No one wants to be hit by another driver, only to see them speed away. It is a truly disorienting experience and oftentimes the confusion that it creates can lead victims to make decisions that negatively affect their case later. If you’ve experienced this in Houston or anywhere in Southeast Texas, you know that you have the best chance for recovering what you’ve lost when you understand your rights under Texas law and know how to get a hold of an experienced hit and run accident attorney as soon as possible.
The actual requirement of Texas law for every motorist.
During this point, many people will be surprised as Texas has specific legal requirements following an accident. Texas Transportation Code Section 550.023 requires that all drivers involved in a collision come to an immediate halt to the scene of the accident without exception. They then have to share their name, address, car registration and insurance details with the other parties concerned.
The law also mandates that drivers give reasonable assistance to anyone who is injured, not just provide information. This can mean calling 911, arranging for emergency services or in some cases physically picking up an injured individual to take to the hospital for medical attention. Not only does a driver who elects not to do all of these things become a moral failure, but they also risk becoming an actual criminal. They commit an offence under Texas law that could have significant penalties.
What Happens If You Leave the Scene?
Hit and run is a serious crime in Texas, and there will be serious consequences. A motorist who is found guilty of “failing to stop at the scene of an accident with no bodily injury” can be sentenced to up to 5 years imprisonment and $5,000 fine. If the crash causes serious bodily harm or results in death, the prison term also increases, to as much as 20 years, with a $5,000 fine.
What’s interesting is how these numbers make hit and run crimes equal in terms of sentencing exposure to many violent crimes. An intentional decision by the legislature to raise these penalties is in response to the fact that leaving an injured person at the scene of an accident is a serious harm in itself.
What Can You REALIZE As a Victim?
The most crucial item a hit and run attorney will be able to do during your initial consultation is go over with you the entire spectrum of compensation you can seek out. An overwhelming number of victims do not understand the amount of compensation they are entitled to receive since they only think about the medical costs they have at the moment. In fact a comprehensive civil claim might apply to a lot more than that.Emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, and all continuing treatment that is a direct result of the accident.
The loss of wages due to missed work, and loss of future wages.
Any pain or emotional distress that has resulted from the accident and all effects the accident has had on your quality of life.
Medical and burial costs if a family member dies in a Dozer accident
Punitive damages for situations involving gross negligence or a reckless disregard for human life on the part of the driver.
These classifications are more than just legal niceties. Each one is a tangible loss suffered by real people after these accidents. A comprehensive legal team will record all of them and strive to get you the money that you truly deserve.
Why is a fast movement important in these situations?
Hit and run cases are very special in comparison to other personal injury cases. Physical evidence from the scene deteriorates or disappears rapidly. The witnesses are either lost or forget things. There is a regular cycle for surveillance and traffic camera footage to be overwritten. The longer you delay taking legal action, the more likely you are to lose evidence that may help your case and convict the fleeing driver.
Salinas Defense handles cases in Harris County, Fort Bend County, Galveston County, Montgomery County, Liberty County and Chambers County and the firm’s attorneys conduct an independent investigation into each and every case they prosecute. That is, they do not just wait for police reports to come in. They work hard to gather the facts necessary to make the strongest case for you and they are aggressive in doing so – that’s what these cases demand.
What to Do After the Storm:
The first few minutes and hours following a hit and run will determine the remainder of the case. Your legal team will have a lot more to work with if you remain calm and act deliberately during the construction of your case.
The most important thing immediately following the incident is:
Call 911 immediately to notify the authorities of the accident and seek medical treatment for both individuals that are injured, including yourself, even if you feel fine at the time.
Record or record a picture of any information you saw about the vehicle, its color, make, model, direction of travel, or any part of the license plate.
Conclusion
When you are hit and the driver leaves, it is a traumatic event on all levels. The physical injuries are very real. It costs money and that is a reality. It is also very frustrating to have no idea what caused it all and to feel helpless. Texas law is there for a reason: to protect victims in this scenario, and for the penalty for fleeing drivers: legislators realize the danger drivers who flee represent to those who are not at fault. When you have a qualified hit and run accident lawyer in Houston, you’ll not have to face any of this on your own. You can speak with Salinas Defense for free, no-cost and confidential consultations, and you will have 24 hours a day to get answers to your questions and regain control of your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the hit and run driver is found later, after I’ve already settled with my insurance company? Depending on the terms of your settlement and the timing, you may still have options to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver. An attorney can review the details of your specific situation and advise you on what’s possible.
Does Salinas Defense handle hit and run cases outside of Houston city limits? Yes. Salinas Defense represents clients across Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery, Liberty, and Chambers Counties, covering a wide area of Southeast Texas beyond just the city of Houston.
How long does a typical hit and run case take to resolve? Every case is different. Some cases resolve through negotiated settlements within months while others proceed to trial and take considerably longer. The complexity of identifying the driver, the severity of injuries, and the strength of available evidence all play a role in the timeline.
