Hit & Run Accidents

Any type of accident is a traumatic experience, but a hit-and-run accident can be quite stressful because of the unknown identity of the driver who left the scene. In the moment you are facing physical injury, as well as the realization that the driver at fault might not be held accountable for their actions.

The reality is that there are many legal complexities to deal with when you can’t immediately identify the at-fault driver. The most important thing you can do is hire a hit-and-run accident lawyer in McKinney as soon as possible. This legal help will improve the likelihood that you receive compensation to cover your medical bills and more.

Our team at Wormington & Bollinger is here to assist. We bring years of expertise in handling hit-and-run cases and know the best ways to navigate the legal challenges you are facing. If you or a loved one is the victim of a hit-and-run accident, then we invite you to schedule a consultation to learn more about your legal options.

What Should You Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

The way you handle the situation during and after a hit-and-run accident will have an impact on your ability to receive compensation for your claim. Your immediate priority should be focused on safety and medical care. Call for emergency services right away, and be proactive with first aid if necessary.

Regardless of how severe your injuries are, it’s best to seek medical attention as soon as possible. A full check-up and evaluation are essential to document early symptoms and determine if any underlying problems need to be treated. Sometimes, accident injuries don’t start to show symptoms immediately, which is why ongoing medical services are sometimes necessary to understand the full extent of the injuries.

Never walk away from the scene before a police report is filed. Even if there are no perceived injuries, you need to call the authorities to ensure the accident is documented and a police report is on file.

If you are able to, start collecting evidence from the accident scene. For example, take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and damage that occurred. Collect contact information from the involved parties and make sure to ask for their insurance policy details. Ask witnesses for their contact details and ask for written reports about what they saw when the accident happened.

Always call a hit-and-run attorney in McKinney as soon as possible. The sooner you hire legal services, the higher the likelihood that you will be able to receive fair compensation for your injuries. Our legal team at Wormington & Bollinger is here to help build your case from the beginning. We can assist with the investigation, evidence collection, negotiations, and more.

Texas Hit-and-Run Laws and U.S. Hit-and-Run Laws

Specific state and federal laws are in place regarding hit-and-run accidents. Here’s what you need to know:

Texas Hit-and-Run Laws

In the state of Texas, it’s a criminal offense if someone leaves the scene of an accident without stopping to provide assistance or information. These criminal charges can result in various penalties for the hit-and-run driver, such as fines, possible jail time, and a suspension of their driver’s license.

Texas laws allow for hit-and-run accidents to result in both criminal and civil cases. Even if the driver is convicted in a criminal case, accident victims can seek compensation for their injuries through a civil case.

U.S. Hit-and-Run Laws

The specific legal processes and penalties vary from state to state. But in most places throughout the United States, the consequences are quite serious for drivers who leave the scene of an accident.

If the hit-and-run accident includes a fatality or occurs across state lines, then federal authorities are involved in the investigation and prosecution of the case.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Other Compensation for Hit-and-Run Accidents

Insurance settlements can be more complicated when you don’t know the identity of the driver at fault. The good news is that you might be able to receive compensation through uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage through your own insurance policy.

UM/UIM coverage is a good thing to add to your personal insurance coverage, because it gives you the option to recover compensation if the other driver can’t be identified or doesn’t have sufficient insurance to cover your needs.

Your Texas hit-and-run lawyer can also offer advice about seeking compensation through your collision coverage and personal injury protection (PIP). Each situation is unique, which is why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for every hit-and-run case.

In Texas, insurance companies are required to offer UM/UIM coverage for every policy. But drivers can choose to reject this coverage. Check your policy to see if you have this coverage because it can be a necessary protection if you are in an accident.

Filing a claim through uninsured motorist coverage can give you access to various types of compensation, including medical expenses, treatments, rehabilitation, lost wages (current and future earnings), property damage, pain and suffering, and wrongful death.

Statute of Limitations in the State of Texas

If you are planning to seek hit-and-run compensation in Texas, then you must be sure that the claim is filed within two years. But don’t wait until this statute of limitations expires. The faster you start gathering evidence, the better likelihood you will have of building a strong case.

This statute of limitations can vary in other states. So, if the accident occurred in a different location, then it’s best to receive specific guidance from a hit-and-run lawyer who is licensed to practice in that area.

While there are specific laws managing statute of limitations for personal injury claims, there may be exceptions at times. For example, if the case involves minors or government entities, then the timeline can be extended or shortened depending on the circumstances. An experienced lawyer can offer specific advice regarding the ideal timeline for your case.

Unique Challenges Faced by Hit-and-Run Accident Victims

Legal services for these types of accidents are unique compared to other accidents. Make sure that you hire the best hit-and-run attorney in Texas to avoid some of the common pitfalls that might be faced when building your case.

Driver Identification: Since the driver at fault ran away from the scene, it’s likely that law enforcement will have a difficult time finding the perpetrator. This part of the investigation can be especially challenging if there are no witnesses or cameras.

Insurance Companies: Another difficult element of this type of accident is dealing with the insurance companies. They are motivated to minimize payouts and will sometimes even deny claims for hit-and-run accidents. If you are going to receive fair compensation for hit-and-run accidents in McKinney, then you need to make sure to hire a lawyer with relevant experience.

Emotional Impact: Victims of hit-and-run accidents often experience emotional distress, especially because of the uncertainty of not knowing who was responsible. These emotional challenges can be difficult to manage without professional support.

Just because there are common challenges with hit-and-run compensation, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pursue your case. There are often solutions that can be used to help you access a settlement for your injuries. A consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney is the best way to explore the legal options that are best for your unique circumstances. Our team at Wormington & Bollinger is here to help.

Why Choose Wormington & Bollinger for Hit-and-Run Accident Cases?

When you are choosing a hit-and-run lawyer in McKinney, you deserve to work with a team you can trust: Wormington & Bollinger. Our law firm has many years of experience handling these types of cases, and we are here to help you secure the compensation that you deserve. Even if the driver isn’t found, there are still legal options that you might be able to pursue.

We are dedicated to conducting a thorough investigation for each of our clients. Our legal team knows the best solutions to work with law enforcement in an effort to identify the at-fault driver. We also take an aggressive approach when negotiating with insurance companies to maximize the potential compensation that you can receive.

If you choose Wormington & Bollinger, rest assured knowing that you can receive quality legal services without paying anything out-of-pocket. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you don’t pay any legal fees until we win your case. For this reason, our team is motivated to ensure a successful outcome for every client we work with.

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