When an accident happens along Route 87 or Route 59, you expect the other driver to pull to the side and wait for the police to arrive. When they do not and flee the scene, not only are they breaking the law, but they are also putting your claim for damages at risk.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, in business for 37 years, you will find a hit and run accident lawyer in Victoria with the skill and resources to help you build your case. Contact our car accident lawyer in Victoria for a free consultation right now.
Why Drivers Flee an Accident
It is not always possible to know why a driver flees the scene of an accident rather than staying to handle the case. The law requires the drivers to both stop and exchange information in a minor accident. If there are serious injuries or damage, then you must wait for the police to arrive. Some of the most common reasons drivers take off include:
- Intoxication: They know they could be found under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Fleeing seems to be the lesser of the outcomes.
- Scared: Some drivers flee because they become scared and are unsure what to do. They leave because they think that is the better outcome.
- Lack of knowledge: Unfortunately, some drivers do not realize they hit someone else and just keep going. Fatigue and distraction are common causes of this.
When you are in an accident, and the driver flees the scene, do your best to capture as much information as you can without chasing after them. That includes the color and type of vehicle, a photo of the license plate, or any description of the driver. Call 911 immediately and tell the police where the driver went. Sometimes they spot them on their way to you.
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.
How a Lawyer Can Help You
After an accident like this, you are likely shaken and worried about your legal options. Your priority should be to seek medical care immediately and document evidence at the scene. As soon as you are able, contact our lawyer for guidance. We will take several steps to protect your case:
- Complete a full investigation. We prioritize getting as much information as possible about what happened. Expect us to review video footage, interview witnesses, and consult accident reconstruction experts. We work alongside the police to seek out who did this to you.
- Handle your insurance company. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, a type of insurance that you purchase to protect yourself in these situations, we will handle notifying the insurance company and building a claim to seek fair compensation. In Texas, uninsured motorist coverage is not mandatory, but insurance companies have to offer it.
- Gather data about your losses. Our legal team will gather evidence to substantiate all of the losses you have. We will provide you with a clear claim to seek the party at fault, if found, or your own insurance company, if possible.
- Seek out third parties involved. There are situations where our hit-and-run accident attorney in Victoria will learn that another party is partially at fault, such as another driver or a commercial company that employs the driver. Expect us to seek fair compensation there.
- Suing the at-fault party. If we find the person who did this, we may seek legal action against them, and if they do not have insurance, we can file a lawsuit against their assets to recover your losses.
When you hire our hit and run accident attorney in Victoria, you gain an advocate with the knowledge and skills to investigate, build your case, and fight for fair recovery of your losses. We do the same level of hard work for you that we do for anyone else. And our personal injury lawyer in Victoria gets results at Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC.
Victoria Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Me 361-884-4433
What Should Happen After an Accident
When you are in a car accident, no matter who is at fault or how much damage is expected, both drivers must pull over and exchange information. Under the Texas Transportation Code § 550.021, drivers must stop and contact police when someone is injured. In all cases, you should take these steps:
- Move to the side of the road, but do not leave the area.
- Call 911 to report what happened. At that moment, provide a description of the driver and car if they flee.
- Tend to your injuries and follow medical recommendations from dispatchers.
- Provide the police with all the information you have and what you remember of the incident.
- Take photos of the damage to your vehicle and any debris. Use a video feed to pan around the area for surveillance cameras.
- Get medical care immediately, even if you feel okay.
- Call our legal team for help with the rest of the process.
We encourage you to allow our team to provide guidance on your legal rights at this point. You may be able to recover a higher level of compensation by filing a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance, if they have it. However, your attorney can also help you navigate your own insurance claim to document all of the losses you have. We handle communications so you do not have to.
When the Driver Is Found
Police often locate the at-fault driver. Thanks to the cameras around town, the process tends to be easier. If found, our legal team will pursue legal action against them for the additional losses you have yet to recover from your own insurance company.
Representing the injured in all areas of Texas that extends back over 40 years
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Victoria Hit and Run Accident Attorney Now
As you focus on getting medical care and dealing with the emotional turmoil of an accident like this, do not put off calling our Victoria hit and run accident lawyer for guidance.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, we are advocates for victims, whether you know who hurt you or not. Expect us to fight for you.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC we can talk to you about your options and rights.
