Being injured in a car accident is traumatic enough, but when the responsible driver flees the scene, victims are left feeling helpless and abandoned. During these difficult moments, questions about paying for vehicle repairs, medical treatment, and lost wages can overwhelm anyone left behind. However, victims have options for recovery, even when the at-fault driver remains unidentified. If you were injured in a car accident, make sure to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in McAllen.
Hit and Run Laws in Texas
The Texas Transportation Code establishes clear legal duties for all drivers involved in accidents. Any driver who causes injury, death, or property damage must immediately stop at the scene or as close as safely possible. The law requires drivers to exchange names, addresses, vehicle registration numbers, and insurance information. For accidents involving injuries, drivers must provide reasonable assistance, including arranging transportation for medical care.
Fleeing the scene carries serious criminal penalties, including hefty fines and jail time. When accidents result in death, leaving the scene is a second-degree felony. Accidents that cause serious bodily injury become a third-degree felony if the driver flees.
Your Legal Rights as a Hit and Run Victim
Texas is a fault-based accident state that requires drivers to pay for any damages that occur in collisions that they cause. If you are injured by a hit and run driver, you may wonder how you can recover this compensation when you do not know the identity of the person who struck you. However, you do have options available to you.
If the driver cannot be identified, you can pursue a claim under your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This type of policy helps victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs when they cannot pursue a claim against the at-fault driver directly. However, this coverage is optional and must be in effect at the time of the collision.
If law enforcement later identifies the driver, you can pursue an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. As long as you can prove that they are responsible for the crash, you can secure compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and more.
How Police and Attorneys Investigate Hit and Run Accidents
When a hit and run accident happens in Texas, law enforcement launches an immediate investigation to identify the responsible driver. The responding officers may gather and analyze evidence like surveillance footage, witness statements, and even paint transfers or vehicle debris left at the scene. The police may expand their investigation by checking local body shops for vehicles matching your description, broadcasting case details through local media, or interviewing staff at local hospitals about potentially injured drivers.
McAllen personal injury attorneys often conduct parallel investigations to help their clients find hit and run drivers. They can subpoena surveillance footage from nearby businesses, hire accident reconstruction experts to analyze the crash scene evidence, and work with private investigators to locate fleeing drivers.
Speak with a Hit and Run Accident Attorney Today
Being left injured by a driver who fled the scene can feel like a betrayal of justice. While the police search for the responsible party, you need an attorney who can help you explore every available avenue for compensation.
De La Garza Law Firm will investigate your case and work with your insurance company to secure the coverage you deserve. Contact us at (956) 533-1426 to learn about your options with our Texas hit and run accident lawyers.
