Denton Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer

A hit-and-run accident involves one of the two drivers involved in a wreck decides to leave the scene. Usually, fleeing the scene of the accident is intentional and can result in further complications.

These cases are challenging without help from a legal professional as it can be difficult to establish liability on the correct defendants. For this reason, it is important to speak with an experienced injury attorney quickly as these situations require a quick investigation to help identify the people that were involved in the wreck.

If you were hurt in an auto collision where the other driver fled the scene, you may wish to speak with a Denton hit-and-run accident lawyer. A skilled attorney could review your case and determine whether you could recover financial compensation.

Types of Hit-and-Run Collisions

There are certain vehicle collisions that more commonly result in the other driver leaving the scene. Local attorneys often see hit-and-run wrecks involve sideswipe collisions. These accidents can leave the claimant’s vehicle disabled while the other driver is able to leave.

Parking lots also result in many hit-and-runs. If someone strikes a parked car, or even a pedestrian, they may flee to avoid the potential ramifications. Novice drivers are also more likely to commit a hit-and-run as they may not understand the gravity of the incident.

Unique Aspects of Hit-and-Runs

Something that is critical to know is if a person is involved in a wreck, whether they hit a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist, or another vehicle, leaving the scene of the accident is a criminal offense. This means, if the defendant is caught, they could face both civil and criminal litigation for the accident.

However, it is also possible that Denton law enforcement and lawyers cannot determine who the actual defendant is. This makes it especially important to seek legal representation as a dedicated attorney could work hard to preserve evidence. This includes interviewing potential witnesses or locating other potential witnesses, and determining if there is video or photographic footage of the wreck.

In some cases, the claimant could have a partial license plate number. The legal team could work with law enforcement to narrow down potential defendants and hold the responsible party accountable for the harm they caused.

If it proves impossible to identify a defendant, under Texas law, a claimant can maintain a claim against their uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. In other words, they can make a claim on their own policy for underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage. However, state law requires them to show that there was actual impact between the two vehicles. If they have a scenario where somebody runs another person off the road, but the two vehicles never collide, they may not be able to make a good claim on that policy.

Could Someone Still Recover Damages If There is No Defendant?

If a claimant is unable to identify the defendant, the individual could recover all of their economic damage through their underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage. Assuming the defendant is identified, recoverable damages in a hit-and-run are similar to those in any other car wreck and include both economic and non-economic losses.

Occasionally, in a case involving a hit-and-run, a Denton attorney could make the argument for punitive or exemplary damages. These types of damages are for situations where a defendant behaves in an especially egregious or malicious manner and the court wants to punish them for their actions.

Speak with a Denton Hit-and-Run Attorney to Learn More

If you were struck by another driver who proceeded to leave the scene of the accident, you may be unsure of your legal options. Fortunately, a Denton hit-and-run lawyer could help. Texas law allows a claimant to recover compensation even if the defendant cannot be identified. Call today to learn more about how an attorney could help you.