Your Options If You Have Been the Victim of a Hit and Run in Texas

The Cooper Law Firm is a Canton, Van Zandt, Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson, Paris, and Marshall, Texas car accident law firm that works with clients who have been hurt in crashes. Car accident claims can be challenging enough, but if you were the victim of a hit and run, you may have important questions. A hit and run car accident occurs when a driver leaves the scene of a crash without calling the police, or chooses to leave the scene of a crash without exchanging information with other drivers involved. A driver who leaves the scene of a crash without rendering aid to injured passengers would also be considered guilty of a hit and run. After a typical car accident, drivers generally exchange contact information with each other, and then drivers can make a claim against their insurance, or the negligent party pays for damages. The negligent party is generally responsible for paying for medical bills and other damages.

However, with a hit and run accident, victims don’t know who the other driver is. If this happened to you, you may still have options under the law. If you have questions about how to navigate your claim, the Cooper Law Firm is a Texas car accident lawyer who may be able to help you.

Steps You Can Take to Protect Yourself After a Hit and Run Crash

Even if the other driver leaves the scene of your crash, you still have options and rights under the law. The first step should be to make sure that you and other people involved in the accident are safe. Then, call 911 to report the accident. Police officers can investigate the scene of the crash to determine facts about the driver and the accident, and in some cases, officers can perform an investigation that leads to the hit and run driver being found. For example, officers might be able to look at tire treads on the highway, paint evidence, and even city cameras, if they were rolling where your accident occurred.

At the scene of the crash, take as many notes as possible. If you can recall the make and model of the car that left the scene, write this down. Did you see where the other car struck you, and if the car sustained any damage? Did you get a glimpse of the driver? Did you take down the other driver’s license plate number? If other people saw the accident or got information about the driver that left the scene, speak to them and write down the information they might have. The best time to preserve evidence is at the scene of the crash.

After a hit and run accident, you should also call your insurance company to report the accident and open a claim. If the other driver is not found, you may be able to claim underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. Your insurance may also cover you for personal injury or medical costs.

Have questions about your rights after a Texas car accident? The car accident lawyers at the Cooper Law Firm in Canton, Van Zandt, Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson, Paris, and Marshall, Texas may be able to assist you. Contact us today to learn more. We may be able to help you with making a claim against your insurance policy to cover your losses and assist you with the next steps if the hit and run driver is found.

Protect Your Rights in Texas After a Car Accident

Whether you were or were not at fault after a car crash in Texas, you are required to stop, render aid, and exchange contact information with the other driver or drivers. If the accident involved injuries or significant property damage, you may also be required under the law to report it to police. In general, it’s a good idea to report all accidents to police—even minor fender-benders. This protects you should you need to make a personal injury claim in the future. Your car insurance company may request a police report when settling your claim. Finally, never leave the scene of a crash without exchanging information with the other drivers. Drivers who leave the scene of an accident can face felony or misdemeanor charges, depending on how much damage was caused and whether another person was injured.

Were you or was someone you love hurt in a hit and run? You may have important rights under the law, including the right to make a claim with your insurer, and seek damages from the negligent driver if the driver is later identified. Have questions? The car accident attorneys at the Cooper Law Firm in Canton, Van Zandt, Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson, Paris, and Marshall, Texas are here for you. Contact our law firm today, or reach out to USAttorneys.com to get matched with a lawyer near you.