Crashes are just a fact of life for those who commute and run household errands every day. Although most motorists go years without experiencing a collision, they can theoretically occur at any time. Texas state law requires that those involved in a collision that causes significant property damage or noteworthy injury to the people involved stop to check on the other people involved and report the collision to the local police.
Unfortunately, plenty of motorists will flee the scene of a crash rather than stop. What can a motorist expect when someone else drives off after a collision?
They will need to notify the police
Texas is actually one of the worst states in the country for hit-and-run collisions. Many drivers will leave instead of stopping to report the crash as they should. The other parties involved will need to file a police report about the incident if they hope to recoup any of their losses.
A report of a hit-and-run incident will trigger an investigation, which might potentially lead to an arrest. If officers locate the person who caused the crash, the people affected by the wreck may be able to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against them.
If the police cannot locate the motorists to blame for the crash, then the person affected by the wreck may only have the option of pursuing a claim against their own insurance coverage if they previously invested in uninsured motorist protection.
Reporting a hit-and-run collision and understanding the rights someone has after a car wreck can benefit those hard by someone else on the Texas roads.