How to Report a Hit & Run Collision in Texas

Hit and run accidents happen often, and when they do, they leave victims unsure of what steps to take. If you are in an accident of any magnitude, and the other driver fails to stop, call 911 as quickly as possible. Getting medical care right away could protect your health. There are several steps to take to report a hit-and-run collision in Texas once you are safe, including calling a lawyer.

Take Action Immediately to Protect Your Future

Calling 911 helps get medical care to you right away. It also alerts the police to what occurred. They can immediately start looking for the at-fault party, especially if you can provide specific information about the vehicle or driver.

By calling the police, you also preserve your right to seek financial compensation. The police are alerted at that moment about the accident and will open an investigation to find the person who fled. If they come to the scene of the accident, you generally will need to update the police on any details you have later.

Go to the hospital right away. Be sure that your injuries are fully documented at this time. Even if you seem to feel safe and not injured, you may not feel all of the injuries just yet. Getting to the hospital also helps document what you remember and what happened to you.

Contact the Insurance Company

If you have uninsured motorist insurance, you will need to contact your policyholder to report the incident. It is critical that you do this as soon as possible, or allow your car accident attorney to handle the process for you.

If you decide to contact your insurance agent directly, keep the following in mind:

• Do not admit fault in any way. Do not say anything about what you were doing, but instead state that you were hit and the person fled.
• You do not have to have the police report information. They can obtain that information. Be careful about providing too many details. A misstatement could create confusion and result in a denial of coverage.
• You do not have to file a claim yet. At this point, you should only be informing the insurance company of the incident. You will file a claim later when you know what your losses are.

To minimize risks in this process, seek the guidance of a hit-and-run accident lawyer. With an attorney by your side, you will have better insight into your rights and what you should and should not tell the insurance company.

Inform the Texas Department of Transportation

You should also file a report with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Doing so is required if you sustain or cause $1000 or more in damage, suffer injuries, or the incident results in the death of a person. Typically, if the police arrive at the scene of the accident, you do not need to take this step. If they did not come to the scene for any reason, you have 10 days from the date of the accident to file a report.

Protect Yourself with Legal Guidance

For years, The Doan Law Firm has worked to support victims facing intense injury and losses from hit-and-run drivers. We can help you as well. Set up a free consultation with our hit and run accident lawyer in Texas.