Our Plano Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Help You Pursue Justice and Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident
When a negligent driver flees the scene, victims left behind need both law enforcement support and legal representation to pursue compensation. Whether you were injured in a Texas car accident or suffered a devastating crash with a commercial truck, the skilled personal injury lawyers at Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group mobilize quickly to collaborate with police to identify the at-fault party. This dual approach increases the likelihood of a successful outcome for your compensation claim. And while the investigation is underway, here’s what else we recommend to build a solid car or truck accident case to pursue a proper settlement.
Why Hit and Run Accidents Often Cause More Legal Problems
Many of these crashes occur at night or in isolated areas and have few witnesses. The combination of poor visibility and delayed emergency response heightens the risk of severe complications from accident injuries. This means greater medical expenses and prolonged time off work, causing more financial difficulties and complex insurance claims.
Additionally, while regular passenger vehicles typically stay within a local area, commercial trucks can cross state lines within hours of an accident. This mobility challenges law enforcement efforts to locate the vehicle and driver. Semis, tractor-trailers, tankers, and other large trucks often have minimal identifying features beyond their DOT numbers and company logos. At night or in poor weather conditions, victims may only glimpse basic details like trailer type or color. Multiple trucking companies might use similar-looking vehicles, requiring investigators to review extensive shipping records and driver logs.
And unfortunately, according to a 2024 news report from KTRK in Houston, “only about 20 percent of hit and run accidents are investigated—and fewer are solved.”
7 Critical First Steps After a Hit and Run Crash
The moments following a Texas truck or car accident are crucial for your safety and future legal case. But following the specific actions below significantly improves the chances of identifying the driver and receiving fair compensation for your injuries.
1. Prioritize safety. Pull your vehicle to a safe location if possible. Turn on hazard lights and set up emergency reflectors if you have them. If you're seriously injured, stay in your vehicle and wait for help.
2. Call emergency services. Dial 911 immediately. Request both police and medical response, even if your injuries seem minor. Some medical conditions like internal bleeding or head trauma might not be immediately apparent.
3. Document vehicle details. Write down or record a voice memo about everything you remember about the fleeing vehicle, such as:
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- Make, model, and color
- Partial or full license plate number
- Distinctive features, such as dents, stickers, and accessories.
- Direction of travel
- Visible damage from the collision
4. Gather evidence. Do your best to take photos and video of your injuries and vehicle damage, the entire accident scene, nearby security cameras, and any debris left behind by the other vehicle.
5. Find witnesses. Look for anyone who saw the accident or the fleeing vehicle and get their names, contact information, and any photos or videos they might have taken. Also request that they stay with you until the police arrive if they can.
6. Preserve information. All documentation relating to the incident is valuable evidence in a hit and run accident claim. So keep detailed records regarding medical treatment and expenses, communication with your insurance company, missed work time and lost income and PTO, and the police report number and responding officer’s name and badge number.
7. Contact a lawyer. Early legal intervention helps secure evidence and protect your rights while law enforcement searches for the negligent driver. At Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group, we take action right away.
How Our Plano Personal Injury Lawyer Strengthens Your Case
It’s easy to think that you don’t have options for recovery in a Texas truck or car accident case involving a hit and run driver. However, with proper legal guidance and extensive investigation techniques, we can often identify the responsible party and hold them accountable.
We start by working closely with law enforcement to locate the irresponsible driver through surveillance footage, physical evidence from the crash scene, potential witness statements, and vehicle repairs at body shops. If you were struck by a commercial vehicle, our team may be able to further identify it through electronic logging data and other tracking systems.
We’ll also help you access medical care through your personal health insurance while pursuing additional compensation sources, such as uninsured motorist coverage or claims against other liable parties.
It’s critical to keep in mind that you have every right to pursue a hit and run case. Leaving the scene of an accident in Texas is a serious criminal offense. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.021, failing to stop and render aid in an accident involving injury or death is a third-degree felony, and convicted drivers may face up to 10 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. Wrongful death motor vehicle accident charges have potential prison sentences of up to 20 years.
At Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group, we have decades of experience helping people throughout Texas and the entire country pursue justice after they’ve suffered injuries because of negligent drivers. Know that we’re on your side to help secure the compensation you deserve.