After being in a car crash, your first concern should be to take care of your injuries, but you may soon find that your medical costs and other expenses could be very high. People injured in hit and run car accidents in Beaumont, TX are often worried about where to get the compensation they need to pay for their medical treatments and other expenses. Without knowing who the at-fault driver is, it can be harder to know where to get the financial assistance you need and deserve.
Fortunately, our skilled car accident attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris have extensive experience with insurance claims and civil lawsuits even after at-fault drivers flee the scene.
Reasons Why People Leave the Scene After an Accident
Texas law outlines the duties that drivers must follow if they strike another vehicle and someone suffers an injury or there is vehicle damage in Texas Transportation Code Section 550.023. Drivers must give their contact, insurance, and registration information and show their license. They should also render reasonable medical assistance, such as by calling for an ambulance. As explained in Texas Transportation Code Section 550.024, if a driver strikes an unattended vehicle, they should try to locate the vehicle’s owner or leave their contact information in a conspicuous spot on the vehicle. Failure to adhere to these laws could result in criminal consequences if the police later locate the at-fault driver.
Unfortunately, for various reasons, not every driver follows the law and gives their contact and insurance information. Some of the most common reasons that people flee a crash scene are as follows:
- The driver panicked and was afraid to face the potential legal consequences
- The driver did not have a valid driver’s license
- The driver was drunk or using drugs
- The driver was in a stolen car
- The driver had no insurance
- The driver was facing unrelated criminal charges
- The driver was an undocumented immigrant and feared being detained
- The driver did not know that anyone suffered an injury and did not think there was any vehicle damage
Our seasoned Beaumont attorneys know how frustrating hit and run collisions can be and could work with you to fight for your rightful compensation.
Possible Sources of Financial Compensation After a Hit and Run Injury
Our seasoned attorneys could help you seek compensation from the appropriate parties. In a traditional motor vehicle accident case, an injured person looks to the insurance provider of the at-fault driver to get the compensation they need to cover the cost of their injuries and other losses. After a hit and run crash, our Beaumont attorneys could work with the police and perform our own thorough investigation to help to identify the at fault driver.
We could speak with witnesses, comb through surveillance and traffic camera footage, and search for other evidence that points to the driver. If our legal team is able to identify the at-fault driver, we could help you file the appropriate paperwork with their insurance company to obtain benefits, and pursue damages in a civil lawsuit against the responsible driver.
We could also help you seek benefits from your own insurance provider under your underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage in your policy.
Talk with a Beaumont Attorney After a Hit and Run Injury Today
Injuries from hit and run car accidents in Beaumont can interfere with your life, but they do not have to control your life. Take control back by talking with a personal injury attorney from Schechter, Shaffer & Harris who could help you fight for justice. Talk with our legal team today and learn what we could do for you.
