If you have been injured in a hit-and-run car accident, you need to understand your options for moving forward. Dealing with injuries from an accident, plus the added difficulty of tracking down the other driver, can be extremely stressful. Fortunately, you can take some simple steps to increase your chances of holding the other driver responsible and obtaining compensation for your injuries.
At the Accident Scene
In Texas, a hit-and-run occurs when someone fails to stop at the scene of an auto accident in which they were involved that caused injuries or was likely to cause injuries. The law requires drivers to stop, exchange information, and render aid if needed. It doesn’t matter whether a driver was at fault in the accident – everyone is required to give information and render aid. If a driver who was involved in the crash doesn’t stop at the scene of a serious accident, they can be charged with a felony, face jail time, or have to pay a fine.
Following an accident, the most important thing you should do is seek medical treatment if you were injured. Don’t worry about identifying a hit-and-run driver if you’re seriously hurt and in need of medical care. However, after you get emergency treatment, there are a few steps you can take to help identify the other driver.
First, you should call the police and make sure they take an accident report at the scene. They will want to question you about the other driver involved in the accident. Share any information you have about the hit-and-run driver – what kind of car they were driving, where they drove when they fled, any license plate info, any visual information on what the other driver looked like, etc. This information could help the police track down the driver. Also, there may be physical evidence at the accident scene that the hit-and-run driver left behind, such as car parts, paint flecks, or bodily fluids.
What’s Next After a Hit-and-Run
Ensure you notify your insurance company immediately about the hit-and-run accident and your injuries. Keep track of your medical bills and other expenses related to the accident. Your insurance may cover your bills, although coverage could depend on several factors, such as which types of coverage you purchased, which types of bills you have, whether you’re found to be at fault for the accident, and whether the other driver is identified.
In addition, many hit-and-run victims seek legal advice after their accidents. While it may seem counterintuitive to get a lawyer when you don’t know who to sue for the accident, a good personal injury lawyer can help you in several ways. First, a lawyer may be able to assist you with trying to find the other driver. This may be as straightforward as following up with the police on your behalf to obtain the accident report and asking if the other driver has been identified, or it may require a more thorough investigation, such as obtaining surveillance video from nearby businesses or interviewing witnesses. Second, a lawyer may be able to help you pursue coverage by your own insurance for the accident, even if the other driver is not identified.
If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident, you have options for how to move forward. Make sure you pursue any compensation available from your insurance company. Consider hiring a lawyer to help you deal with your insurance company and potentially identify the other driver. If the other driver is identified, you can seek compensation from their insurance.
Our Personal Injury Legal Team Is Here For You
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you need legal advice about your situation from an experienced personal injury attorney. Our firm represents injured Texas drivers and pedestrians who need help recovering compensation. The lawyers at Duke Seth, PLLC can help you learn more about your options during a free consultation. Contact us online or call us at (214) 466-1740 to set up your appointment today.
Q&A with Duke Seth
Q: I had to pay a deductible for my insurance company to repair my vehicle, but the other driver was at fault. Can my deductible be refunded?
A:Yes, you generally can get your deductible refunded if your insurance paid to repair your vehicle. In some instances, people will use their own insurance company to repair their vehicle even if they were not at fault. This may be faster than waiting for the at-fault driver’s insurance company to make their investigation and coordinate repairs. If you paid a deductible, you generally are entitled to a refund—either from the negligent driver’s insurance company or your own.