Motorcyclist Dies After Tragic Hit-and-Run Collision with Pickup Truck

According to FOX 4 News, police are still searching for the driver who struck and killed a 20-year-old motorcyclist in Arlington late last month. The hit-and-run collision happened shortly after 9 p.m. by the man’s home near Kelly Elliott Road.

Investigators initially thought it was a single-vehicle crash; however, they later found footage from surveillance cameras showing a motorist getting out of a pickup truck, looking at the motorcyclist, and then getting back in the vehicle and fleeing the scene. The man’s family claims he did not die immediately and was able to tell responders what happened when they finally arrived. Had help come sooner, they surmise he might have survived.

By the time the man reached the hospital, though, his lungs had collapsed, and he was put on life support. The man died about a week later from injuries sustained in the impact.

Police are still hoping someone will come forward with information regarding the driver who struck the motorcyclist. They suspect the vehicle involved in the crash was a dark-colored, four-door pickup truck. Based on surveillance footage, authorities suspect it was a 2004 or newer Dodge Ram 1500.

If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run collision, you may still be able to recover compensation for the damages even if police never find the liable party. To discuss your situation and determine the most strategic way to proceed, turn to the Cooper Law Firm.

Our compassionate legal team is here to help people put their lives back together. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free case evaluation with a personal injury attorney in Texas.

How Do Police Find Hit-and-Run Drivers?

Every state has laws against leaving an accident. In Texas, for example, you can face either misdemeanor or felony charges for leaving the scene, depending on the severity of the damage. Potential penalties for a felony hit-and-run, which involves serious bodily injury or death, include up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

In order to prosecute hit-and-run motorists, though, police must find them first. Fortunately, they have various ways to find drivers who flee the scene of an accident. In addition to surveillance footage, like in the case mentioned above, evidence might include:

• Photographs of the scene;
• Dash cam footage;
• Eyewitness testimony;
• Expert witness statements; and
• Local mechanic statements.

In cases where there is not enough evidence to identify the liable driver, the accident victims may still be able to recover compensation by filing a claim with their own insurance provider. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, for example, it should apply following a hit-and-run collision.

Navigating the claims process is challenging, though, especially when you are recovering from serious injuries. If you were hurt in a crash with someone who fled the scene, turn to the Cooper Law Firm. A strategic attorney on our team can handle all the logistics of your case so you can focus on your health.

Contact us online or call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Texas. You can learn more about motorcycle accident claims in Texas by visiting the USAttorneys website.

 

Cooper Law Firm

501 N Third Street

Longview, TX 75601

903-297-0037