A hit and run accident adds injustice to an already unjust situation. It’s unfair when another driver’s negligence causes you harm. When they run away to avoid responsibility, the unfairness intensifies and can leave you feeling hopeless. Your situation may not be hopeless at all. Reach out to a Houston car accident lawyer from Carrigan & Anderson who can help find a path forward.
Stephen P. Carrigan has 37 years of experience, and David M. Anderson has dedicated his career to fighting against unethical insurance company practices. When you put your case in the hands of a
hit and run accident lawyer in Houston from our team, we are on your side.
Take Steps to Protect Yourself After a Hit-and-Run Accident
Experiencing a car accident causes shock. When the person who hit you rushes away from the scene as if nothing has happened, that shock is even more profound. Knowing what to do after a hit and run, or any car accident if you’re not at fault, can help you take steps that give you a better chance of possibly finding the driver and recouping some of your losses.
Try to notice details. You might be able to remember the color, make, or model of the car. Perhaps you can remember the license plate. Document these details right away, along with a description of the driver. If you’re quick with your phone, snap pictures of the vehicle as it leaves the scene. You should also take photos of the damage to your car, your injuries, and the accident scene overall.
Call law enforcement. They can make an accident report and start a search for the hit and run driver. Witnesses may have seen what happened. Get their contact information. Note any traffic or security cameras mounted nearby. If a business owns the camera, ask the owner to keep the footage.
Get Medical and Legal Help
Go to a doctor to have your injuries diagnosed, treated, and documented right away. Prompt action protects your safety and also supports a claim you could make against the other driver, if they are found, or with other sources of compensation.
Then, reach out to Carrigan & Anderson. A Houston personal injury lawyer can help. We’ll provide direction and lead your fight for justice.
We have offices in Houston, Corpus Christi, and Victoria; and will travel to any corner of Texas if we are capable of preventing an injustice.
A Houston Hit and Run Attorney Can Help
Typically, it is worth getting an attorney after a car accident, and this is especially true with hit and runs. They present obvious complications. We can give you immediate guidance, from helping you get a crash report in Houston, TX, to explaining what to say, or not say, to your insurance company.
Though your insurance company’s job is to protect you, its actual goal is to protect its own bottom line. We can review your policy and handle communication with your insurance representatives for you. Our team can also undertake an investigation to try to identify the runaway driver. We can:
- Review video footage
- Interview witnesses
- Consult with accident reconstruction engineers
- Coordinate with law enforcement efforts
Our attorneys will also maintain data of all your losses to support your claim for compensation from the identified driver, another third party, or your own insurance, depending on the circumstances.
Houston Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Me 361-884-4433
How to Collect Damages From the Hit and Run Driver’s Insurance
If we find the hit and run driver, a Houston hit and run accident lawyer from our team can work to secure damages from their insurance company, provided the driver has insurance. This is the best-case scenario, and your claim proceeds as any other car accident claim.
You may get compensation through settlement negotiations. Our team sends a demand to the driver’s representatives, who usually respond with a lower offer. We continue trading evidence and offers until coming to an agreement.
If the other side doesn’t make a fair offer or stalls the process, you have the right to fight at trial as long as you file your claim within the two- year statute of limitations, established in Chapter 16 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Since it can take time to find the driver, connecting with our team quickly is critical.
Representing the injured in all areas of Texas that extends back over 40 years
Other Pathways for Recovering Damages
Even if located, the other driver might not have insurance. That’s one reason drivers flee the scene of a crash. Some hit and run drivers just cannot be found. Our team can help you find other potential pathways for recovering damages in these situations.
Another Third-Party
The driver may have fled the scene because of intoxication. If located quickly enough, you may also have grounds to sue the restaurant, pub, or store that overserved the driver, according to Chapter 2 of the Texas Code.
Our investigation may show poor road conditions or faulty traffic signals could have contributed to the crash, putting culpability on the government entities responsible for these elements of travel. Count on us to explore every possibility when looking for ways to get you justice.
Your Own Auto Insurance
According to the Texas auto insurance guide, all drivers must carry minimum liability coverage, so they can pay for accidents they cause. Insurance companies must also offer uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. If you opt out of this additional coverage, you must do so in writing.
UM/UIM insurance goes toward covering medical bills, your pain and suffering, car repairs, and a rental car if the driver who hit you doesn’t have any or enough insurance. A Houston hit and run accident attorney can hold your insurance company accountable for honoring your policy and challenge any attempts to deny your claim.
You need a skilled advocate to protect your legal rights and present your claim in such a way as to maximize your recovery.
We are Here for You
Even if the other driver flees the scene after an accident, Carrigan & Anderson is here for you. We know how to find solutions and deliver justice to injury victims.
Connect with a hit and run accident lawyer in Houston for a free case consultation. We’re ready to listen, design a strategy, and get to work.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC we can talk to you about your options and rights.
