Hit and Run Car Wrecks in Dallas:
Hit and run accidents are a serious and growing problem in Texas. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, thousands of hit and run crashes occur across the state every year, leaving victims injured, confused, and unsure of their legal options. Recently, a witness alleged that a Dallas city councilman struck a disabled pedestrian and drove away after saying “don’t you know who I am.” His attorney tells a different story and everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty based on credible evidence in a court of law. But the incident highlights a troubling reality: hit and run accidents happen every day in Dallas, and victims are often left wondering what to do next.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a hit and run driver in Dallas or the surrounding area, you have legal rights and may be entitled to compensation even if the driver is never identified. The attorneys at Corbett & Corbett LLP are here to help.
What Is a Hit and Run Accident?
A hit and run accident occurs when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without stopping to render aid or exchange information with the other parties involved. Besides being morally reprehensible, leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime under Texas law. Hit and run accidents are particularly dangerous because the injured party is often left without immediate assistance, and a 911 call from the fleeing driver could literally save a victim’s life.
Legal Duties Following an Accident in Texas
Under Texas law, any driver involved in a car wreck that results in or is reasonably likely to result in injury or death has specific legal duties under Section 550.021 of the Texas Transportation Code. Those duties include the following.
The driver must immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to the scene as possible and return immediately if he or she stopped nearby.
The driver must determine whether any person involved in the accident requires aid and provide reasonable assistance, including calling for emergency medical services if needed.
The driver must remain at the scene and provide his or her name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance information to any injured party or law enforcement officer. The driver must also show a valid driver’s license if requested.
These duties exist for one reason: to protect human life. Leaving the scene knowing someone may be injured shows extreme indifference to the wellbeing of others and is treated accordingly under Texas law.
Consequences for Hit and Run Drivers
The criminal penalties for leaving the scene of an accident in Texas are severe and increase based on the severity of the injuries involved.
If someone died in the accident, the hit and run driver may be charged with a second degree felony carrying up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
If someone suffered serious bodily injury, the driver may face a third degree felony charge carrying up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
If there were no deaths or serious injuries, the driver can still face up to five years in prison or up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $5,000.
Beyond criminal penalties, a hit and run driver will almost certainly face a civil lawsuit for damages. The consequences of leaving the scene of an accident are severe no matter how you look at it.
What Hit and Run Victims Should Do
If you are the victim of a hit and run accident in Dallas, the steps you take immediately after the crash can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Follow these steps.
Call 911 immediately and report the accident. Give the dispatcher as much detail as possible about the fleeing vehicle including the make, model, color, direction of travel, and any portion of the license plate you were able to see.
Stay at the scene and document everything. Take photos of your injuries, your vehicle, the road conditions, skid marks, and any debris left behind by the other vehicle.
Look for witnesses. Bystanders, nearby businesses, and traffic cameras may have captured the accident or the fleeing vehicle on video. Get contact information from any witnesses before they leave.
Seek medical attention immediately even if you feel fine. Some injuries do not present symptoms right away and a medical record established close in time to the accident is critical evidence in your personal injury case.
Do not post about the accident on social media. Anything you post can be used against you by insurance companies.
Contact a Dallas personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Time is critical in hit and run cases and evidence can disappear quickly.
How Can You Recover Compensation When the Driver Is Never Found?
Many hit and run victims assume they have no legal recourse if the driver is never identified. That is not true. Your own auto insurance policy may provide coverage through uninsured motorist coverage. In Texas, insurance companies are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage, and if you have it on your policy, it can compensate you for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other losses caused by an unidentified hit and run driver.
An experienced Dallas personal injury attorney can review your insurance policy, identify all available sources of compensation, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and fight to make sure you receive every dollar you are entitled to under the law.
Contact a Dallas Hit and Run Accident Attorney Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in a hit and run accident in Dallas or anywhere in Texas, do not wait to get legal help. The attorneys at Corbett & Corbett LLP have the experience and determination to fight for hit and run victims and hold negligent drivers accountable. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Time is critical in hit and run cases because evidence disappears and witnesses become harder to find. The sooner you call, the better positioned we are to build a strong case on your behalf. Call us or fill out our online contact form to get started today.
