Being in any kind of car accident can be a very stressful and traumatic experience, but when the person who hit you leaves the scene it can leave you wondering what to do and who will be responsible for helping you recover from this horrible event. Typically in a car accident, the collision happens and both cars pull over to the side of the road to exchange information. The instant the other driver chooses to drive away and not take responsibility for their actions, this accident becomes a hit and run. Texas ranks amongst the top ten worst states for hit and run accidents. If you are injured in a hit and run accident, it is critical to find an experienced injury lawyer to help guide you through the process of claiming the compensation you are owed.
In Texas, all drivers involved in a car accident are legally required to move their vehicles to a safe location if able to do so with the damage caused by the accident. This is to keep all drivers involved safe from other drivers on the road after the accident happens. All persons involved should check for any type of injury that may require immediate medical attention. If there were any pedestrians involved in the crash, they need to be checked on as well. Emergency services and the police should be called to report the accident right away – even if it does not look like anyone was injured seriously as they could be in shock. Serious injuries can happen and not present themselves right away. All drivers involved should exchange information including identification (driver’s license), and contact and insurance information.
If a driver involved in the car accident speeds away and does not exchange information with you, it is crucial that you attempt to gather any identifying information about them as quickly as possible. What kind of car hit you? What was their license plate number? What was the make and model of the car? Was the driver male or female? Old or young? What direction did they drive off in? Can you snap a picture of the car quickly before they drive away? Do you have a dash camera that recorded the accident? All of this information will be important and you will need to let the police officer writing the accident report know everything you remember.
While you may be tempted to drive after the other car, staying at the scene of the accident is important because you are still legally responsible for remaining at the crash scene. There are legal consequences that come from leaving the scene of a Texas car accident. The resulting criminal offense can range from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on the severity of injuries and car damage involved. The police can charge the driver who ran if they are able to link a particular vehicle to the crash, which is why it is so important to try to remember as many details as you can about the car that hit you. The sooner the police are made aware of the accident, the sooner they can start tracking down the driver that hurt you.
After talking with the police, make sure to get a copy of the police report and take pictures and video of your vehicle as evidence. Write down as much as you can remember as soon as possible so that you have an accurate picture of what happened during the accident. If there are any witnesses to the accident, speak to them and ask if they have any identifying information about the other driver. Ask for their name and contact information for your insurance company and attorney.
While the accident may not have been your fault, you will still need to call your car insurance company to report it. The insurance adjuster will be experienced with hit and run accidents and will open an insurance claim for damages. Make sure to give them copies of all of the information obtained about the accident. You will also want to hire an attorney right away. While insurance companies are there to help their policyholders, they may not want to compensate you fairly. Having an attorney on your side will help keep the process fair.
It may take time for injuries to appear after being in a hit and run accident. Seek medical attention immediately if you start to get severe headaches, feel dizzy or nauseous, have back, neck, or shoulder pain, or just do not feel well in general. After the accident, your body may be in shock and it could take 24 hours to a week for injuries to appear. Make sure to update your insurance company and your attorney about any medical conditions you are treated for as a result of the hit and run accident.
South Texas Hit and Run Attorneys
If you or your family have been involved in a hit and run accident, you may be left not knowing what to do. Victims do not have to handle this process alone. By selecting quality legal representation, the injured won’t have to worry as much about their next steps because they will have the guidance and support of an experienced hit and run accident attorney. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident, contact the Weslaco car accident lawyers at Ezequiel Reyna, Jr. Law Office today to discuss your case. There is limited time to act following a motor vehicle accident in Texas, so don’t delay.
