Dallas Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney

According to a study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, in the most recent year data is available, Texas had the second-highest number of hit-and-run car accidents in the country behind only California. Texas reported 233 hit-and-runs in 2016, an increase from 179 the year before. By comparison, California reported 337 hit-and-run accidents in 2016.

When a driver in Texas flees the scene of a car accident, it is often an attempt to avoid accountability for causing the crash – especially if the driver was breaking a law at the time, such as driving under the influence. Texas is a fault-based car insurance state, which means the at-fault party is held responsible (liable) for paying for a motor vehicle collision.

If one of the drivers involved in a car accident does not stop at the scene and provide his or her information, the other driver may not have the option of filing a third-party insurance claim. The only option may be a first-party claim or a claim filed with the driver’s car insurance provider.

After a hit-and-run accident, contact your own car insurance company to ask if you have uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance. If so, this type of insurance will pay for your accident as if the hit-and-run driver had remained at the scene but did not have insurance. If you have collision or comprehensive car insurance, this could also help cover your losses.

If you get injured in a hit-and-run crash in Texas, you may need to hire a car accident attorney to help you collect fair financial compensation to reimburse you for your medical bills and property damage. Your Dallas car accident attorney can take over negotiations with your car insurance company to achieve a fair settlement.

A Dallas personal injury lawyer can also help you explore other legal options, which may include filing a claim against a third party. If there is evidence that an auto part defect contributed to your crash or injury, for example, the product manufacturer may be held liable. Speak to an attorney as soon as possible after your hit-and-run accident for advice and assistance.

Hit-and-run accidents occur for a variety of reasons, often rooted in fear, panic, or a desire to avoid responsibility. Here are some common reasons:

• Fear of Legal Consequences: The driver may be afraid of facing legal repercussions, especially if they are driving without a license, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or have outstanding warrants.
• Panic or Shock: The immediate stress or shock of an accident can cause some drivers to flee the scene impulsively without thinking through the consequences.
• Lack of Insurance: Drivers without insurance may fear the financial burden of being held responsible for damages or injuries, leading them to leave the scene.
• Unlicensed or Suspended License: A driver who is unlicensed or has a suspended license may flee to avoid further legal issues.
• Driving Under the Influence: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs may flee the scene to avoid DUI charges, which carry severe penalties.
• Stolen Vehicle: If the driver is operating a stolen vehicle, they may flee to avoid being caught for the theft.
• Fear of Arrest: If the driver is involved in other illegal activities or has a criminal background, they may flee to avoid arrest.
• Distracted Driving: A driver who is distracted, such as by texting, may not realize they have caused an accident, or may panic and leave once they realize what happened.
• Lack of Awareness: In some cases, the driver may not realize they have hit something or someone, particularly in low-impact collisions.
• Immigration Status Concerns: Drivers who are undocumented may fear deportation if they are involved in an accident, leading them to flee.

If you're involved in a hit and run, where the at-fault driver flees the scene and cannot be identified, UM coverage can step in to cover your damages. This coverage helps pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage that would have otherwise been covered by the at-fault driver's insurance. In Texas, where the driver responsible for the accident might not be found, UM coverage provides financial protection, ensuring that you are not left to bear the costs of the accident alone.