Drivers involved in traffic accidents that cause significant property damage, personal injury, or death have a legal duty to stop, check on other parties, and exchange personal information. However, there are times when drivers involved in Round Rock car accidents leave the scene without doing any of these things. This is known as a hit-and-run accident, and thousands of them happen across the nation every year.
Since Texas is a fault-based state, hit-and-run accidents in Round Rock can really complicate things for crash victims who want to pursue compensation. Typically, you’ll file a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company and receive benefits for your medical bills, lost wages, and other crash-related damages. In a hit-and-run scenario, you don’t know anything about the hit-and-run motorist or how to get them to pay for the harm they’ve caused.
Just because getting compensation is more challenging doesn’t mean it’s impossible, especially when you hire the experienced Round Rock car accident lawyers at Dow Law Firm to fight for you.
Why Do Hit and Run Accidents Happen?
Drivers might flee the scene of a car accident without exchanging insurance information with other parties or waiting for the police if:
- Someone was seriously injured or killed in the crash, and they’re afraid of the potential civil and criminal consequences
- They were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident
- They were talking on the phone, texting, or distracted in some other way
- There are warrants out for their arrest
- They’re uninsured
- They didn’t realize they were involved in an accident
Leaving the scene of a car accident is a crime in the state of Texas, and it doesn’t mean that there won’t be consequences when a hit-and-run driver is ultimately found. For civil car accident claims, the two-year statute of limitations can be tolled (paused) until the hit-and-run driver is located and can be served with a lawsuit.
How Do I Get Compensation After a Hit and Run Car Accident in Round Rock, TX?
You might have a few options for getting compensation after a hit-and-run collision in Round Rock.
File a Claim For Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If you added uninsured motorist coverage to your car insurance policy, you can file a claim with your insurance carrier to recover those benefits after a hit-and-run accident. Your UM coverage essentially steps in and takes the place of the hit-and-run driver’s insurance benefits, paying up to your policy’s limits. Your insurance company will likely try to recover any benefits paid by the hit-and-run driver once they’re located.
Pursue Compensation From Another Liable Party
More than one party can be liable for a hit-and-run car accident, not just the driver who flees the scene. You can seek damages from anyone who contributed to your Round Rock car accident, even indirectly. Liability is proportionate to fault. The more someone bears responsibility for your hit-and-run collision, the more compensation you can potentially get from them for your resulting injuries.
When Should I Call a Round Rock Car Accident Attorney After a Hit and Run Accident?
As soon as you can. While the statute of limitations can potentially be put on hold until the hit-and-run driver is located, it’s still important to initiate the claims process right away.
When you hire Dow Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys in Round Rock can launch a thorough independent investigation into your hit-and-run accident to understand how it happened, who’s at fault, and what compensation you’re owed. The sooner we can begin scouring the scene for evidence and working to uncover the hit-and-run driver’s identity, the more likely it is that we’ll be successful in helping you recover a substantial monetary award.
We’ve helped clients across the Lone Star State win millions after life-changing accidents. Now, our award-winning Round Rock car accident lawyers are ready to help you fight back after a hit-and-run accident, too. Call us at (512) 240-9951 for a free consultation.