Texas Accident & Injury News
Hit-and-run accidents are all too common in San Antonio.
24-Year-Old Woman Hospitalized, Driver on the Run After Major Accident
According to a News4SanAntonio report, a driver fled the scene of a major accident Thursday afternoon.¹
Police reported the accident happened at around 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25th, at the intersection of the I-10 access road and Fresno near downtown San Antonio.
A 24-year-old woman told officers she had entered the intersection when another vehicle struck her. The driver of the other vehicle fled before police arrived.
The woman was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police are working to identify and locate the suspect.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Did You Know?
7,277 crashes across Texas in 2024 were caused by drivers failing to yield the right of way at open intersections, according to TxDOT data.²
Why Do Drivers Flee the Scene of an Accident?
Being involved in a crash is a stressful experience. Even still, most drivers stop, call 911, exchange information, and cooperate with law enforcement.
Unfortunately, not everyone makes that choice.
Every year, thousands of Texas drivers leave the scene of an accident, leaving injured victims behind to deal with the aftermath. While every case is different, investigators frequently see the same motivations behind hit-and-run crashes.
Some Drivers Are Trying to Avoid Criminal Charges
One of the most common reasons people flee is because they fear what will happen if they stay.
The driver may be:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving without a valid license
- Operating a stolen vehicle
- Wanted on unrelated criminal charges
- Violating probation or parole
In the moment, some drivers believe escaping the scene will help them avoid arrest.
In reality, leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries is itself a serious criminal offense in Texas and results in even more severe consequences.
Others Simply Panic
Not every hit-and-run driver is trying to escape the law.
Sometimes people make terrible decisions in the moments immediately following a crash.
Fear, shock, and adrenaline can overwhelm someone’s judgment, causing them to drive away instead of stopping to help.
While panic may explain why someone fled, it does not excuse it. Texas law requires drivers involved in an accident to stop, render aid when necessary, and provide identifying information.
Some Drivers Don’t Have Insurance
Financial concerns also play a role in many hit-and-run crashes.
Some drivers know they cannot legally pay for the damage they caused or worry about the consequences of staying at the scene.
They may be:
- Driving without insurance
- Borrowing someone else’s vehicle
- Driving with a suspended license
- Afraid of losing their job or vehicle
Unfortunately, fleeing always makes the situation worse. Criminal charges, civil liability, and additional penalties often follow once the driver is identified.
Can Police Still Find a Hit-and-Run Driver?
Often, yes.
Modern investigations use far more than eyewitness accounts. Even when a driver escapes initially, evidence left behind frequently leads investigators to the suspect.
Police may use:
- Traffic camera footage
- Business surveillance video
- Witness statements
- Vehicle debris from the crash
- License plate reader technology
- Tips from the public
Some drivers are identified within hours, while others are located days or even weeks after the crash.
You May Still Have Options if the Driver Is Never Found
One of the biggest concerns after a hit-and-run is how medical bills and vehicle repairs will be paid if the driver is never identified.
Fortunately, many Texas drivers carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
This coverage is designed to help when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified, including many hit-and-run accidents.
Insurance policies differ, but UM coverage can provide an important source of compensation when the responsible driver cannot be located.
What Should You Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
The steps you take immediately after a hit-and-run can affect both your health and your ability to recover compensation later.
If you’re involved in a hit-and-run:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Seek medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Take photographs of the scene and your vehicle if it’s safe to do so.
- Ask nearby businesses whether security cameras may have captured the crash.
- Speak with witnesses before they leave the area.
- Notify your insurance company promptly.
- Consult a personal injury lawyer before accepting a settlement offer.
Evidence from hit-and-run crashes can disappear quickly, making prompt action especially important.
Injured in a Hit-and-Run Accident? Call Shaw.
Hit-and-run accidents often involve complex insurance issues, especially if the at-fault driver is never identified. But you should never have to pay for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
If you were injured by a driver who fled the scene, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Medical Bills
- Emergency Treatment
- Hospital Stays
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Property Damage
- Future Medical Care
- And More
We’ll help you find out for free.
Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 today or use our live chat to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our personal injury attorneys. No fees, no obligations, just experienced legal guidance. We put our clients first because we care.
We look forward to serving you.
²TxDOT Crash Contributing Factors