Houston Hit And Run Accident Lawyer

Have you, or a loved one, been involved in an accident where the driver escaped the scene? Hit-and-run car accidents are a common occurrence today with many offenders getting away with it. You, however, needn’t be a victim of the same; hire an experienced and reputable Houston car accident lawyer to get the justice and compensation you deserve.

At McDonald Worley we have been handling auto accident cases for many years and ready to help. Give us a call today at (281) 623-1906  for a free consultation. Let our premium personal injury law firm investigate the claim and build a case against the offender.

What is a Hit and Run Accident?

As the name suggests, a hit-and-run accident involves a driver that leaves the accident scene intentionally to avoid taking responsibility. The driver will often leave the scene of the crash without providing his/her contact information and/or helping those injured. An accident can be described as hit-and-run if:

• The driver hits a parked or unoccupied car and drives away without contacting the owner of the vehicle.
• The driver causes the accident and flees the scene.

What Should I Do If Involved in A Hit and Run Accident in Houston?

Although many people will panic after an accident in Houston, Texas, acting swiftly can help you get justice and compensation for damages and injuries caused. You (the driver) or a passenger in the vehicle should:

Gather as Much Information as Possible

Try to gather information about the car’s offender by capturing crucial information such as the color, make, and model of the vehicle, its license plate number, and other distinguishing factors. Take pictures of the car if you have your phone/camera with you, as well. Do this before the vehicle gets out of sight. Next, note down the place of the accident, time, weather, traffic conditions, and lighting. This information will help our lawyers to build a case against the offender.

 

Check for Witnesses

Make an effort to collect contact information and names of individuals that witnessed the accident. These witnesses play a vital role in making the case. Your car accident lawyer will need to talk to them to get their testimonies, which can be used in the event the case goes to trial..

Take Photos

Take pictures of the fleeing car, as well as different-angled photos of the accident scene as well. Be sure to take photos of your vehicle, as well.

When Should I Contact My Insurance Company After the Accident?

It would be advisable to call your insurance company immediately after a hit-and-run accident in the Houston area. This, of course, should be done after ensuring you are in a position to do so, or after a medical expert has given you a clean bill of health. You must also alert the police immediately too. They will need to take account of the accident, which can also be used against the hit-and-run driver.

Be sure to share information about the driver/the car with the police as well. This will help them track it down and arrest the lawbreaker. In addition to sharing the accident details with your insurance provider, you’ll need to contact an attorney to help you build a case, or file a claim on the same.

Why Would A Driver Flee an Accident Scene?

While many drivers in hit-and-run flee the accident scene for fear of taking responsibility, some will want to leave the scene if they are in the police’s watch list (for petty offenses), driving an uninsured or unregistered vehicle, or because they aren’t licensed to drive among other reasons. A driver might also be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, hence want to flee the scene to avoid weighty charges.

Is It Possible to Recover Damages from A Hit and Run Accident?

Many people are concerned that they might never recover damages or get compensated from a hit and run accident. While there’s some truth to this, especially if the driver isn’t arrested, you still have a few options to pursue. These include:

File a Claim Against the At-Fault Driver

If the driver is arrested, he/she will be charged for causing an accident and fleeing the scene. He/she may also be charged based on what might have led to the accident; this includes reckless driving, over speeding and driving under the influence of drugs. Filing a claim against the driver can help you recover some, if not all, of the damages. If the driver wasn’t however insured, your only option at this point would be to sue him/her. The driver might yet not have the resources nor wealth to pay for the damages in full.

File a Claim With Your Insurance Provider

According to the Texas Law, auto insurance companies are required to offer UM/UIM (uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist) coverage. As long as you didn’t reject this coverage in writing, then the insurance company is required to pay for the damages. You can also file the claim even after the driver is arrested but unable to pay for the damages. The UM/UIM policy might cover lost income, medical bills, pain, and suffering, as well as partial and permanent disability from the hit and run accident. The policy can also cover the passengers and the driver driving your car under your permission too.

Our hit and run attorneys are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.While you are required to pay a deductible of $250 for a property damage claim, you shouldn’t pay anything for bodily injury claims. While your insurance company may seem to be on your side, they are in this business to make money. That said, the insurance company will try to deny any claims you make or pay peanuts for the same. This is where you need a competent and reputable advocate to protect your rights.

Why Should I Hire A Hit and Run Accident Attorney?

As mentioned earlier, insurance companies will do all they can to deny your claims and pay peanuts, if any. That said, you need someone that understands the law well and can stand up against the insurance companies. Our team of competent lawyers will help build your case by collecting evidence, talking to witnesses, and even meeting up with the insurance company lawyers. We will also speak to the police to determine the leading cause of the accident, as well as encourage the police to find the offender.

If the driver is arrested, he/she will provide details about their insurance company. If for one reason or the other, the driver is underinsured or uninsured, the lawyers will help you file a claim with your insurance provider.. Our lawyers have been taking up against insurance company lawyers for years, hence will help negotiate compensation with your provider. In case your insurance provider is adamant to make a settlement, our lawyers will prepare to take the care for trial. Such would be impossible if you decided to take on the insurance companies yourself.

Hire A Competent Houston Hit and Run Accident Attorney Today

If you, a loved one, or a friend, sustained injuries in a hit-and-run accident, seeking help from a competent lawyer might be the best way forward. At McDonald Worley, we will be happy to help you every step of the way and ensure you get justice and compensation for the damages. Our team of experienced auto accident lawyers will look into the case and advise you accordingly. You can reach us online or make a call to (281) 623-1906 for a free consultation today.