Does Car Insurance Cover a Hit-and-Run Accident in Texas?

Typically, when another driver causes you to suffer injuries in a car accident in Texas, you will file a claim against that driver. You will seek compensation through that driver’s liability auto insurance coverage. However, what happens when the other driver flees the scene, and the police cannot find the driver? Will you have any legal options to recover compensation? Does car insurance cover a hit-and-run accident in Texas?

Your ability to recover compensation after being struck by a hit-and-run driver depends on the type of auto insurance you have. Your uninsured motorist bodily insurance policy (UM) will provide coverage of your medical bills in a hit-and-run accident. If you have uninsured motorist property damage coverage, it will cover your vehicle repairs.

In most cases, the answer is, yes. You may actually have several options available to you. However, because you cannot file a claim with another driver’s insurance company, your ability to recover compensation after a hit-and-run accident will depend on the types of insurance coverage you have purchased such as uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage.

An experienced car accident attorney from Fleming Law will know how to investigate your case, explore all of your insurance options and fight for what you are due. For more than 30 years, we have demanded maximum compensation for auto accident victims and their families in Houston and throughout Texas, including those involved in hit-and-run crashes. We can provide a free, immediate consultation and get to work on your case right away. Contact us today to learn more.

What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident?

If another driver’s vehicle made physical contact with your own vehicle, but the driver fled the scene after the collision, then you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident. Unfortunately, you are not alone. These accidents frequently occur in Houston and communities throughout Texas.

A driver violates Texas Transportation Code §§ 550.021 and 550.023 if the driver flees the scene of a crash that results (or is reasonably likely to result in) the injury or death of a person. If the police eventually catch the driver, then he or she could face a felony conviction. Still, despite those possible consequences, many drivers flee anyway because they:

• Don’t have a driver’s license (or have a suspended license)
• Have warrants against them (possibly for other serious offenses)
• Lack liability auto insurance (the Insurance Information Institute estimates that 14.1 percent of the state’s drivers are uninsured)
• Are impaired by alcohol or drugs
• Stole the car or otherwise lacked the owner’s permission to use it.

In reality, police rarely catch hit-and-run drivers. If the accident occurs in a heavily populated area like Houston, tracking down the driver can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Still, you can take steps to protect your rights and pursue compensation if a hit-and-run driver injures you.

What Should You Do If You Are in a Hit-and-Run Accident in Houston?

If another driver hits your car and fails to stop, don’t try to chase the driver. Instead, you should try to do as much of the following as possible:

• Call the police. Dial 911, describe the crash and give any information that can help the police to locate the driver. For instance, you may have a license plate number you can share or the color, make and model of the car. The police can also secure the accident scene and prepare a crash report.
• Gather evidence at the scene. If you can, try to take photos of the crash scene, including your vehicle and surrounding skid marks and debris. You should also get the names and phone numbers of witnesses. All of this information can help to establish that another driver actually hit you. If you are too hurt, ask a passenger, family member, friend or bystander for help.
• Seek medical attention. If the EMTs do not immediately take you to the hospital, you should see a doctor on your own as soon as possible. A timely diagnosis of your injuries will play a key role in any hit-and-run insurance claim that you file.
• Get a copy of the crash report. Within a few days after the crash, the police report should be available. You can go directly to the agency such as the Houston Police Department or Harris County Sheriff’s Office, or you can go online. The fees for a certified copy typically range from $6 to $8.
• Report the accident to your insurance company. Your insurer probably requires you to report the accident. If you fail to comply with the policy, the insurer may deny any hit-and-run insurance claim that you file. So, don’t wait too long to report your crash.
• Get help from a lawyer. The sooner you get an attorney involved in your hit-and-run case, the better off you will be in the long run. At Fleming Law, we make it easy for you to get legal help. We never charge for initial consultations, and you will pay no costs or fees unless we recover compensation for you.

What Types of Insurance Can Help You After a Hit-and-Run Crash?

If the police catch the driver who caused your accident, you can follow the traditional route for seeking compensation. In other words, you can file a claim through the at-fault driver’s liability auto insurance. However, if the driver gets away – again, that’s highly common – you may have many options available through your own auto insurance. When you work with Fleming Law we will review your policy with you and explore options that may include:

• Uninsured Motorist (UM) Bodily Injury – Insurance companies must offer this coverage. Unless you rejected it in writing, you should have this coverage available to you. It can cover your medical costs, lost income, disfigurement, permanent or partial disability and pain and suffering damages – up to your policy limits.
• Uninsured Motorist (UM) Property Damage – This coverage can pay for your vehicle repairs or provide the “actual cash value” for your vehicle if the insurance company deems it to be “totaled.” Most policies also cover the costs of a rental car, too.
• Collision – This is an optional type of insurance coverage. However, if you are financing your car, the lender may require you to have it. Like UM, it can cover the repair or replacement of your vehicle. Unlike UM, you will not need to show that another driver was at fault.
• Medical Payments – Many people today have this coverage. It can cover medical expenses or, if you lost a loved one, burial and funeral expenses as well (up to the policy’s limits). Like collision coverage, you can be eligible for this coverage regardless of who was at fault.
• Personal Injury Protection – Unless you rejected it in writing, you should have at least $2,500 in PIP coverage. It can pay for your medical bills as well as up to 80 percent of your lost income and caregiver expenses. This is another type of no-fault coverage.

The Most Common Questions About Hit-and-Run Insurance Claims

Hit-and-run accidents can lead to confusion and frustration. It is important to work with an attorney who will explain your rights and options to you in clear, easy-to-understand terms and answer any questions you may have. Two common questions that our Houston car accident attorneys hear are:

• Do I have to pay a deductible for a hit-and-run insurance claim? It depends on what type of claim you file. For instance, you will not pay a deductible for a UM bodily injury claim. However, you will pay a $250 deductible for a UM property damage claim.
• Will a hit-and-run claim increase my insurance rates? No, an insurance company cannot raise your premiums based solely on the fact that you were in a hit-and-run accident. However, if your own negligence contributed in some way to the crash, the insurer may try to use that fact to raise your rates.

How Can a Lawyer Help You After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

Even though you deal with your own insurance company, seeking compensation in a hit-and-run insurance claim is rarely an easy, straightforward process. Insurance companies want to protect their profits. So, despite the fact that your insurer has collected your payments, you should expect the company to look for ways to deny or minimize your payout. That’s why you need to have an experienced Houston car accident lawyer on your side.

For instance, insurance companies often try to avoid paying claims by arguing that no contact ever occurred with another vehicle. The attorneys of Fleming Law will thoroughly investigate your crash, including gathering and analyzing all photos, video, witness statements and other evidence. We will vigorously challenge any unfounded claims that no contact occurred or that you were somehow at fault in the crash.

We will also carefully calculate all of your damages. As part of that process, we will collect and review your medical records in order to establish the severity of your injuries. We may also consult with medical experts.

We are highly experienced negotiators who will demand a full and fair settlement of your hit-and-run claim. However, if necessary, we will be ready to fight for you at trial. In fact, attorney Michael P. Fleming is among the small percentage of Texas attorneys who is Board Certified as a specialist in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Contact Our Houston Car Accident Law Firm Today

If another driver caused you to suffer injuries or the loss of a loved one in an auto accident, you should not be left with the burdens of medical expenses and other significant losses – regardless of whether the other driver is found. Fleming Law will fight for maximum compensation for you and help you to get through this difficult time. Don’t wait to act. Call or reach us online today to get started with a free consultation.