovered through your uninsured motorist coverage. The two paths aren’t mutually exclusive, and identifying the at-fault driver can significantly change the value of your claim.

We monitor case developments and can advise you on how a positive identification affects what you’ve already filed and what additional recovery may be available to you.

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Hear From Our Happy Clients

One of, if not the best lawyer in Pettis County
“This place is amazing. Brody was consistent and kept in touch whenever I needed and was helpful throughout the whole process. Settled for a lot more than I expected. One of, if not the best lawyer in Pettis County.”

- Allen C.
They are diligent and professional and their expertise and experience are second to none in the area.
“I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with Mark and Brody for a number of years. They are diligent and professional and their expertise and experience are second to none in the area. I highly recommend the firm.”

- Philip A.
They put forth 110% for you. They go above and beyond.
“I highly recommend Kempton & Russell. They truly care about you and your case and it shows through their work. They put forth 110 % for you. They go above and beyond doing research about all the facts in the case and are very professional in their work. My sincere thanks to them for their hard work.”

- Julie H.

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Contact Our Personal Injury Advocates

At Kempton & Russell, we're always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (660) 722-4115 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.

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