What If a Drunk Driver Hit Me and Then Fled the Scene?
On January 3, 2025, a San Antonio collision injured two men and caused several power lines to fall. When police officers arrived at the scene of the wreck, they found an overturned SUV with two male victims outside the vehicle. The SUV had also hit a utility pole, causing a temporary power outage that affected around 2,000 customers. The SUV’s driver fled the scene before officers arrived. Open containers of alcoholic beverages were found inside the SUV, leading police to suspect that drunk driving may have contributed to the crash.
If I am injured in a hit-and-run wreck, can I still get compensation? Do I need a car accident lawyer? While you can attempt to handle your own claim, working with an experienced San Antonio, TX personal injury attorney can maximize your compensation.
Why Is Drunk Driving Dangerous?
Alcohol, drugs, and fatigue can cause various impairments that make driving extremely unsafe, such as:
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Blurred vision
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Poor judgment
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Delayed responses
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Concentration issues
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Lack of motor coordination
Impaired drivers may not make necessary evasive maneuvers, such as reducing speed or changing course, to avoid a collision. As a result, the injuries sustained in drunk-driving crashes are often severe.
How Does a Hit-and-Run Accident Claim Work?
Although laws require drivers involved in wrecks to remain at the scene until responding police officers release them, not all drivers comply. If a driver flees but is later identified, you can file an insurance claim against his or her policy. However, the at-fault driver could remain unidentified. In that case, you can file a claim against your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you have it.
In Texas, drivers are required to purchase and maintain at least 30/60/25 auto insurance liability coverage. That means $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 for bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.
Insurers must also offer policyholders optional UI/UIM coverage. That coverage should apply if an at-fault driver has minimal or no insurance, but it should also cover you if you are the victim of a hit-and-run crash.
You may think that because you are dealing with your own insurance company, the amount of money they offer you will be fair. Unfortunately, you are probably mistaken. No insurer likes to pay claims, even those made by their own policyholders. Without legal representation, you may not even realize your insurer is shortchanging you.
Why Should You Work With a Car Accident Attorney?
After a hit-and-run wreck, your lawyer may be able to locate and identify the at-fault driver. Regardless, dealing with reluctant insurance companies, even yours, takes experience and focused skills that most people lack.
When you partner with an experienced attorney, we will collect supporting evidence, calculate your damages, and attempt to negotiate a reasonable settlement offer. If the insurer does not cooperate, we can take your case to trial if necessary to help you achieve the best possible results. We will advocate for your best interests in all we do on your behalf.
Call a Dedicated Austin, TX Car Wreck Lawyer
Whether the driver who hit you remained at the scene or fled, a skilled San Antonio, TX personal injury attorney from Alford Law PLLC can help you secure as much compensation as you deserve. Call us at 210-951-9467 or contact us online to arrange your free case review today. Remember, we only get paid if we win your case.