Hit-and-Run Incidents: Seeking Justice When the Driver Flees

There is shock, frustration, and suffering after a multi-vehicle crash, regardless of what caused it. Thankfully, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit for compensation if you have incurred losses due to being injured in an accident someone else caused. But if you've been involved in a hit-and-run accident in Texas and plan on filing a claim, you should know a few basics about the state's rules and regulations, such as the time limit on doing so (two years from the date of the accident) and how to file a report of the accident.

If you've been in a hit-and-run in Dallas and you're wondering how to navigate a claim under Texas law, we encourage you to contact our law firm. The Rasansky Law Firm has built a reputation for excellence and reliability over three decades, and our team is ready to help you and yours after a hit-and-run accident has left you with injuries and other damages.

Hit-and-Run Crashes in Texas

All motorists involved in a collision in Texas must report the incident promptly to the local police, depending on their respective city or municipal regulations. Otherwise, Texas drivers should report auto accidents to the local sheriff's office when in doubt.

It's especially important to contact the authorities if the accident resulted in injuries or fatalities, if the damage to at least one of the vehicles involved prevents it from being safely moved from the roadway, or if the other driver has fled the scene.

Texas does not require policyholders involved in a car accident to inform their auto insurance, though most policies do require the policyholder to report their accident as quickly as possible. The sooner the insurance company is informed of an accident, the sooner it can investigate or defend a claim. Plus, an insurer may deny coverage for a collision if the insured fails to report the incident within a "reasonable" period of time. In fact, depending on the circumstances surrounding a crash, an insurance provider may allow less than one week to report or file a claim after a car accident.

Even if your wreck was minor and did not meet the Texas standard for a reportable collision, you should still notify your auto insurer. Being proactive assures that your insurance will provide coverage if necessary.

Liability For Hit-and-Run Collisions in Texas

Some states have a no-fault system for vehicle accidents, which means that after a collision, drivers use their insurance coverage to submit a claim for injuries and some out-of-pocket expenditures, regardless of who was at fault. By contrast, the state of Texas is a fault or at-fault state. This means the person responsible for the accident can be held liable for the expenses and losses incurred by the injured party, but if you've been involved in a hit-and-run, you may not know who caused your wreck.

Like some other states, Texas requires all drivers to have a minimum amount of insurance coverage. If motorists aren't able to maintain insurance minimums in the Lone Star State, they must prove their financial ability to cover a claim out of pocket in the event of an accident. This comes into play much more often in a hit-and-run accident.

Insurance Coverage For Hit-and-Run Wrecks

You may be wondering whether your insurance will cover a hit-and-run accident. The answer is conditional upon the details of your individual insurance policy. However, it's crucial to understand how hit-and-run insurance claims typically function.

Personal injury protection policies normally cover medical bills incurred by you or your passengers as a result of an accident. If you can identify the other motorist who caused damage to your vehicle, you will be able to file a claim against their liability insurance. If they can't be located, there's still a way to get money for the repairs.

Adding uninsured/underinsured motorist protection to your auto insurance policy is important for this reason. Damages to your car caused by someone who does not have insurance or adequate insurance will be covered by this policy. If the at-fault driver cannot be located, uninsured/underinsured motorist protection may kick in. Contact your insurance provider to find out whether you have coverage in the case of a hit-and-run.

Penalties For Hit-and-Run Drivers in Texas

Leaving the site of an accident that causes significant physical injury or damage is a second-degree crime in Texas while leaving the scene of an accident that causes death is a third-degree felony in Texas. Two to ten years in state prison is the penalty for this. Anyone who causes bodily harm to another person, even if it is minor, may be guilty of a crime punishable by up to 5 years in state prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Damage to a parked or moving car while fleeing the scene is deemed a Class C misdemeanor. If the total damage to all cars is less than $200, a fine of up to $500 may be imposed for this infraction. It is a Class B misdemeanor and punishable by up to 6 months in county prison if the damages exceed $200.

The hit-and-run motorist may face legal consequences if they fail to stop at the collision scene. A person with no criminal record may get probation or community supervision in cases when there is little property damage and no major injuries.

Others involved in hit-and-run incidents may face prison time depending on the specifics of their case. A driver's license suspension is another possible consequence of a hit-and-run conviction.

Contact an Auto Accident Attorney in Dallas

You should contact a Dallas car accident lawyer as soon as possible if you are dealing with the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision. In fact, you may find that you're eligible for compensation that would cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial obligations, depending on the circumstances.

Contact our auto accident lawyers in Dallas at (214) 651-6100 for a free case review 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you were harmed in a vehicle accident in the state of Texas and have concerns about how to proceed with your case. We are here to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Remember that you do not owe us anything unless and until we successfully win your case and you get the money you are due.