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Steps to take if you are injured in a hit and run accident in Texas

What should I do after a hit and run accident?Steps to take if you are injured in a hit and run accident in Texas

The Shock of a Hit and Run

There are few events in life that are as startling — and terrifying — as a hit and run accident. After the immediate shock and horror of the actual accident, there can be a sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach when you realize that the other driver has fled the scene. If you’ve found yourself in such a vulnerable position, what are the best ways to empower yourself? When you’re involved in a hit and run accident in Texas, there are a number of steps that you should take in order to protect yourself. Although you may not be able to control what happened, you can call the shots moving forward.

The Most Crucial Step: Moving Yourself Out of Harm’s Way

There is nothing that can prepare you for the shock of a hit and run accident, but it is imperative that you pay close attention to your surroundings — and your body — in the minutes right after the accident. Take a quick inventory of yourself and everyone in your vehicle. Are they any impending crises? Has the other vehicle left your car in a vulnerable position that could invite even more accidents? Have any electrical fires been sparked? Make a quick assessment of where you’re at — and move if necessary. Call emergency services immediately. If you’re not able to access your phone right away, request that a bystander call 911 so that you and everyone in your car will receive medical attention as soon as possible. The goal is to get the authorities — and first responders, if necessary — on the scene as soon as possible.

Were You Sideswiped While Parked?

As any car crash attorney will tell you, not all hit and run accidents occur while you are in the vehicle. On one hand, this can seem like a fortunate turn of events. After all, you were physically spared from the danger. However, when you aren’t on the scene at the exact moment of an accident, it can be hard to piece together the chain of events. You’ll want to be especially careful about documenting the damage to your vehicle — and it definitely will serve you to survey the local landscape and see if any homes or businesses may have cameras outside. Check your car for any notes that a witness may have left. Take whatever actions necessary in order to get the police out to your vehicle and make a report. Although you weren’t in your vehicle at the time of the accident, you should still follow all of the important steps.

Remain Calm After the Accident — and Try to Remember as Much as You Can

Once you are certain that your safety has been secured, it’s important to focus on gathering whatever documentation you can. It can be easy to become caught up in the moment, but one of the most empowering things you can do in this scenario is to stay focused and glean as much information as you can about the vehicle that hit you. Details such as color, make and model can make a world of difference. Did the car have any identifying features such as a prominent sticker or a broken tail light? You’d be surprised at how the little details can narrow down who exactly is responsible for a hit and run accident.

Did Anyone Else See the Accident?

Also, you will need to survey the scene for possible witnesses. One of the benefits of the technological age is that you may discover that another driver has captured the incident on their dash cam. Look around you and see if there are any local businesses or private residences that seem to have cameras. Even if you weren’t able to record the license plate number yourself, you may find that a nearby camera has captured an unobstructed view of it.

Do Not Leave the Scene

Whatever you do, remain at the scene of the accident. Although a traumatic car crash may leave you with a fight-or-flight feeling, recognize that leaving the scene will get you nowhere — and it will take away every bit of power that you possess when it comes to making your case. No matter how long it takes for the police to arrive, wait for them so you can record your recollection of what happened. The police report is one of the most crucial components of your case; it’s one of the first things that any car accident lawyer will ask you about, so make sure you give the most detailed account of the accident that you can.

Document the Scene with Photos and Video

As soon as it is safe to do so, be meticulous in taking photos of the accident scene. If you can, take video of the streets, street names, and intersections involved in the accident. Record the damage on your vehicle as well as any damage to public property. You’ll also want to collect the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident — or nearby establishments that may have recorded it on their cameras. As any personal injury lawyer will tell you, there is no such thing as gathering too much information when it comes to a hit and run accident.

Secure a Copy of the Police Report When Possible

In the state of Texas, you should be able to request a copy of the police report within a few days of the reported incident. The faster you have the police report on hand, the easier you will make things for the car accident attorney who works on your case. Getting your documentation in order gives you the best possible advantage when you’re advocating for yourself in the wake of a hit and run incident.

Reach Out to a Hit and Run Attorney

As soon as you possibly can, you will want to contact a hit and run lawyer who can walk you through the next steps of the process. Being the victim of a hit and run car crash can make you feel powerless, and taking matters into your own hands can be extremely empowering. After all, any car accident can be devastating. Chances are that you or your passengers will require medical care and physical therapy, and a personal injury attorney can help you get started on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

Work with an Experienced Car Crash Lawyer to Communicate with Your Insurance Company

It’s important to remember that hit and run accidents are different from your standard car accidents. After a normal car accident, most drivers in Texas will swap license information, registration and insurance details. After a hit and run accident, however, this is not the case. As you and the authorities work to uncover who is responsible for the accident, your attorney will be communicating with your insurance company to determine the next steps forward.

Do you Have PIP (Personal Injury Protection) Coverage or Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Both PIP and uninsured motorist coverage can make life a lot easier for you after a hit and run accident. You may even want to increase your PIP coverage if it’s possible for you to do so. In the real world, unfortunately, people do not always behave the way we expect them to after an accident. This type of coverage can help to safeguard you in the event of many different instances. These days, you never know what you’re going to encounter when you take to the road; insuring yourself properly can prevent a lot of hassles and heartache in the future.

What Are Common Reasons for Someone Doing a Hit and Run?

When it’s been drilled into every driver what to do after an accident — and with the consequences for getting caught being fairly severe — it’s only natural for victims of these incidents to wonder why someone would flee the scene of the accident.

  • Lost License: First, you’ll often find that hit and run drivers are operating their vehicles without a license. Whether they have physically lost it or it has been suspended for DUI or non-payment of license fees, many hit and run drivers will later attribute their behavior to not having a license.
  • Taking Someone’s Company Car: Another common reason for fleeing is driving someone else’s company car. Let’s say that someone lets their friend take their company car out for a spin — and then that person gets into an accident. The friend may panic at the thought of potentially jeopardizing someone’s position and work, and they may leave for that reason.
  • No Insurance: Not having car insurance is another popular reason cited by hit and run drivers. In Texas, it is the law that drivers must carry car insurance — and they must maintain proof of this insurance whenever they are behind the wheel. The fear of being caught without insurance definitely motivates the actions of some hit and run drivers.
  • Pre-Existing Warrants: For those who have been in trouble with the law in the past — and fear that they may be taken into custody immediately after being stopped and identified — sometimes they see no other way out than to flee the scene of the car accident. Unfortunately for them, a hit and run incident only tends to worsen their legal situation and pile even more woes onto an already messy problem.
  • Carrying out a Crime: It’s important to stay vigilant when you’re on the road and not to lose your temper even if you have become the victim of a hit and run. Those who are fleeing the scene of another crime often will have no qualms about hitting a car as they’re getting away from their initial crime scene. In fact, chances are that the vehicle they are driving may be stolen and they truly don’t care what happens to it. You may even see that the authorities are in hot pursuit of the person who hit you, so be sure to stay where you are and wait for a police officer to help you.
  • Under the Influence of Drugs and/or Alcohol: You will also find that many drivers who commit hit and runs are actually impaired at the time of the incident. Realizing that they are over the legal limit, they may attempt to evade the authorities — and you.

The Bottom Line: Important Tips to Remember

In the wake of a hit and run accident, it can sometimes be easy to let your emotions unravel. Whatever you do, do not discuss your medical conditions or injuries with an insurance adjustor. Allow your personal injury attorney to do the talking for you. You’ll often find that initial consultations are free, so there should be nothing holding you back when it comes to securing a great lawyer. For safety’s sake, do not attempt to track down the person who caused your accident and then fled. As mentioned above, there may be any number of nefarious reasons why someone has committed a hit and run. If you obtain any information about their identity down the line, bring these details to the authorities and do not attempt to avenge the accident in any way. Also, in the age of sharing on social media, everyone must be reminded that it’s important not to post about the accident. Any experienced hit and run lawyer will warn you about this, because it can end up affecting your case later on. Do not post photos or details of any kind — this can come back to haunt you at any point in the investigation.

Keep Calm and Get a Great Car Accident Attorney

Although it can be emotionally draining to be the victim of a hit and run accident, the best way to rise above the incident is to remain calm and listen to your lawyer. Allow them to do the heavy lifting and instruct you as your case proceeds. This will place you in the best possible position moving forward.