Mesquite Hit and Run Accident Attorney

Experiencing a hit-and-run accident can be devastating. Not only are there physical and emotional injuries to cope with, but you also experience uncertainty and anxiety over who will pay for medical costs, lost wages, and other damages when there is no known at-fault driver to be held liable.

Our car accident attorneys at Fielding Law in Mesquite, Texas, understand how serious and painful hit-and-run accidents can be. They disrupt the peace of your family and the peace of our entire community. If you have been the victim of a hit-and-run accident in the Mesquite, Texas, area, we want to help restore peace both to you and to our community by aiding you in your legal recovery.

What is a Hit-and-Run Accident?

A hit-and-run accident can be as painless as someone running over your mailbox and not stopping to report it, or your vehicle being hit in a parking lot and no one leaving a note. Hit-and-run accidents of this sort are frustrating because they cost us money and time. However, more severe hit-and-run accidents can cause serious injury, loss of life, and extensive property damage.

Texas law is very clear. Causing a hit-and-run accident, or leaving the scene of an accident that caused personal injury or property damage without giving contact and insurance information and rendering assistance is illegal. Causing a hit-and-run accident is a serious crime in Texas.

The most basic idea of the hit-and-run accident implies that the guilty party is not accepting responsibility and has made deliberate efforts to escape accountability. Often, in these situations, the victim’s hands are tied. There is only so much he or she can contribute to identifying who is responsible, especially when having been injured. Immediately following the accident, the victim may be confused, disoriented, and unable to explain what happened.

In many cases, the reason that a person does not remain at the scene of the accident could be that he or she is:

• Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Not legally licensed
• Undocumented or lacking the required legal documents to be or remain in the United States
• Lacking insurance coverage
• Afraid of potential liability
• Not thinking straight⁠—Sometimes, the shock and trauma could cause a person to flee

Regardless of the reason why the driver didn’t stop, having an experienced legal team to assist you in working with the police in finding the culprit is incredibly helpful.

Important Steps You Should Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident

Once you are certain you are safe, there are actions you can take to help protect your rights and legal options. The following steps will assist your attorney in pursuing your case, even if the driver who collided with you leaves the scene and is never found:

• Inform the authorities as soon as possible. It may seem obvious, but after the startling impact of a hit-and-run accident, you could easily forget to call the police. Yet, the sooner the police are informed, the greater the likelihood of finding the at-fault driver.
• Obtain medical attention. Being examined by a doctor after the accident is especially essential for your well-being, but also in documenting your injuries for your claim.
• Promptly notify your insurance provider. Many insurance providers have a limited time that customers can inform them of involvement in an accident. Not informing them within this period could affect your ability to receive compensation.
• Get the contact information of any witnesses of the accident. They may be able to assist in locating the at-fault driver and be valuable witnesses for your case later on.
• Take pictures of the accident scene. Try to collect as much information as possible at the accident site. Take multiple photos of your vehicle, debris, road signs, and any tire or skid marks on the road.

Restitution After a Hit-and-Run Accident

When an at-fault driver has fled the accident scene, receiving restitution is possible from your own insurance policy when you have uninsured motorist coverage. However, it should be noted that obtaining compensation is not always easy. Insurance companies look for ways to pay you as little as possible or deny your claim. Even your own insurer is not on your side.

Having a skilled attorney who is looking out for your interests will help you to achieve positive results with the insurance company. This is especially helpful during the period in which you are recovering from the accident and your energy and efforts are directed toward your health.

During your recovery, your lawyer can pursue restitution for your injuries and property that has been damaged or destroyed. You can be awarded compensation for:

• Medical expenses. These can include both the initial costs incurred and any ongoing medical treatment or rehabilitation required for your full recovery.
• Lost wages. These take into account the income that you didn’t receive due to time missed at work as a result of the accident. This may include doctor’s appointments, time for rehabilitation and recuperation, as well as future income if you are unable to return to work.
• Property damage. Your car may need to be repaired or you may need to replace your vehicle if the damage was beyond repair. Also, damaged items that were inside your vehicle, such as a phone, could be replaced.
• Pain and suffering. Without a doubt, the experience of a hit-and-run accident can be traumatic. The emotional stress and anxiety in combination with physical suffering can be agonizing and consuming.

Fielding Law Wants to Help You

At Fielding Law, we feel that one of the best things about our home here in Mesquite, Texas, is the peaceful atmosphere of our beautiful area. When a hit-and-run accident occurs, it takes away that peace from you, the injured, and from our community. 

Following your accident, we want you to be able to focus on restoring your physical health, recovering from the emotional trauma, and reestablishing your life. Contact us today for a free consultation, and the hit-and-run accident lawyers at Fielding Law in Mesquite, Texas, will work tirelessly for you and your case so that you can receive the fair compensation you need to find peace again.