hit and run accident lawyer in houston area

Drivers who have been in a collision have certain legal duties. They are required to remain at the scene, provide assistance to anyone injured, contact emergency services if needed and exchange driver/insurance information with the other drivers involved. Unfortunately, some people ignore these basic obligations and simply drive away. This is called “leaving the scene” or more commonly “hit-and-run.”

If you are a victim of a hit and run, try to remain calm and take these actions to safeguard your health and legal rights:

  • Do not engage in pursuit — When someone flees the scene of an accident, some people feel impelled to chase them down. A hit-and-run driver is of course breaking the law, but the typical motorist has no duty or authority to arrest others. More importantly, giving chase can be dangerous. Someone could be injured or killed in a car chase or there could be a violent encounter if the evading driver is caught.
  • Collect evidence — If possible, photograph the fleeing vehicle or write down the license plate number and a description of the car. If there were any witnesses, get their names and contact information so that the police can reach them. Even if other motorists did not actually see what happened, they might still have valuable information. Some vehicles have dashboard cameras that record and store video of a broad swath of the roadway.
  • Call the police — Contact the police emergency line immediately. Give the dispatcher all of the relevant information. While waiting for the police, be sure to have basic documentation readily available, such as your license, vehicle registration and insurance card.
  • File a report — Give all of the information to the police. Make sure the police make out a report of the incident and be sure to get multiple copies. This will be important for potential insurance claims or pursuing the hit-and-run driver directly.
  • Contact your insurer — Even if the evading driver cannot be identified or located, you may be able to file a claim for money damages. Many drivers wisely maintain uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage, which can pay you compensation if the other driver successfully evades responsibility or was driving without insurance. Note that there might be other coverage available, such as health insurance.
  • Contact an attorney — A qualified auto accident lawyer can advise you on how to preserve your rights to seek damages if the fleeing driver is apprehended. In Texas, leaving the scene is a felony punishable by substantial jail time, especially if the accident involved serious injury. If the driver is convicted, that may establish his or her liability in a subsequent lawsuit.

Hope & Causey in Conroe, Texas focuses its practice on personal injury in Houston and the surrounding areas. Our team makes sure that each client gets the time and attention needed to guide accident victims through complex injury claims. Feel free to contact us online or call 936-441-4673 for an initial consultation.