HIT & RUN ACCIDENT LAWYER AUSTIN TX
When a driver hits you and flees the scene, you face a unique legal challenge — recovering compensation when the at-fault driver's identity is unknown. Texas law and your own insurance provide pathways to full recovery. Our Austin hit and run attorneys know every avenue.
What We Can Do For You
Uninsured motorist coverageYour own UM policy covers hit and run accidents — often the primary recovery source
Medical expensesFull coverage of accident-related medical care through UM or identified driver
Lost wagesIncome lost during recovery from hit and run injuries
Pain and sufferingAvailable through UM coverage and civil suit if driver is identified
Vehicle damageProperty damage coverage under your own collision or UM property coverage
Investigation costsAttorney-funded accident investigation to identify the fleeing driver
Key Information
1
I-35 Downtown Austin
High-speed hit and run accidents on I-35 often involve vehicles never identified — cameras and witnesses are critical.
2
6th Street / Entertainment District
Late-night hit and runs involving pedestrians — Austin's most common hit and run setting.
3
US-183 Research Blvd
High-volume arterial where drivers flee after rear-end and sideswipe accidents.
4
MoPac On-Ramps
Merge-area hit and runs where drivers accelerate away before victims can respond.
5
Residential Neighborhoods
Parked car hit and runs — paint transfer, witness accounts, and Ring cameras often identify drivers.
What You Should Know
Report to APD immediately — a police report is required for UM claims
Document everything — photos of damage, skid marks, and any debris left by the fleeing vehicle
Canvas for witnesses and nearby security/dashcam footage before it is overwritten
File a UM claim with your own insurer promptly
Do not accept a property-damage-only settlement before injuries are fully assessed
Contact an attorney — they investigate independently to identify the driver
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover if the hit and run driver is never found?▾
Yes. Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver is unidentified. Most Texas auto policies include UM coverage — check yours or have an attorney verify.
What if I don't have UM coverage?▾
Texas requires insurers to offer UM coverage, but drivers can waive it in writing. If you waived it, recovery is limited unless the driver is found. An attorney explores all available options.
How long do I have to file a UM claim in Texas?▾
Your policy defines the deadline — typically within 2 years of the accident. File immediately to preserve evidence and comply with policy notice requirements.
Can surveillance cameras help identify the driver?▾
Yes. Business cameras, traffic cameras, Ring doorbells, and dashcams often capture fleeing vehicles. Our attorneys send immediate preservation requests to businesses near the accident scene.
What if a witness got the license plate?▾
Even a partial plate, combined with vehicle description and direction of travel, can allow law enforcement and investigators to identify the fleeing driver. Report it immediately.
Is a hit and run a crime in Texas?▾
Yes. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury is a felony in Texas. If the driver is identified, they face both criminal prosecution and civil liability.