Hit and Run in Texas: How to Get Paid Even If They Flee

You got hit and, before you could react, the other driver sped off. Now you're hurt, your car is damaged, and you have no idea who did it. It's one of the most frustrating situations on the road — but we want you to know something important: a hit and run doesn't leave you without options. Here's how to protect your health and your case.

First: is fleeing a crime in Texas?

Yes. In Texas, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries is a crime. The driver who flees commits a serious offense. That's why reporting the accident right away matters so much: besides helping you, the police can start looking for the at-fault driver.

You can recover even if they're never found

Here's the key many people don't know: your own auto policy likely includes a coverage called UM (uninsured motorist), and in Texas this coverage generally applies to hit-and-run crashes too. In other words, your own insurance can pay for your injuries and damages even if the at-fault driver never turns up.

• It covers your medical bills and, in many cases, pain and suffering.
• It applies even if the fleeing driver is never identified.
• Using it for an accident that wasn't your fault normally shouldn't raise your premium.

The police report: your most important evidence

In a hit and run, the police report is essential. For your UM coverage to apply, your insurer usually wants to see that you reported the accident promptly. Without a report, they may question your claim. That's why step number one is always to call 911.

Step by step after a hit and run

1. 1Call 911 immediately. Report the accident and ask for medical care.
2. 2Write down everything you remember about the other car: color, make, part of the plate, the direction it fled.
3. 3Look for witnesses. Ask nearby people if they saw anything and get their contact info.
4. 4Look for cameras. Nearby businesses, homes, or traffic cameras may have recorded the crash.
5. 5Take photos of your car, the scene, and any visible injuries.
6. 6See a doctor even if you feel fine — many injuries appear days later.
7. 7Talk to a lawyer before giving statements to your own insurer.

Careful: your own insurer may fight you

When you claim your UM coverage for a hit and run, your own insurer becomes the party paying — and, like any insurance company, it will try to pay as little as possible. They may question whether there really was another driver, or downplay your injuries. You don't have to accept the first offer or give a recorded statement without understanding your rights.

If this happened to you, you're not alone. With more than 30 years of experience in Texas courts, Ruiz & Associates knows how to handle hit-and-run cases and fight the insurance companies so you get what you deserve. We serve Eagle Pass, Maverick County, San Antonio, and all of Texas. We work on contingency: you pay nothing unless we win your case.