Fort Worth Hit & Run Accident Lawyer
Hit and run accidents are shockingly common in Fort Worth. Have you been hurt in a car accident in which the other driver fled the scene? An experienced Fort Worth hit & run accident lawyer can help you protect your rights and explore your options for seeking the compensation you deserve.
Jason Stephens is an award-winning trial lawyer who has secured some of the largest verdicts and settlements in Texas history for his clients.
Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today at (817) 420-7000 to schedule a free case review with a Fort Worth car accident lawyer to discuss your case.
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How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help with a Fort Worth Hit & Run Case
When you have been hurt in a hit-and-run crash, you are left in a difficult position. You have just two options to recover compensation: an uninsured motorist claim with your insurer or a claim against the at-fault driver – if they can be located. Recovering the compensation you deserve can be daunting without experienced legal counsel.
A Fort Worth personal injury lawyer can serve as your advocate to protect your legal rights, assist in locating the at-fault driver, and negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company. Jason Stephens of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC has more than two decades of experience representing injury victims in Fort Worth. He has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer with the highest Martindale-Hubbell AV rating and extensive courtroom experience.
Jason Stephens will fight back against attempts to shift the blame onto you and fight for substantial compensation for the injuries you have sustained. When you choose Stephens Law Firm, PLLC to represent you, you can depend on your personal injury attorney to:
- Guide you through every step of the legal process ahead, answer your questions, and address your concerns
- Handle all aspects of your claim while you focus on your recovery
- Perform an in-depth investigation of your accident to determine causation and liability
- Consult with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and other experts to build and analyze evidence
- Work with law enforcement to attempt to locate the at-fault driver who fled the scene
- Negotiate with the insurance company to seek a fair settlement and fight attempts to blame you for your accident
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, Jason Stephens is not afraid to present your case before a jury. He will not pressure you to accept a lowball settlement offer due to a lack of courtroom experience.
Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a free consultation with a Fort Worth hit-and-run injury lawyer who will fight for you.
Texas Hit & Run Laws
Leaving the scene of an accident is illegal in Texas.
Under Texas law, motorists are required to remain on the scene of an accident that results in injury or property damage and perform certain actions:
- Render aid to an injured person
- Exchange insurance and driver’s license information if asked
- Wait for law enforcement to arrive if police are called and on the way
- Leave contact information on the vehicle if the other vehicle is unoccupied
Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime under Texas Transportation Code 550.022. If located, a hit-and-run driver can be charged with a Class C or Class B misdemeanor if the accident only resulted in property damage. A Class C misdemeanor is charged for damage to an unoccupied vehicle with less than $200 in damage.
A Class B misdemeanor is charged for damage exceeding $200, which is generally any type of damage.
Leaving the scene of an accident with a non-serious injury is a felony punishable by up to 1 year in jail. If the accident resulted in serious injury or death, it is a third-degree felony punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison.
If the hit-and-run driver is located, they may face criminal charges. A Fort Worth car accident attorney can help with a civil claim against the driver.
Texas Hit & Run Statistics
According to AAA, hit-and-run fatalities recently reached an all-time high in the United States. The study found that 65% of people killed in hit-and-run crashes were bicyclists or pedestrians. Texas ranks 8th in the United States for the highest rate of hit-and-run deaths.
Between 2015 and 2016 alone, deadly hit-and-runs increased 30% in Texas with an average of 200-250 hit-and-runs every year. Texas also ranks high for DWI arrests and hit and run accidents often happen when someone is driving under the influence.
Why Do Hit & Run Accidents Happen in Fort Worth, TX?
There is a hit-and-run accident every 43 seconds in the United States. While these accidents occur for any number of reasons, drivers typically flee the scene because they:
- Do not have a driver’s license or have a suspended license
- Do not have car insurance
- Have an active warrant for their arrest
- Have a criminal record
- Were under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Do not want to pay for damages
- Panicked or were in shock
In rare cases, hit-and-run accidents happen because the other driver was not aware they were even in a collision. This may happen in a parking lot or crosswalk when an accident is minor or, for example, when they cause a pedestrian accident by striking someone without realizing it.
There is almost never a good reason for someone to flee the scene of a crash, particularly when they have caused injuries. Unfortunately, this happens every day and leaves victims struggling to recover the compensation they deserve. If you have been hurt in a hit-and-run, contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a free case review with a compassionate Fort Worth hit-and-run injury lawyer who can help.
Common Injuries Sustained in a Fort Worth Hit & Run Accident
Hit-and-run accident victims in Fort Worth can be left with serious injuries. While some people are lucky and sustain only minor injuries, others are left with life-changing consequences.
Common injuries sustained in a hit-and-run crash in Fort Worth include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Seat belt injuries
- Fractures
- Burns
- Chest injuries
- Soft tissue injuries like whiplash
- Organ damage
- Wrongful death
If you have been hurt in a hit-and-run accident, the Fort Worth hit-and-run accident lawyer at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC is here to help you. Jason Stephens will fight for the compensation you deserve from the at-fault driver or your own insurance company.
Recovering Compensation After a Hit & Run in Fort Worth
To recover compensation for your damages in a hit and run in Texas, you generally have two options:
- Filing a claim against the at-fault driver
- Failing a claim against your insurance policy
Of course, filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver requires first locating the hit-and-run driver. Police will attempt to locate the driver and your Fort Worth hit and run lawyer will also conduct an investigation. If the driver can be located, they will likely be charged with a criminal offense and you can make a claim against their insurance.
A successful claim typically allows you to recover two types of damages, economic and non-economic:
- Medical bills related to your accident
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity or disability
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that a hit-and-run driver will be located. If they are, there’s a good chance they will not have insurance.
One of the many reasons a driver may flee the scene is they do not have car insurance.
Most insurance policies sold in Texas include uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
This type of coverage doesn’t just protect you when a driver is uninsured or underinsured; it also covers you in a hit and run. UM/UIM coverage pays for damages to your car, medical expenses, and sometimes lost wages and pain and suffering.
Uninsured motorist claims can be complicated, however. While you have faithfully paid your insurance premiums for years, your insurance company will suddenly step into the role of the at-fault driver’s carrier. They may attempt to low-ball you, claim you caused the accident, or refuse to pay. An experienced Fort Worth personal injury lawyer can represent you during an uninsured motorist claim to build your case and negotiate with your insurer.
Contact a Car Crash Lawyer in Fort Worth
Have you been injured in a hit-and-run crash? You may be feeling overwhelmed, angry, and unsure where to turn. The Fort Worth hit & run accidents lawyer at Stephens Law Firm PLLC is here to help to locate the driver responsible and fight for fair compensation – or go against your own insurance company to recover damages.
Hit-and-run cases are notoriously complex, but you do have options. Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a free case review with Jason Stephens to explore your legal options.
