What Happens if the Other Driver Leaves the Scene of an Accident in Texas?

Texas Law on Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Texas law requires every driver involved in a collision to stop, exchange information, and help anyone who is injured. Under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 550, leaving the scene of a crash involving injury can be charged as a felony, while leaving the scene of a property-damage crash is a misdemeanor. A driver who flees is breaking the law, but that fact alone does not make your recovery simple. The real challenge is collecting from an unidentified driver, which is why your own policy often becomes the key to your claim.

How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Protects You

When the other driver disappears, your uninsured motorist coverage usually steps in to cover the loss. Texas insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and a hit-and-run driver is treated as uninsured for claim purposes. This coverage can pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits. We regularly help clients file UM and UIM claims so they are not forced to absorb the cost of someone else’s decision to flee.

The risk close to home is just as clear. In 2024, Hidalgo County alone recorded 16,601 reportable crashes, including 57 fatal collisions, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. With that volume of wrecks across the Rio Grande Valley, hit-and-run events and uninsured drivers remain a real concern for local victims.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Hit-and-Run

What you do in the minutes after a crash can decide whether your claim succeeds, so it helps to know what to do after a hit-and-run accident before it ever happens. Try to capture as much as you safely can before you leave the scene.

• Call 911: report the crash so officers can create an official record.
• Document the vehicle: photograph or write down the fleeing car’s make, model, color, and any part of the plate.
• Take photos: capture your vehicle, the road, and your visible injuries.
• Find witnesses: ask nearby drivers, pedestrians, or businesses if they saw the crash or have camera footage of it.
  

These early details provide your claim with a foundation and help us respond when an insurer questions your version of events.

How Insurance Companies Approach Hit-and-Run Claims

Even with strong coverage, insurers do not pay simply because you ask. They review every claim with their own bottom line in mind, and hit-and-run cases invite extra scrutiny. Common defenses include arguing that no contact occurred, that your injuries existed before the crash, or that you waited too long to seek treatment. We anticipate these tactics and gather the evidence that strengthens your case from the start. When an insurer denies a valid claim, we push back directly and keep up the pressure.

What to Expect During Your Claim

Most people have never filed an injury claim, so that the process can feel uncertain after a hit-and-run. We start by reviewing your insurance policy to confirm your uninsured motorist limits and any other coverage available to you. From there, we gather the police report, your medical records, and the evidence from the scene to build a clear picture of what happened.

We then handle communication with the insurance company, present your losses, and negotiate for a fair payment. Many claims settle without a lawsuit, though we prepare every case as if it could go to court. You stay informed at each step, so you always know where your claim stands.

Contact Redemption Law After a Texas Hit-and-Run

A hit-and-run leaves you with questions, bills, and an at-fault driver who may never be identified. We built Redemption Law to take that weight off your shoulders. Led by founder and Managing Attorney Christopher D. Alas, our team handles personal injury claims throughout McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley, and we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we recover for you.

When you hire us, you gain far more than a single attorney. Every client is supported by a case manager, a legal assistant, and a property damage specialist who keep the claim moving and keep you informed at each stage. We evaluate your coverage, gather the evidence, and handle the insurance company so you can focus on healing. If another driver left you injured at the scene, reach out through our contact form to discuss your options today.