Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston, Texas: Handling Hit-and-Run Car Accidents

Houston Hit-and-Run car crashes: What victims need to know

A hit-and-run accident frustrates and terrifies victims. They are baffled. You are driving home. All of a sudden someone hits you and just drives away. Not knowing whom, somehow, justice seems all the more remote. However, a good Houston personal injury lawyer can tell you how things are and will battle for your just and rightful cause. In Texas it is illegal to leave the scene of an accident. But Houston has several hundred hit and run accidents yearly. The physically capable victims are not only physically hurt but also have outrageous medical bills, car repairs and lost income. Having a Houston lawyer makes it easier to locate the driver, work up your claim and fight insurance companies that will not pay.

Texas Law on Hit-and-Run Accidents

Under Texas Transportation Code §550.021, the driver is mandated to stop in the event of an accident involving death, injury, or damage to property. Failure to stop is a criminal offense.

• If it results in serious injury or death, it is a felony offense.
• If it results in damage to property, it is a misdemeanor offense.

Even if the driver cannot be located, the victims can recover their losses from the uninsured motorist coverage. A Houston car accident lawyer knows what to do with filing the claims and compelling the insurance company to comply with the law.

Why Legal Services are Necessary for Hit-and-Runs

Evidence is gone the moment there is a hit-and-run. Street cameras are wiped out. Witnesses go crazy. An injury attorney acts quickly to protect your rights.

A good attorney can:

• Verify police reports for inconsistency or evidence.
• Obtain traffic and security cameras.
• Meet with witnesses who observed the accident.
• Re-create the accident with the assistance of experts.
• Negotiate insurance adjusters who would prefer to pay out less.

The majority of the victims settle non-receipt fees they owe without a lawyer. The lawyer’s team ensures each step in the claim is done perfectly and in time, according to Texas law.

Types of common injuries one is likely to find in the case of a hit-and-run accident

The most common types of injury hit-and-run victims will most likely sustain are:

• Whiplash and spinal injuries
• Brain or head injury
• Broken bones
• Bleeding internally
• Slashing and bruising

Minor injuries can lead to chronic pain and doctor bills. A lawyer puts a price tag on overall damages, including hospitalization, rehabilitation, time lost, and suffering and pain. If you were hurt, go see your doctor right away—even if you are okay. Some injury symptoms do not appear hours or days after the accident. Reports from doctors are also proof in your case.

What to Do If You Were Houston Hit-and-Run

You must move quickly as a hit-and-run victim. Every action you take will solidify your case.

1. Call 911. Report to the authorities right away.
2. Take a note. Write down the other vehicle’s color, make, model, or license plate if possible.
3. Witness information. Their testimony corroborates what has occurred.
4. Photograph. Document damage, injuries, and the scene.
5. Seek medical care. This will prove your injury is a result of the accident.
6. Inform your insurer. Report the hit-and-run immediately.
7. Contact an injury attorney. Don’t wait. The law can find the driver or find other avenues of recovery.

How Insurance Functions on a Hit-and-Run Claim

Texas is an at-fault state when it comes to insurance. The policy of the at-fault driver will usually pay in most cases. But the at-fault driver is not around in a hit-and-run. That is where the uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage will come in handy.

Your UM policy pays for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Car repairs

If you are not on UM, then there are other avenues that your lawyer can pursue to get you reimbursed. There are certain victims, for example, who may have accessible health insurance or collision benefits contingent upon case resolution. Insurance firms continue to deny. They’ll insist the injuries aren’t as bad or that you caused the accident. With a Houston personal injury lawyer, they stay in line and battling your case.

Fault Determination in Hit-and-Run

It’s hard to find the driver, but not really impossible. Your attorney employs private investigators to pursue tips.

Some of that could be:

• Cameras where the wreck occurred
• Body shop reports detailing what work would be completed
• License tag numbers
• Cell phone or GPS
• Eyewitness testimony

Whether or not the driver is located, your attorney will be able to follow up on your case under your policy.

Houston Recoverable Damages in Hit-and-Run Accidents

Victims can recover economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are monetary costs like:

• Medical expense
• Lost wages
• repairing or replacing the car

Non-economic damages are for pain, worry, or loss of enjoyment of life. Punitive damages are also recoverable by the victims when the hit-and-run driver is caught. They punish the driver for gross or wanton negligence.

Why Hire a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer

Home-town lawyers know Houston roads, Houston courts, and Houston insurance laws. They even know police crash investigation procedures in the home town. A Houston lawyer offers:

• Free consultation on your case
• No charge unless you win
• Aggressive negotiation with insurance companies
• Use of experts and private investigators

Having legal counsel is a relief too. You heal while your lawyer takes care of the rest.

Texas Statute of Limitations to Sue a Hit-and-Run Driver

Texas has a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident within which to sue a hit-and-run driver. Delays trim your cash potential. There are shorter reporting periods for other types of insurance that cover hit-and-run accidents. Another great reason to have an attorney. 

Justice for Hit-and-Run Accident Victims

Hit-and-run victims must be provided with justice. One injury attorney is motivated by frustration. You may still have a viable claim regardless of whether the criminal is caught. With expert legal representation, you can be blessed with treatment, compensation, and closure to recover. If you’ve been injured in a Houston hit-and-run, call a Texas Houston personal injury attorney today. Don’t wait and let the insurance companies take a ride on your recovery.

Most Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What do I do immediately after a Houston hit-and-run?

Stay calm. Dial 911, document where the accident occurred and go and get yourself a physician. And then call an attorney to protect your rights and handle insurance issues.

2. Am I eligible for damages if the driver is unavailable?

Yes. Your policy of uninsured motorist coverage will pay for bodily injury, loss of wages, and property damage. Hire an attorney and have him file and pursue your claim.

3. When do I need to file a hit-and-run injury claim in Texas?

You generally have two years from the crash. Make it quick because evidence gets spoiled and insurance clocks expire sooner.

4. What happens if my insurance company rejects my hit-and-run claim?

Your attorney can appeal the rejection, introduce new evidence, and sue, if necessary. Don’t settle for an unjustified denial.

5. How much does it cost to employ a Houston personal injury lawyer?

The majority of attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. You owe nothing and only if you win your case.

Last Word

A hit-and-run crash may spin your world upside down in an instant. But with the help of a seasoned Houston personal injury attorney, you don’t have to go through it by yourself. From determining fault to fighting insurance company denial of claims, professional help does matter.