In Harlingen, Texas, and everywhere in the United States, it’s a crime to flee an accident scene. Anyone who causes an accident, whether minor or not, is required to stop and assess the situation, provide their contact details, and offer necessary assistance to victims. But not all motorists do so.
Potential Damages
If you suffered harm or lost property under similar circumstances, you may be eligible for compensation. Even if the driver is not found, our car accident lawyers may help you collect damages from other parties such as:
- Your insurance company
- The driver’s employer
- Your employer through Worker’s Compensation if you were injured while at work
- Any other responsible party
If you need help with your case, you should contact the caring personal injury lawyers at Lone Star Injury Attorneys. By helping you build a solid case, you stand a good chance of recovering compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Permanent disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
- Wrongful death
- Property damage
Don’t leave anything to chance. Get yourself a knowledgeable Harlingen hit-and-run accident lawyer.
For a free legal consultation with a hit and run accident lawyer serving Harlingen, call (832) 449-8230
Steps to Take Following a Hit-and-Run Accident
A hit-and-run accident can leave you traumatized and angry. There is no excuse for someone causing you harm and immediately fleeing the scene without checking up on you. This is cowardly and should be treated with a high level of seriousness. When a driver flees an accident scene, the Texas Transportation Code 550.021 requires them to stop, provide the necessary information, and offer assistance to the injured. Failure to do so amounts to committing a felony.
If you can, take the following steps:
Don’t Chase After the Driver
For many hit-and-run accident victims, the first instinct is always to run after the fleeing driver. While you may be protecting your rights to compensation by chasing them down to hold them accountable, you may be endangering your life. For example, speeding after them could result in another accident, causing further harm to you and other road users.
Call the Police
Because fleeing an accident scene is a felony, you should contact the police immediately. Apart from helping clear the scene and ensure traffic safety, the investigating authorities will help track down the hit-and-run driver. Their preliminary investigations may also help answer the question of liability.
Seek Medical Attention
If you have been injured, seek medical evaluation right away. Some injuries may not manifest immediately, and it’s imperative that you see a doctor, especially when you feel something is wrong. Visit the emergency room or your clinic and explain that you were in a car accident. The physician will run the necessary tests to ascertain your state of health.
Talk to Eyewitnesses
Before leaving the scene, try to identify eyewitnesses who saw the accident happen. Record their names and contact information. It’s always a good idea to do this yourself instead of waiting for the investigating officer to do it.
Make a Journal
Following the trauma that sets in after a serious accident, your memories may become hazy very quickly. You may forget important information such as the model and color of the hit-and-run vehicle, physical traits of the driver, the direction to which they fled, time of the accident, and the registration plates. To ensure you don’t leave out any crucial leads, you should document your memories in a journal or notebook.
Notify your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company promptly and notify them about your accident. Doing so not only marks the beginning of the compensation process but also allows them to look into the facts of your case independently. But while at it, do not give too much information than is necessary. Let a qualified Harlingen hit-and-run accident lawyer handle the rest.
Harlingen Hit And Run Accident Lawyer Near Me (832) 449-8230
Contact an Attorney if You Have Been in a Hit-And-Run Accident in Harlingen
Many people will always say they don’t need a lawyer when pursuing compensation. While this is true, self-litigation is often unwise. You are likely to get a fair reward when you retain the best attorney to fight for your rights. That’s why you should contact a Harlingen hit-and-run accident lawyer as soon as possible to get your case started.
The pressure that comes with pursuing justice in scenarios where the party at fault cannot be traced is too much for you to handle, but don’t give up. Our Harlingen hit-and-run accident lawyers understand what it takes to get to the bottom of such cases. For this reason, we are eager to help you get the justice you deserve, even if the hit-and-run driver is not found. Contact us to learn more about how we may help.
Call or text (832) 449-8230 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form