Hit and runs happen too often, leaving victims unsure how they’ll get compensation. Even if the driver fled the scene, you may be able to file a lawsuit once our lawyers identify them. Identifying the negligent driver is crucial to filing a lawsuit, so don’t wait to have us start investigating the case.
You may be able to sue, even if you don’t recall any identifying information about the negligent driver. Other witnesses may have seen something useful, or our lawyers may get video footage of the crash from nearby security cameras. You can sue for both economic and non-economic damages after a hit and run, and our lawyers can help you do so.
Call Cap City Injury Attorneys at (512) 612-3110 to discuss your case for free with our Austin car accident lawyers.
Can You Sue for Injury After a Hit and Run?
Whether or not you can hold someone accountable for a hit and run depends on whether our lawyers can identify them after an accident in Texas.
If the Driver is Identified
Often, our lawyers can quickly identify the driver after a hit and run by reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing eyewitnesses. You may be unable to track down the at-fault driver without our attorneys’ help, especially if injuries land you in the hospital for several days afterward.
In addition to our efforts, police officers may investigate to identify the at-fault driver, as fleeing the accident scene is against the law.
If the Driver is Not Identified
If the at-fault driver is not identified, there are still ways to get compensation, such as from your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and other insurance. Even if you cannot provide any identifying information about the driver or their vehicle to help us track them down, we may still be able to locate them, allowing you to file a lawsuit and seek damages. Therefore, don’t assume the worst if you can’t identify the driver right away.
What to Do So You Can Sue for Injury After a Hit and Run
Taking certain steps after a hit and run helps ensure you can file a lawsuit in the future.
Call the Police
Call the police after a hit and run in Austin. Police officers will write a report detailing the crash based on property damage and your account, and may then start tracking down the driver who fled.
Speak to Witnesses
If you see witnesses in the area after a hit and run, talk to them. Ask if they saw what happened, and, if so, to provide their names and phone numbers. Eyewitnesses may have seen something you didn’t that helps us identify the driver, such as a partial license plate number or vehicle make and model.
Talk to Our Lawyers
The sooner you talk to our lawyers about the accident, the better. Tell us everything you can remember so that we can record your statement and refer back to it as we build the case. Our lawyers may ask questions that jog your memory and make you recall important details that ultimately lead to the driver’s identity. As time passes, you risk forgetting small yet crucial details, so don’t wait for this step.
What Economic Damages Can You Sue for After a Hit and Run?
You should sue for all economic damages after a hit and run in Austin.
Medical Expenses
When we identify the driver in a hit and run, the victim can sue for all medical damages. Texas permits compensation for current and future medical expenses, so let us factor in expected surgeries and procedures.
Lost Wages
You can also sue for lost wages once we identify the driver in a recent hit and run. Lost wages are based on income records and employment information, which our attorneys can organize for your case.
Miscellaneous Costs
Hit and run victims can also sue for miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses, and we can help pinpoint all the economic damages you have incurred.
Can You Sue for Non-Economic Damages After a Hit and Run in Austin?
If a negligent driver hits you, flees the scene, and is subsequently identified by law enforcement or our Texas car accident lawyers, you may file a lawsuit that covers non-economic damages.
Hit and runs often bring an added layer of stress and anxiety for victims, who might already be dealing with physical pain and discomfort because of injuries. Non-economic damages compensate plaintiffs for all subjective intangible harms they experience, which they may prove by testifying to at trial.
What Evidence Do You Need to Sue for Injury After a Hit and Run?
Allow our lawyers to get the evidence you need to prove liability for a hit and run in Austin.
Eyewitness Statements
Eyewitness testimony is exceptionally helpful in a hit and run lawsuit. An eyewitness can testify about seeing the defendant strike the plaintiff’s vehicle and then flee the scene. They can describe how the driver was negligent, the extent of the victim’s injuries, and the general consequences of the collision.
You are also an eyewitness. If you saw the negligent driver before they fled, you may be able to identify them during a trial and confirm that they hit you.
Video Footage
Please inform our lawyers as soon as possible of the exact location where the accident occurred. Many intersections and streets in Austin have residential or commercial security cameras, which may film a collision. If we can get video footage, it may show the other driver’s vehicle, license plate, or even their face, confirming they were present during the accident.
Medical Records
Like any injury lawsuit, you need to prove that the driver who hit you and fled the scene also injured you. We require medical records to proceed with this. Still go to the hospital after a hit and run, even if you are concerned about identifying the at-fault driver. Our lawyers have the skills and resources to track them down, and may do so soon.
Get Our Help with Your Austin Hit and Run Accident Case
Call Cap City Injury Attorneys at (512) 612-3110 for a free case assessment from our Austin personal injury lawyers.