Can You File a Claim After a Hit-and-Run Accident in San Antonio? | Top Alamo City Law Firm

Hit-and-run accidents in San Antonio leave victims with the problem of identifying a person to hold liable for damages. Although it is a crime to leave the scene of an accident without first exchanging information, it is increasingly common. The number of hit-and-run car accidents in the U.S. has risen over the past decade, with 919,292 reported crashes in 2023, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Even if you don’t know who hit you, getting a free consultation with a Carabin Shaw lawyer can help you find your best path for financial recovery. We offer our services on a contingency-fee-basis, so you also don’t pay us unless we win your case. Hiring a Bexar County car accident law firm can maximize your compensation after a hit-and-run accident. Contact Carabin Shaw today to schedule your free case review and learn more about the legal options available for your specific case.

Not only are drivers in San Antonio, Texas, required to stop and exchange insurance information after an accident, but they are also required to report accidents to law enforcement if there are injuries or property damage exceeding $1,000. In minor accidents, failing to report a wreck is a misdemeanor, but it can quickly become a felony in major accidents. It is difficult to pursue criminal charges or civil claims if you cannot identify the party who fled from the scene of the wreck.

When collecting evidence, a San Antonio car accident attorney may search for video footage or eyewitnesses who can identify the fleeing party. Getting a license plate number allows police to identify the vehicle's registered owner and determine who was driving. A vehicle owner’s insurance policy will typically cover others who have permission to drive the automobile.

Once you have identified a driver, your lawyer can proceed with filing an insurance claim or personal injury claim on your behalf. If you cannot identify a driver, you may still be able to file an insurance claim.

To file an insurance claim in a Texas hit-and-run accident, you’ll need proper insurance coverage, such as collision coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. A San Antonio hit and run accident lawyer from Carabin Shaw will review your coverage and negotiate a fair settlement without an identified at-fault party. You’ll likely have to pay a deductible for auto repairs, and insurance will cover related medical and income losses up to policy limits.

Involving an attorney in your insurance claim is not necessary but advantageous. Having a legal expert representing you in San Antonio can help you negotiate insurance compensation and prevent costly claim mistakes, such as inadvertently admitting fault to an insurance adjuster.

If you do identify a hit-and-run driver, the best hit and run injury attorney will use the fact that the person fled as evidence of fault, and you may be able to claim additional damages because of delays and emotional stress. In some cases, you may receive punitive damages on top of your compensable damages to deter the defendant from repeating the behavior.

Once you have identified the party, you and your lawyer can pursue the personal injury damages typical of accident cases, which include:

• Economic damages: medical bills, lost income, and property damage
• Noneconomic damages: pain and suffering, and mental anguish

Your Texas attorney will compute economic damages using receipts and invoices, while they may estimate noneconomic damages using a multiplier method based on economic damages or legal precedent. Accident victims can receive compensation for current and future losses.

Call the Bexar County car accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw today to find out your options after a hit-and-run accident. Our toll-free number is 1-800-862-1260, and we have English- and Spanish-speaking staff. Someone is available to speak with you 24/7, but you can also contact us online.

At Carabin Shaw, our priority is fair compensation for accident victims. Read our law firm’s client reviews to find out more about our successful cases, and contact us as soon as possible to avoid any delays in your personal injury case.

For more information:

• Foundation for Traffic Safety
• Transportation Code
• Texas Department of Insurance