If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident, either as a driver, cyclist, or pedestrian, you need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side. The lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law can help with the accident investigation, work with you to build a strong case, and ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to.
Fleeing the Scene Is Illegal in Texas
Texas law states that it is illegal to flee the scene of a vehicle accident. A driver who hits another person (whether they’re in a vehicle, on foot, or on a bicycle) is required to do the following:
- Stop driving and stay as close to the scene as they can.
- Provide their information (including name, address, insurance company, license, and vehicle registration number) to the other driver or anyone else who was injured in the accident.
- Determine whether anybody involved requires assistance.
- Provide reasonable assistance to anyone who has been injured.
The penalties for leaving the scene of an accident in Texas can include fines, jail or prison time, and license suspension.
What to Do if You’re Involved in a Hit-and-Run Accident
If you’ve been hit by a driver who flees the scene, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to proceed. Knowing how to handle these situations in advance will help you stay calm and gather the information you need to start building a solid case.
Here’s a breakdown of the steps you should take following a hit-and-run accident:
Stay Calm
Try to remain as calm as possible. Take a few deep breaths before exiting your vehicle or taking any additional actions.
Ensure Safety
Check yourself and others involved in the accident for injuries. If anyone has been hurt, call for emergency medical assistance immediately.
Document the Details
Gather as much information as possible about the incident. This information should include the time and location of the accident, the make and model of the other vehicle, its color, and any other details you can remember.
If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information as well – you may need to reach out to them later to get a statement about the accident.
Take Photos and Videos
Use your phone to take pictures and videos of the scene. Focus on damage to your vehicle or bicycle and any other relevant details (including your injuries). These photos will be crucial when filing insurance claims and police reports, so take plenty (it’s better to have too many than not enough).
Report the Accident to the Police
Call the police and report the hit-and-run. Provide them with all the details you have gathered, including information on the vehicle. This information will be crucial to any potential investigations.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Get in touch with your insurance company as soon as possible and provide them with the details of the incident and any information you have gathered. They can guide you on the next steps and help with the claims process.
Check for Surveillance Cameras
Look around the area for surveillance cameras that may have captured the incident. Businesses, traffic cameras, or residential security cameras could have footage that may help identify the other vehicle.
Contact a Conroe Hit-and-Run Lawyer
A Conroe hit-and-run lawyer can provide guidance on your rights, potential legal actions, and how to navigate the situation. Get in touch as soon as possible to begin building a case.
Keep Records
Keep a detailed record of all interactions, including the names and badge numbers of responding police officers and conversations with insurance representatives. It’s also vital that you retain all medical records related to your accident, including billing records, laboratory results, radiology reports and images, and discharge paperwork.
What If the Driver Is Uninsured?
If you identify the driver and find out that they are uninsured, you might assume that you’re out of luck. That’s not necessarily the case, though.
When you notify your insurance company, inform them that the other driver fled the scene and is uninsured. In situations like these, your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage comes into play.
In Texas, unless you formally rejected this protection, it is likely included in your insurance policy. After your accident, the insurance provider can step in and fill the coverage breach based on your policy’s limits.
How Can a Conroe Hit-and-Run Lawyer Help You?
Hiring a Conroe hit-and-run lawyer can help you navigate the sometimes lengthy and often confusing process of getting compensated following a hit-and-run accident. When you work with a skilled legal team, you can expect support through the following stages:
Independent Investigation
If you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident, you may not have enough information to file a personal injury claim until you can identify the driver who fled the scene.
Conroe hit-and-run lawyers can assist with the investigation process and help you find the driver faster. They can also help you gather additional information that is critical to building a solid case.
Insurance Company Negotiation
Hit-and-run claims are typically covered by your Uninsured Motorist (UM) insurance coverage. However, it’s not always easy to get a fair offer even from your own insurance provider. Having a hit-and-run lawyer on your side can help with the negotiation process and ensure you’re treated fairly. Sometimes, a lawsuit against your own insurance provider may be necessary to get you the benefits you deserve.
Recovering Damages
Hit-and-run lawyers will work hard for you to recover all relevant damages. They will carefully evaluate all evidence, consider all possible scenarios, and ensure you get compensated sufficiently. That way, you can focus on your recovery without stressing over how you’re going to pay your medical bills or make up for the hours of work you’ve had to miss.
What Damages Can a Conroe Hit-and-Run Lawyer Recover?
A Conroe hit-and-run lawyer can help you pursue various damages if you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run accident, including the following:
Medical Expenses
A hit-and-run lawyer can help you recover medical expenses related to injuries sustained in the accident. These expenses may include hospital bills, surgery costs, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and other healthcare-related expenses.
Property Damage
If your vehicle or other property was damaged in the hit-and-run, a lawyer can help you seek compensation for the cost of repairs or replacement. Some personal injury lawyers limit their representation to your bodily injury claim, but they may still offer you some helpful guidance with your property damage claim.
Lost Wages
If you had to miss work due to injuries sustained in the hit-and-run accident, you could be compensated for your lost wages (as well as potential future income losses).
Pain and Suffering
Damages for pain and suffering are meant to compensate for the physical and emotional pain and overall impact of your injuries on your quality of life.
Emotional Distress
Emotional distress damages may be available to compensate for psychological trauma resulting from the hit-and-run accident. Examples include anxiety, depression, and other emotional effects.
Wrongful Death Damages
In cases where a hit-and-run accident results in the death of a loved one, a hit-and-run lawyer can help surviving family members seek damages for funeral expenses, a loss of financial support, and the emotional impact of the loss.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, punitive damages may be pursued to punish the at-fault party for particularly egregious conduct, such as a hit-and-run.
Why Choose Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law?
The hit-and-run lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law have the skills and experiences you need to investigate your case, navigate the claim-filing process, and get fairly compensated for your injuries (as well as other damages).
What separates us from other firms?
Decades of Personal Injury Law Experience
Former judge and board certified lawyer Terry Bryant has hand-picked every lawyer at his practice since starting his firm in 1985. You can trust that every lawyer you work with has your best interests in mind and knows how to fight for clients like you, regardless of how big or influential your opponent might be.
Better Business Bureau Accredited
Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law is also a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business and has been since November 2011. We are honored to have received this distinction, which reflects our dedication to our clients and commitment to providing them with the highest level of service.
Proven Track Record
Our lawyers have a proven track record of working hard for our clients and helping them win their cases. We have numerous client victories under our belt and provide every client with the same level of superior support.
No Fee Guarantee
We also provide all clients with our no fee guarantee. This fee is exactly what it sounds like – unless you win your case, you don’t pay us a thing. That’s how confident we are in our ability to fight for you.
Get a Free Legal Consultation Today
Have you been involved in a hit-and-run accident recently? If so, our team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law is here to guide you through every aspect of your case and help you get the results you deserve.
Contact us now through our online form or by calling (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]
