If you’ve been hit by a driver who fled the scene, you’re facing a stressful situation with limited information about who caused your injuries. Hit and run accidents can leave injured people without immediate information about the other driver and may create legal and insurance issues. AMS Law Group assists clients in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with motor vehicle accident matters and may be able to evaluate a hit and run claim.

The firm offers a free consultation and works on a contingency-fee basis. You do not pay attorney’s fees upfront, and attorney’s fees are collected only if we obtain compensation in your case.

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Why Consider AMS Law Group for Your Hit and Run Claim

When you’re injured in a hit and run accident, an attorney can review available insurance coverage and discuss potential claims. AMS Law Group has more than 34 combined years of attorney experience in personal injury and motor vehicle accident cases. Our clients have direct access to the attorney handling their case. Our team is available 24/7 and communicates in English, Spanish, and Arabic. The firm’s motor vehicle accident case results of $15 million, $9 million, $6.1 million, and $5 million.

Founder Sam Almasri has been licensed to practice in Texas since 2006. Attorneys Fadi Alhaddad and Hazim Mandavia also handle motor vehicle accidents.

What Happens in a Hit and Run Accident

Understanding Hit and Run in Texas

A hit and run accident generally involves a driver leaving an accident scene without meeting applicable legal duties. Under Texas Transportation Code § 550.023, a driver involved in a collision resulting in injury, death, or damage to an attended vehicle must provide required information, including their name, address, vehicle registration number, and liability insurer information. If requested and available, the driver must show their driver’s license and provide reasonable assistance to an injured person when required.

For an accident involving an unattended vehicle, Texas Transportation Code § 550.024 requires the driver to stop and either locate the owner or leave a written notice containing required information and a statement of the collision circumstances. A failure to meet these duties may result in criminal consequences, depending on the circumstances.

A hit and run can also create potential civil claims. If the responsible driver is identified, an injured person may have a claim for damages. Drivers may leave scenes for many reasons, including panic, lack of insurance, a suspended license, intoxication, or concern about legal consequences. Drunk driving accidents are a common cause of hit and run incidents, as impaired drivers may flee to avoid criminal penalties. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tracks hit and run crash data and identifies contributing factors that lead drivers to flee accident scenes.

Your Rights After a Hit and Run

After a hit and run, you may be able to:

Report the incident to law enforcement and obtain documentation of the accident.
Seek uninsured motorist coverage under your own policy if available.
Pursue a claim against the at-fault driver if that person is identified.
Seek damages that may include medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering, depending on the facts and applicable law.

How to Seek Compensation After a Hit and Run

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

When a hit and run driver is not identified, uninsured motorist coverage may be an available source of recovery. UM coverage can apply when an at-fault driver is uninsured or cannot be identified, subject to the policy language and the facts of the claim. Texas Insurance Code § 1952.101 requires auto insurers to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with each auto liability policy.

Texas auto insurers generally must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with an auto liability policy, although a named insured may reject the coverage in writing. Coverage limits vary by policy. Before relying on UM coverage, review your policy declarations page and policy terms or consult an attorney or insurance professional.

UM coverage may apply when the at-fault driver is uninsured or unidentified. UIM coverage may apply when the at-fault driver has insurance, but the available liability coverage may not fully compensate for covered damages. Whether coverage applies depends on the policy and circumstances. For more information on navigating uninsured driver claims in Richardson, speaking with an attorney can help clarify your options.

Other Recovery Options

If the hit and run driver is identified, you may be able to bring a claim directly against that driver. Collision coverage may also help pay for vehicle damage, subject to the policy terms, deductible, and coverage limits. A Richardson truck accident lawyer may be able to assist if the fleeing vehicle was a commercial truck, as these cases involve additional regulatory considerations. Motorcycle hit and run cases present unique challenges, as riders are more vulnerable to serious injury and identifying the fleeing driver can be more difficult. Pedestrian hit and run incidents raise additional concerns, as pedestrians are especially vulnerable to severe injuries. Rideshare hit and run accidents involving Uber or Lyft vehicles present additional insurance complexities due to the layered coverage structure of rideshare companies.

Some people may qualify for crime victim compensation benefits, depending on the program’s eligibility requirements. If another party contributed to the accident, a claim against that party may also be possible. For example, a property owner could potentially share responsibility if a dangerous property condition contributed to the collision, which a Richardson slip and fall accident lawyer may be able to evaluate.

Damages That May Be Available

Depending on the facts of the case, a hit and run claimant may seek several categories of damages. Medical damages may include emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, and medically necessary ongoing care related to the injuries. A Richardson catastrophic injury lawyer can help evaluate the full scope of damages in severe injury cases, as these injuries often require extensive medical treatment and long-term care. Traumatic brain injuries resulting from hit and run accidents may require specialized medical treatment and rehabilitation. Lost-income damages may include income missed while recovering and unable to work. Other damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, property damage, and loss of enjoyment of life when supported by the evidence.

If a hit and run collision results in death, eligible surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. Available damages can include certain financial losses, mental anguish, and loss of companionship, as allowed by Texas law. The firm’s attorney Lana Shubair is part of the legal team that handles these sensitive matters. For more information on understanding wrongful death claims, the firm’s articles provide additional resources.

Steps to Take After a Hit and Run

Your actions in the moments and hours after a hit and run may affect available evidence and insurance claims. An attorney can help you understand the Texas statute of limitations for personal injury claims and preserve your rights.

Call 911 if there are injuries, an immediate safety concern, or a need for law-enforcement assistance. Provide details you remember about the other vehicle, such as its color, make, model, license plate number, and direction of travel. A Richardson bicycle accident lawyer may also be relevant if the incident involved a cyclist, as hit and run cases involving vulnerable road users raise additional legal concerns.

Seek medical attention promptly, even if you do not initially feel injured. Some injuries may not produce immediate symptoms. Injuries to children in hit and run accidents require especially prompt medical evaluation, as young children may not be able to communicate their symptoms effectively.

Document the scene with photographs or video of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, debris, and visible injuries when it is safe to do so. A Richardson bus accident lawyer may also be able to assist in cases involving commercial vehicles.

Collect witness names, contact information, and descriptions of what they saw.

Report the accident to your insurer within the timeframe required by your policy. Review how to get a car accident report in Dallas County for guidance on obtaining official documentation.

Contact AMS Law Group for a free consultation about your legal options.

Texas Hit and Run Laws and Filing Deadlines

Texas Transportation Code § 550.023 addresses information-sharing and aid duties after collisions involving injury, death, or an attended vehicle. Section 550.024 addresses duties after striking an unattended vehicle. A violation may result in criminal penalties that depend on the facts, including the type of collision and whether there was injury, death, or property damage. We may also encounter hit and run situations in rear-end collision cases where the at-fault driver flees. A Fort Worth car accident lawyer can assist clients in Tarrant County with hit and run cases.

For many Texas personal injury claims, the general filing deadline is two years from the date of your accident. Exceptions may apply, so the appropriate deadline should be evaluated based on the specific facts. Missing an applicable deadline may prevent a claim from moving forward. The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 establishes the two-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions.

AMS Law Group may review available evidence in a motor vehicle accident matter, including police reports, witness information, and available camera footage. Whether an at-fault driver can be identified depends on the available facts and evidence. The firm’s Tarrant County personal injury lawyer and Fort Worth personal injury lawyer can assist clients in those jurisdictions with hit and run matters. The firm’s blog provides additional resources on Texas personal injury law.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a hit and run claim in Texas?

Many Texas personal injury lawsuits are subject to a two-year filing deadline. However, exceptions may apply, and insurance-policy deadlines can differ from lawsuit deadlines. Speaking with an attorney promptly can help you evaluate the deadlines that may apply to your situation. Be aware that the Texas two-year filing deadline for car accident claims is a critical factor in preserving your right to pursue compensation.

What if the hit and run driver is never found?

If the driver is not identified, uninsured motorist coverage may be available if you have that coverage and meet the policy requirements. You may need to make a claim with your own insurer and provide supporting information about the accident and damages. A Richardson car accident lawyer can help evaluate your coverage options and guide you through the claims process.

AMS Law Group may review your coverage and assist with the claims process. No attorney can promise a particular settlement or recovery. Additional information on legal options when hit by an uninsured driver in Richardson is available in a related article.

Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault?

Texas uses a proportionate-responsibility rule in many personal injury cases. In general, a claimant may not recover damages if the claimant’s percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent. If recovery is available, damages may be reduced by the claimant’s percentage of responsibility. The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001 addresses proportionate responsibility in personal injury cases.

For example, if total damages are determined to be $100,000 and you are found 20 percent responsible, the recoverable amount may be reduced to $80,000. Learn more about how Texas personal injury settlements are calculated for a better understanding of valuation factors.

How much is my hit and run case worth?

The value of a claim depends on factors such as the nature and severity of the injuries, medical treatment, lost income, available insurance coverage, liability evidence, and whether the other driver is identified. There is no reliable fixed value for a hit and run claim. Learn about what makes an injury catastrophic in Texas law and how that designation affects potential damages.

AMS Law Group offers a free consultation to discuss the facts of a potential case. A consultation does not guarantee compensation or a particular dollar amount. Sam Almasri’s Avvo profile and Martindale-Hubbell profile provide additional background on the firm’s lead attorney.

Do I need a Richardson personal injury lawyer for a hit and run claim?

You may file an insurance claim without a lawyer. However, an attorney may help you assess coverage, gather evidence, communicate with insurers, and evaluate whether litigation is appropriate. A personal injury lawyer can provide guidance on whether legal representation is warranted in your specific circumstances.

AMS Law Group states that it handles personal injury and motor vehicle accident matters on a contingency-fee basis. You do not pay attorney’s fees upfront, and attorney’s fees are payable only if the firm obtains compensation.

How long does a hit and run case take?

The timeline varies based on the injuries, available evidence, insurance coverage, whether the driver is identified, and whether the parties reach a settlement. Some claims resolve without litigation, while others may take longer if a lawsuit is necessary. No firm can predict the duration of a particular case. The 6-month notice requirement for DART accidents illustrates how specific deadlines can affect the timeline of a claim involving public transportation.

Contact AMS Law Group for a Free Consultation

You do not have to make decisions about a hit and run claim without information about your options. AMS Law Group offers free consultations for people seeking help with personal injury and motor vehicle accident matters in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The firm serves clients across the region, including through its cities served network.

Call (888) 960-8363 to request a consultation. The firm states that its team is available 24/7 and communicates in English, Spanish, and Arabic. Contact the firm as soon as possible to discuss any filing deadlines, insurance requirements, and available evidence.

Richardson Hit and Run Accident Lawyer