Video Transcripts
What Do I do in a Hit & Run Car Crash (Phantom Motorists)?
Every so often we have clients who have come to us after some sort of delay because they thought they didn’t have a case because their crash involved a hit-and-run motorist or phantom motorists. Someone who both hit them and took off or someone who cut them off and may not have made contact and kept driving. They don’t think they have a case. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Whether you know it or not in the state of Missouri and in Illinois, but specifically I’ll talk about Missouri when you purchase your auto insurance auto insurance carrier is required by law to also give you a product what is called uninsured motorist coverage. So you may say, “well I have liability only” that’s not true. You have uninsured motorist coverage as well. It’s called UM Coverage.
They (insurance company) don’t really tell you about it, but you have it. Because it’s mandated by law, that coverage is there for this exact scenario. When someone hits you and takes off, when someone cuts you off and doesn’t make contact and you’re damaged or, someone hit you and they don’t have any insurance you have that product. It’s there for your use.
Most insurance companies won’t tell you about it. It’s very important that you utilize it and also provide notice so if you’re in a hit-and-run situation, you were cut off or someone hit you with no insurance, you absolutely still have a claim that must be investigated and pursued.