Do I Need a Lawyer After a Hit-and-Run Accident in San Antonio, TX?

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Texas law requires drivers to stop at the scene of a car accident and take certain steps, like exchanging information, before leaving. If a driver fails to stop at the accident scene, prosecutors can charge them with a hit and run.

A hit-and-run accident will cause many problems for both the driver and the accident victim. The driver could face jail time and other punishment if convicted of a criminal offense, and the accident victim might face significant losses that go unreimbursed unless the hit-and-run driver is caught.

If you’ve been injured in a hit and run accident in San Antonio, TX, you may need legal help. You might be able to recover compensation even if the at-fault driver is not located. Contact the San Antonio hit and run accident lawyers at George Salinas Injury Lawyers by calling (210) 225-0909 for help.

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How George Salinas Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Accident in San Antonio, TX

George Salinas Injury Lawyers has decades of experience fighting for accident victims in San Antonio, Texas. Our San Antonio car accident lawyers have recovered millions for clients injured in various types of car accidents.

We provide every client with the following:

A free consultation to discuss your accident and explain your options
An investigation into your accident to gather evidence and identify liable parties
A calculation of your damages
The opportunity to consult with experts to strengthen your claim
A skilled San Antonio car accident attorney that can handle all communications and negotiations on your behalf

A car accident can cause significant medical and financial hardships. To discuss your options for pursuing injury compensation after your hit-and-run accident, contact George Salinas Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.

How Many Hit-and-Run Accidents Happen in Texas?

Texas has a hit-and-run accident problem; these accidents happen more frequently than you might expect. If you run a query on the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (CRIS), you will find that over 18% of Texas traffic crashes involve a hit-and-run driver.

The 117,075 hit-and-run accidents in Texas in 2022 included the following:

Of these crashes, 15,942 occurred in San Antonio. The city’s hit-and-run accidents killed or injured 2,090 people in 2022.

Your Options After a Hit-and-Run Accident

There are situations in which a lawyer can help you after a hit-and-run crash. And unfortunately, there are also situations where a lawyer cannot provide you with any legal services.

Texas uses fault-based auto insurance. In this system, injured people must file injury claims with the insurer for the at-fault driver. Immediately after a hit-and-run accident, victims typically cannot file a liability claim because they do not know the identity of the driver who hit them.

But hit-and-run victims still have options, some of which may require a lawyer’s assistance. Situations where you may need a lawyer can include:

Your Uninsured Motorist Claim Was Denied

Texas does not require car owners to buy uninsured motorist coverage. However, if you do buy this coverage, you can file a claim after a hit-and-run accident.

Most auto insurance policies consider hit-and-run drivers uninsured until the police identify them. As a result, your uninsured motorist coverage allows you to obtain immediate financial assistance after a hit-and-run.

But insurers can deny claims if they think your accident or injuries were not covered. A lawyer can help when an insurer denies your uninsured motorist claim after a hit-and-run accident.

The Police Identified the Hit-and-Run Driver

If the police identify the hit-and-run driver, you can pursue an injury case against them. You will obtain their insurance information from the police and file a claim.

The hit-and-run driver’s insurance company will investigate the claim even though the policyholder fled the accident scene. The insurer can deny the claim if it determines:

The hit-and-run driver did not cause the accident
The crash did not cause your injuries
You contributed to the cause of the accident

A lawyer can help you overcome claim denials from the other driver’s insurer. And if the insurer refuses to settle the claim, a lawyer can file a lawsuit.

The Hit-and-Run Driver Was Uninsured

Hit-and-run drivers flee the scene for many reasons. Some run because they have active warrants and cannot afford to speak to the police. Others are intoxicated and run to avoid a DUI arrest. Still, others run because they have no insurance. In Texas, over 8% of drivers are uninsured motorists.

If your hit-and-run driver has no insurance, you may need a lawyer once the police catch them. Without a liability insurer on the hook, your only choice for recovering injury compensation is through a lawsuit against the driver.

A lawyer can prepare and file a lawsuit. They can also gather the evidence needed to prove your case and win a jury award.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our San Antonio Car Accident Lawyers

Hit-and-run accidents injure thousands of people in Texas every year. Most people think they can’t recover compensation after such an accident. However, that’s not always the case. To discuss the injuries you suffered in a hit-and-run crash and your legal options for compensation, contact George Salinas Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.