Hit and Run Accidents

Every day, thousands of Americans are seriously injured or killed in roadway accidents. Often, they face tremendous disability or, in the most tragic cases, leave behind a grieving family. To add insult to injury, auto wreck victims face astronomical medical bills. When they cannot work, their household bills pile up quickly. This creates a devastating financial situation that can happen to anyone.

When a person suffers devastating injuries because of another driver’s negligence, Texas law provides for compensation. No one should suffer financial ruin on top of an already tragic situation. Though the law has no power to undo the physical and emotional trauma of a severe accident, it can make things better by providing just compensation. Victims of car wrecks are eligible for many types of financial compensation, including the following:

• Emergency room treatment
• Ambulance costs
• Surgery
• Medication
• Hospital stays
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Assistive devices
• Property damage
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Lost income
• Disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death
• Other damages that may occur

In many cases, the at-fault party has insurance. Our law firm negotiates with insurance companies to get the full value of the claim, not the low-ball figure insurance companies so often try to trick victims into accepting. When we get involved, insurance companies change their tune because they know we mean business. If they don’t offer our clients the settlement they deserve, we take them to court and get justice. If you need help with a car wreck injury claim, call now.

Many people wonder what happens when they or someone they love is victimized by a hit and run driver. By driving away from scene of accident, the at-fault party has, in many cases, made it impossible to pursue compensation from his or her insurance company, if the hit and run driver had insurance at all. If you have suffered as a result of someone leaving the scene of an accident, don’t let it worry you. Instead, call us. You are still entitled to compensation and our legal team will get it for you.

What happens after a hit and run accident?

These car accidents occur frequently in Texas urban areas. There are many irresponsible drivers who look out for themselves and themselves alone. These people cause an accident and flee in order to avoid the consequences. Though there are innumerable reasons that people do this, here are the common reasons drivers flee the scene of an accident:

• No insurance
• Under the influence of alcohol
• Under the influence of drugs
• Illegal items in vehicle
• No driver’s license
• Suspended or revoked license
• Arrest warrant
• Immigration status
• Attempt to avoid financial repercussions
• Attempt to avoid criminal liability
• Panic
• Other

If another driver hits you and flees the scene, try your best to get the license plate number. Also, note the vehicle type, color, and any identifying information, particularly body damage caused by the collision. If you see the driver, make a point of remembering his or her description. Call 911 and provide the vehicle description and the direction it fled. If able, collect the names and contact information of any witnesses, and photograph your vehicle and the accident scene.

Never, under any circumstances, follow the fleeing driver. People driving away from scene of accident are sometimes involved in other criminal activity. Any attempt to make a “citizen’s arrest” may result in violence. Let the police do their job.

The authorities investigate these incidents thoroughly. Fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime. Under Texas law, fleeing an accident with serious injuries or fatalities can land someone in prison, especially if there are other aggravating factors. These perpetrators are often apprehended. Prosecutors take these cases very seriously. Everyone had the right to be protected from reckless drivers.

Regardless of whether the other driver is identified and faces criminal liability, you, as the victim, need compensation. The apprehension of the suspect and a successful prosecution does nothing to assist you and your family with the devastating consequences of a serious injury. The medical bills still pile up, and if you can’t work, you may face the loss of your savings, overwhelming debt, and even foreclosure or bankruptcy.

Our firm makes sure that these wrongful consequences never happen to our clients. Whether the at-fault driver is brought to justice or not, we will get you and your family the compensation you deserve. No one should suffer because of other people’s decisions to flee the scene of car accidents. That’s just not right. Call now to get things put right.

How we collect

When the offending driver is identified, we are able to pursue a case against the driver and his or her insurance company. Because fleeing is considered not just irresponsible but morally reprehensible, an additional award for punitive damages often results. Punitive damages are awarded as a way of punishing the actions of the defendant and serving as a warning to others. While an unintentional accident may not justify punitive damages, when the other driver intentionally flees, a punitive damage award becomes likely.

In other cases, the offending driver cannot be identified and brought to justice. Though this is terribly unfair to victims, it is an unfortunate reality in society today. Many people are too poor to afford insurance and flee, never to be seen again. Others are engaged in illegal conduct and probably don’t care to carry insurance. Still others are simply irresponsible and selfish. Whatever the case, you still need compensation.

Our lawyers pursue claims against your own insurance company in these cases. Your uninsured/underinsured motorist protection kicks in when the at-fault driver absconds. Though it would be nice if your insurance company would simply cut you a check for all of your damages, when the injuries are severe and the liability is high, this rarely happens.

Insurance companies often provide low-ball settlement offers. They hope that the policyholder won’t have the legal knowledge to understand the true value of the claim. Insurance companies also hope that the policyholder will accept a lower amount just to avoid the struggle of making the company own up to the full value. The more damages you have sustained, the more true this becomes.

Our legal team takes on insurance companies. We evaluate your claim and determine its true value. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company, so you don’t have to focus on anything but getting better. In cases where the insurance company remains unreasonable, we will take them to court and get you the judgement you deserve.

Car accident claims are amongst some of the largest. Because the injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents can be so debilitating, damages quickly escalate in the tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, and up. Insurance companies have every reason to deny these claims or underpay.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident, you have the right to compensation, including medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost income. No one’s life should be turned upside down by the financial consequences of a roadway accident. Injured people deserve 100 percent compensation for everything they have lost. For a free consultation and immediate personal injury help, call now.