Hit and Run Motor Vehicle Accidents in Houston, Texas

Hit and run motor vehicle accidents frequently occur in Texas and you need to be prepared in the event you experience such a loss. There are several important factors you need to be aware of regarding hit and run accidents in Texas and what to do if you have been involved in a hit and run accident.

1. If possible, take a photo of the hit and run vehicle’s license plate and make note of the make, model and color of the hit and run vehicle.

2. Contact the local police to report the hit and run accident and provide them with all the information you were able to obtain on the hit and run vehicle. This step is very important because it not only helps the police locate the hit and run vehicle, but the police report will be necessary if you wish to present an uninsured motorist claim to your insurance company if you have that coverage.

3. If the hit and run vehicle cannot be located, you can present your claim for property damage, bodily injuries, medical expenses, and other damages to your auto insurance company IF you have uninsured motorist coverage on your auto insurance policy. If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage on your policy, your policy may still cover the property damage under your collision coverage, if you have collision coverage, but your injury claim will not be covered.

4. To present a hit and run claim under Texas law, there must be physical contact between your vehicle and the hit and run vehicle. It doesn’t matter how the physical contact occurs, as long as there is proof of physical contact. For example, if an unknown vehicle enters your lane and you swerve to avoid contact and enter a ditch, but no contact ever occurred between your vehicle and the other vehicle, then you do not have an uninsured motorist claim under Texas law because no physical contact occurred between the two vehicles.

5. Immediately notify your insurance company of the loss. Your insurance company will obtain information from you about the events of the loss. Expect your insurance adjuster to also ask for a copy of the police report evidencing that you reported the event to the police.

6. It is not uncommon for an auto insurance adjuster to question the circumstances or legitimacy of a hit and run accident if you have uninsured motorist coverage. Under the insurance policy, the insurance company has the right to demand that the insured submit to an examination under oath (EUO) . The EUO is usually conducted by an attorney hired by the insurance company to question the insured in detail about the events leading to the loss. If you refuse to submit to the EUO, the insurance company can deny coverage for your failure to cooperate.

7. Hire an experienced personal injury attorney to assist you with your uninsured motorist injury claim.