Who Is Held Financially Responsible for Accident Victims in Hit and Run Accidents?

Being involved in a hit and run accident is never a pleasant experience. You could be seriously injured and your vehicle damaged. Accident victims are not always sure who is going to pay for their medical bills, lost wages, and damages to their vehicles.

In most cases, your auto insurance will be financially responsible for damages. However, you will need to have the right type of insurance coverages as part of your policy. If you only have the state-required liability coverage, then you may not be covered.

Liability coverage only covers paying for the damages you caused to another person, not to you. To guarantee you are covered in case of a hit and run accident, you would need one or more of the following types of auto insurance coverages:

• PIP (Personal Injury Protection) Insurance: This insurance covers lost wages, medical bills, and other related costs associated with the accident. In Texas, PIP coverage is included in all insurance policies, unless you specifically decline it.
• Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Insurance: This insurance pays for personal injuries and vehicle damages if you are involved in a hit and run accident. It also provides coverage if the other party is underinsured or uninsured.
• Comprehensive Insurance: This insurance pays for damages to your vehicle from vandalism, theft, flood, fire, or other damages different from being in a car accident.
• Collision Insurance: This insurance pays for damages to your vehicle caused by a hit and run accident.
• Medical Payments Insurance: This insurance pays for medical bills for any personal injuries you or any passengers sustained in the accident. It does not cover lost wages.

What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident

Just like other auto accidents, there are specific steps you should follow to avoid having problems filing a claim for damages:

1. Call the police. You want to get a police report of the accident. Plus, the police will investigate to attempt to try to find the hit and run driver.
2. Seek medical treatment. Do not refuse medical treatment, as not all injuries show up immediately following the accident.
3. Take pictures of the damages. If possible, take pictures of where the accident took place, along with damages.

4. Talk to witnesses. If there were witnesses, and you can do so, speak to them. They may have seen something, have gotten a vehicle description, or have other useful information they could provide.
5. Seek legal advice. Call a qualified car accident lawyer to find out your legal rights. In the event your insurance company attempts to deny your claim or gives you any problems, your lawyer will help negotiate a suitable settlement. Should the responsible party be caught by the police and they have insurance, then you and your lawyer can seek reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses and other damages.

If you have further questions or need legal advice after a hit and run accident, please feel free to contact Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. at 713-574-5089 to speak to one our Houston ,TX auto accident attorneys today!