Houston Hit and Run Lawyer: Fight for Justice 2026

Why Every Second Counts After a Hit and Run in Houston

A hit and run lawyer helps victims recover compensation for injuries and damages when a driver flees the scene. They investigate the accident, handle all communication with insurance companies, and pursue legal action to protect your rights within Texas’s two-year statute of limitations. You need a hit and run lawyer immediately if you’ve been injured, the driver fled, or your insurance company is delaying or denying your claim.

You’re stopped at a red light. Then—crash. Your car lurches forward. You look up, dazed, and see taillights disappearing into traffic. The driver just left. No apology, no insurance information, nothing.

This happens far too often. Roughly 11% of all police-reported crashes involve a hit and run. That’s more than 682,000 hit and run crashes every year in the United States—one every minute.

If you’re injured, you’re facing medical bills, lost wages, and a damaged vehicle. And the person who caused it all is gone.

But here’s what most victims don’t know: you still have options. Even if the driver is never found, you can often recover compensation through your own insurance. And if the driver is caught, a skilled lawyer can hold them accountable.

The clock starts ticking the moment that driver speeds away. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and insurance companies look for reasons to deny claims. Acting fast isn’t just smart—it’s critical.

What To Do Immediately After a Hit-and-Run Accident

Being the victim of a hit-and-run is terrifying. Your heart is racing, and you’re trying to process what just happened. What you do in the next few minutes can make all the difference for your safety and your ability to recover compensation.

Your safety comes first. If possible, pull your car to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights. If you can’t move the vehicle, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened unless there’s a risk of fire. If you’re a pedestrian or bicyclist, get away from traffic immediately.

Call 911 right away. An official police report is the foundation of your insurance claim. Tell the dispatcher it was a hit-and-run, give your exact location, and request medical help if anyone is injured. Do not chase the fleeing driver. It’s dangerous and can complicate your case. Let law enforcement handle it.

Seek medical attention within 24 hours, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries like whiplash or concussions. A medical record creates a direct link between your injuries and the accident, which is crucial for your claim.

Finally, gather evidence. Write down everything you remember about the other vehicle: make, model, color, and license plate number (even a partial one helps). Note the direction they fled. Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries. If there are witnesses, get their contact information—their statements can be invaluable.

Your Safety and Evidence Checklist

Here’s what to do, step by step:

1. Move to a safe location. Get your vehicle off the road if possible. Activate hazard lights and stay put, or move to a safe sidewalk or median.
2. Call 911 to report the accident and request medical help. Tell them it’s a hit-and-run and give your location.
3. Write down everything you remember about the other vehicle and driver. Make, model, color, distinguishing features, license plate (even partial), and direction of travel.
4. Take photos of the scene, your vehicle, and your injuries. Capture wide shots, close-ups of damage, debris, and any visible injuries.
5. Get contact information from any witnesses. Ask for names, phone numbers, and email addresses.
6. Seek a medical evaluation within 24 hours. See a doctor even if you feel okay and keep all records.

These steps protect your health and legal rights. A hit and run lawyer can guide you through the next steps and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Understanding Hit-and-Run Accidents in Houston, Texas

A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver involved in a crash leaves the scene without stopping to provide information or render aid. It’s not just wrong—it’s a serious crime in Texas.

Under the Texas Transportation Code, every driver must stop, check for injuries, and exchange their name, address, insurance information, and vehicle registration. If someone is hurt, the driver is required to render reasonable assistance, which usually means calling for medical help. Fleeing the scene is a criminal offense with severe consequences.

Property damage hit-and-runs involve striking an unoccupied vehicle or other property and leaving without notifying the owner. This is a misdemeanor offense.

Personal injury hit-and-runs are far more serious. When a driver causes an accident that injures someone—a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or bicyclist—and flees, they face felony charges.

Pedestrians and bicyclists are especially vulnerable, often suffering catastrophic injuries. Tragically, 18% of all pedestrian fatalities are caused by hit-and-run drivers. These victims have every right to seek full compensation for their injuries.

While prosecutors handle the criminal charges against a fleeing driver, our hit and run lawyers at WestLoop Law Firm focus on your civil claim—recovering the money you deserve for your injuries and losses.

Common Reasons Drivers Flee the Scene in Houston

People flee accident scenes for several reasons, often related to panic or fear of consequences. Common motivations include:

• Panic: The shock of a crash can trigger a fight-or-flight response, leading to the irrational decision to flee.
• No Insurance or License: Uninsured or unlicensed drivers often run to avoid the financial and legal penalties they already face.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI/DWI): This is a primary reason drivers flee. They hope to avoid a DWI charge by leaving the scene and sobering up before they can be identified.
• Outstanding Warrants: A driver with an active warrant for an unrelated crime may flee to avoid being arrested when police arrive.
• Driving a Stolen Vehicle: A person driving a stolen car will not stick around after a crash.

Whatever the reason, fleeing the scene is a crime that leaves the victim to deal with the aftermath alone. That’s why you need a dedicated hit and run lawyer to protect your rights and pursue every available source of compensation.

Securing Compensation: Your Financial Recovery Options

After a hit-and-run, the bills can pile up fast. Medical expenses, lost income, and car repairs create immense stress. The good news is that even if the driver is never caught, you can still recover compensation.

Your own auto insurance policy is often the key. Your Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage are designed for these exact situations. Your collision coverage can also pay to repair or replace your vehicle. The goal is to recover money for all your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage Explained

With approximately 12% of Texas drivers being uninsured, UM/UIM coverage is essential. This coverage protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance (UM) or not enough insurance (UIM) to cover your damages.

Critically, UM coverage also applies to hit-and-run accidents where the driver is never identified. Legally, an unidentified driver is treated as an uninsured one. This means you can file a bodily injury claim with your own insurance company for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

This is where a hit and run lawyer is invaluable. Even your own insurer may try to minimize or deny your claim. We handle the entire process to ensure they honor your policy. Importantly, UM/UIM coverage often extends to pedestrians and bicyclists who are hit by a vehicle, even if they weren’t in a car themselves.

What Types of Damages Can Be Recovered?

We pursue every type of damage you are entitled to, ensuring you receive full and fair compensation.

• Economic Damages: These are your tangible financial losses. This includes all past and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity for long-term injuries, and property damage.
• Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for non-financial losses. This includes pain and suffering, emotional trauma, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and compensation for permanent scarring or disfigurement. For married victims, we can also pursue loss of consortium for the negative impact on their marital relationship.
• Punitive Damages: In some cases, we can pursue punitive (or exemplary) damages. These are not meant to compensate you but to punish the at-fault driver for grossly negligent or malicious behavior, such as driving while extremely intoxicated. Texas law allows for these damages under specific circumstances to deter similar conduct in the future.

We assess every aspect of how the accident has impacted your life to ensure we don’t leave any money on the table.

Navigating the Legal Maze with a Houston Hit and Run Lawyer

The aftermath of a hit-and-run is a confusing maze of insurance claims, medical appointments, and legal deadlines. You shouldn’t have to steer it alone. A hit and run lawyer from WestLoop Law Firm is your guide and advocate, handling the complexities so you can focus on healing.

We immediately launch an investigation, gathering evidence like police reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements. We handle all communication with insurance companies, negotiating for a fair settlement and protecting you from lowball offers. If a fair agreement can’t be reached, we are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and represent you in court.

What Happens if the At-Fault Driver is Found?

If the hit-and-run driver is identified, your options for justice expand. The driver will face criminal charges for fleeing the scene, which can range from a misdemeanor to a felony in Texas. While the state handles the criminal case, we pursue your civil claim.

This allows us to file a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver and their insurance company. We can also investigate employer liability if the driver was working at the time of the crash. Under the respondeat superior doctrine, their employer’s commercial insurance policy may provide an additional source of compensation.

Why You Need an Experienced Hit and Run Lawyer Immediately

In hit-and-run cases, time is of the essence.

• The Statute of Limitations: In Texas, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue forever. A lawyer ensures all deadlines are met.
• Evidence Disappears: Surveillance footage is deleted, skid marks fade, and witnesses’ memories blur. We act quickly to preserve crucial evidence before it’s lost.
• Insurance Companies Aren’t on Your Side: Even your own insurer will try to minimize what they pay. They may offer a quick, low settlement or unfairly deny your claim. We know their tactics and fight to ensure you’re treated fairly.
• You Deserve Maximum Compensation: An experienced lawyer knows how to calculate the full value of your claim, including future medical needs, lost earning potential, and non-economic damages. We fight to ensure you receive full compensation for all your losses.

Don’t try to face the insurance companies alone. You deserve an experienced advocate fighting for you.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hit-and-Run Claims in Houston Texas

We understand you have questions after a hit-and-run. Here are answers to some of the most common ones we hear from our Houston clients.

How long does it typically take to resolve a hit-and-run accident claim?

It depends on the complexity of your case. A straightforward claim filed with your own UM/UIM coverage might settle in 3 to 6 months. However, if your injuries are severe or the insurance company disputes the claim, we may need to file a lawsuit. The litigation process can take up to 2 years or more. Our priority is always to secure the maximum compensation you deserve, not to rush a settlement.

Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault?

Yes. Texas follows a “modified comparative fault” rule (also known as the 51% rule). This means you can still recover damages as long as you are found to be 50% or less responsible for the accident. Your final compensation award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault for a $100,000 claim, you can still recover $80,000. We work to protect you from being assigned an unfair share of the blame.

How does a hit and run lawyer help with my own insurance company?

You might think your own insurance company is on your side, but their goal is to minimize payouts. This can create an adversarial relationship. We level the playing field by:

• Identifying and rejecting lowball offers: We know the true value of your claim, including future medical costs and pain and suffering, and we negotiate for a fair amount.
• Fighting improper claim denials: Insurers may use excuses to deny your claim. We challenge these denials with strong evidence and legal arguments.
• Handling all communications: We manage the complex paperwork and constant calls from adjusters so you can focus on your recovery.
• Representing you in arbitration or court: If the insurer refuses to be fair, we are prepared to take your case to the next level.

Having a lawyer sends a clear message that you are serious about your claim and will not be taken advantage of.

Take the First Step Towards Justice

Being hit by a driver who flees feels like a double injustice. First, the crash. Then, the abandonment.

You’re left with injuries that hurt, bills that pile up, and a car that’s damaged or totaled. Meanwhile, the person who caused it all has disappeared into the night.

But here’s what we want you to know: you are not powerless. Even when the driver is never found, the law provides real pathways to compensation. And when they are caught, we can hold them accountable in ways that go beyond criminal penalties.

At WestLoop Law Firm, we’ve built our practice on fighting for people who’ve been wronged. Our combined experience in personal injury and probate law means we understand the full scope of what you’re facing—not just the immediate medical bills, but the long-term consequences that hit-and-run accidents create for victims and their families. We’re here in Houston, Texas, and we know how to steer these cases from start to finish.

The truth is, time matters. Evidence fades. Witnesses move on. Insurance companies start building their defense the moment you file a claim. The sooner you bring in a hit and run lawyer who knows how to protect your rights, the stronger your case becomes.

We offer a free consultation to every hit-and-run victim who contacts us. No cost. No obligation. Just straight answers about what happened, what your options are, and what we can do to help. We’ll review the details of your accident, explain how UM/UIM coverage applies, and outline a clear path forward.

If you’ve lost someone you love in a hit-and-run, we also handle wrongful death claims with the same compassion and tenacity. Learn how a wrongful death attorney can help your family through this unimaginable time.

Don’t let another day pass wondering if you have a case or waiting for the insurance company to “do the right thing.” Your path to justice starts with a single phone call. Reach out to us today, and let us start fighting for you.