The rules of the road help keep drivers across Texas as safe as possible. Unfortunately, violations of those rules are incredibly common, which is one of the reasons there are so many collisions to begin with. For example, people know that they shouldn’t go over the speed limit or get behind the wheel after drinking, but they may choose to do it anyway, without worrying about the impact their decision could have on other people.
There are also specific rules regarding what a person must do after experiencing a collision with another vehicle, pedestrians or personal property. Specifically, drivers in Texas should stop their vehicles and contact law enforcement in the event of a crash that produces either property damage or personal injury.
Victim of a hit-and-run accident? Contact our car accident lawyers to get started on your lawsuit. We will fight to get you the compensation and justice you deserve.
Key Takeaways: What to Do as a Victim of a Hit and Run in Texas
- If you’re the victim of a hit and run in Texas, start with safety and medical care. Injuries can show up hours or days later, and early records matter.
- Call police and report the crash as soon as possible. A report helps create a clear timeline and can support your Texas hit and run claim.
- Gather evidence immediately: photos, video, witness info, and details about the fleeing vehicle. Small details can become big proof later.
- Hit and run cases often involve uninsured motorist coverage and confusing insurance steps. A quick legal review can help you avoid mistakes and protect your claim value.
What Is a Hit-And-Run?
Unfortunately, some people will do just about anything to avoid the responsibility that comes with driving. After they cause a crash that hurts someone or damages their vehicle, they might just drive away. Under the law, that is a crime in and of itself, known as hit-and-run.
If you experienced a collision in which the other vehicle sped off after the crash or you came out of your home or a business to discover substantial damage because someone struck your vehicle, there are certain steps you should take to protect your rights after a hit-and-run in Texas.
In Hit and Run Cases, Evidence Is the Difference Between “Maybe” and “Proven”
Insurance companies often require details and documentation before they take a hit and run claim seriously. But after a crash, evidence can disappear fast—witnesses leave, video gets overwritten, and injuries evolve. The safest move is to document early and keep everything organized. When you do, you give yourself leverage and reduce the chances of a low offer.
Take Photos of Everything & Call Police
Sometimes, with minor fender-benders, it is possible for you and the other driver to reach a resolution without involving the police or your insurance companies. Offering a couple hundred bucks for chipped paint could be all it takes to avoid an expensive insurance claim. However, not everyone has insurance or even a license to drive.
While you may think there is a simple and straightforward solution to your issue, the other driver may feel concerned about possible legal charges or costs associated with the crash. They want to avoid personal responsibility, which could leave you dealing with the legal and financial consequences of their bad decision.
If you witness the other car at all, taking pictures with your mobile phone or trying to memorize and write down the license plate number can make it easier to track the other driver. Even a color and vehicle model can be enough to get law enforcement to take the issue seriously.
Before you even start taking pictures, you will want to call the police and ask them to send someone out, as you will need to file a police report regarding the hit-and-run incident.
If You Find the Other Driver You Can Hold Them Accountable
Locating the other driver is going to be a big part of resolving the hit-and-run issue and its impact on your life. Even if the crash occurred while you were in a business or sleeping in your home, traffic cameras or security cameras nearby may have captured the vehicle before, after or even during the crash.
Not every hit-and-run case ends up with law enforcement successfully locating the driver who caused the crash. You also need to be ready to advocate on your own behalf if you can’t find the other driver. You may be able to file an insurance claim or even seek certain benefits as the victim of a crime, depending on circumstances.
Get a Clear Plan If You’re the Victim of a Hit and Run in Texas
If you were hit and the driver fled, you’re probably trying to solve two problems at once: getting medical care and figuring out how to get your losses covered. The problem is that hit and run claims can feel confusing because you don’t have the other driver’s insurance information—and insurers may ask a lot of questions before they help. You deserve a guide who can explain what to document, what coverage may apply, and how to protect your claim from low offers or delays. The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. helps Texans understand their options after serious crashes, including hit and run accidents. Whether you’re dealing with injuries, missed work, or major vehicle damage, a short conversation can bring clarity. You don’t have to guess your way through the next steps.
No pressure. Just straightforward answers about your Texas hit and run claim.
Contact Our Hit and Run Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you’re the victim of a hit and run in Texas and you’re dealing with injuries, medical bills, or insurance confusion, you don’t have to handle it alone. Contact The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. for a 100% free consultation and get clear next steps for your claim.
Victim of a Hit and Run in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
Get to a safe location, check for injuries, and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Then report the crash and begin documenting what happened while details are fresh.
Yes. A police report helps create an official record and timeline, which is often important for an insurance claim after a Texas hit and run.
If you can do so safely, note the license plate (even partial), vehicle make/model/color, damage, bumper stickers, and the direction the vehicle fled. Ask nearby witnesses what they saw.
Photos of the scene and vehicle damage, medical records, witness contact information, and any nearby video sources (dashcam, business cameras, doorbell cams). Save everything in one folder.
That’s common after crashes. Get evaluated and document symptoms as they develop. Early treatment notes can help connect injuries to the hit and run.
Many hit and run claims involve uninsured motorist coverage and property damage coverage. Coverage depends on the policy and the facts of the crash, so it helps to review your options carefully.
Be cautious. If you’re asked for a recorded statement, avoid guessing and avoid locking yourself into details you’re unsure about—especially around injuries or timing.
You may still have options through insurance coverage. The key is documenting the crash, your injuries, and the efforts to identify the driver so your claim doesn’t get minimized.
Waiting to get medical care, failing to report promptly, losing evidence, giving inconsistent statements, or accepting a quick settlement before the full injury picture is known can reduce the outcome.
If you have injuries, missed work, coverage confusion, delays, or a low offer, a quick consultation can clarify your options and help protect the value of your Texas hit and run claim.
Michael Zimmerman
Michael was born in Houston, Texas. His education at Baylor and Texas State Universities earned him a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987. His major was in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. He finished his legal education at Texas Southern University in 1990, earning a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1990.
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