A hit-and-run motorcycle crash can leave you shaken, hurt, and unsure of what to do next. Whether you were struck on a busy road like Central Expressway in Dallas or on a quiet neighborhood street, the moments after such an accident can feel disorienting. When the driver responsible speeds away, it adds another layer of frustration and uncertainty.
Knowing the steps to take after a hit-and-run motorcycle accident can help protect your health, preserve key evidence, and strengthen your potential claim. Skilled legal representation can also make a significant difference in holding the at-fault driver or their insurer accountable.
If you or someone close to you has been injured or lost a loved one in a Texas motorcycle accident caused by another driver’s negligence, a dedicated motorcycle accident lawyer can help guide you through your options and next steps. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney near you today for a free consultation.
Key Takeaways: Steps to Take After Hit and Run Motorcycle Collision in TX
- Always call 911 immediately and seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor.
- Collect as much information as possible about the fleeing vehicle and accident scene.
- Report the crash to law enforcement and your insurance provider promptly.
- Preserve all physical and digital evidence related to the collision.
- Texas laws allow recovery through uninsured motorist coverage and other legal options.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Accident?
Even though adrenaline and confusion often take over in the moments after a hit-and-run, taking the right actions right away can make a difference for your safety and your case.
Check Yourself and Others for Injuries
Assess your condition before moving. Severe injuries like fractures, head trauma, or internal bleeding may not be immediately noticeable. If you’re able, check on any passengers or others involved. Avoid removing your helmet or gear until medical help arrives unless absolutely necessary.
Call 911 and Report the Accident
Contact emergency services to request medical assistance and law enforcement. Police officers will document the scene and begin searching for the fleeing driver. A police report becomes a crucial part of your claim, as it establishes the official record of the hit-and-run.
Document the Scene and Gather Evidence
If you can do so safely, take photos or videos of the scene, your motorcycle, skid marks, road debris, and any nearby property damage. Capture the surrounding area, such as nearby intersections or street signs, like those near Greenville Avenue, to help identify the crash location later.
Look for Witnesses
Eyewitnesses often provide valuable details about the fleeing vehicle or driver. Ask for their names and contact information before they leave. Witness statements can support your version of events and help investigators locate the responsible driver.
Note Any Details About the Fleeing Vehicle
Try to recall and write down anything you remember about the vehicle that hit you, including the color, make, model, or even part of the license plate number. Details like a bumper sticker, broken headlight, or company logo can also help law enforcement track down the driver.
How Do You Report a Hit-and-Run Accident in Texas?
Texas law requires motorists to report crashes that cause injury, death, or significant property damage. Properly reporting the accident also protects your right to file an insurance claim.
Filing a Police Report
Tell the responding officer everything you remember, even small details. Ask for a copy of the crash report once it’s completed. This document serves as official proof that the collision occurred and that the other driver fled the scene.
Contacting Your Insurance Company
Notify your insurer as soon as possible. Give them the police report number, your photos, and any information about the fleeing driver. Some policies have strict deadlines for reporting hit-and-run claims, so act quickly.
Understanding Texas Transportation Code Requirements
Texas Transportation Code §550.021 requires drivers to stop and provide information when involved in a crash that causes injury or death. Leaving the scene can result in serious criminal penalties. Even if you didn’t cause the crash, reporting it helps law enforcement investigate and uphold these laws.
What Evidence Should You Preserve After a Hit-and-Run?
Evidence helps establish fault and prove the extent of your losses. Keeping thorough documentation strengthens your claim against the at-fault driver or through your own insurance.
Take Photos and Videos of the Scene
Capture multiple angles of your motorcycle, the surrounding roadway, and your injuries. These visuals can help reconstruct the accident later, especially when the other driver isn’t identified.
Keep All Medical Records and Bills
Save every document related to your medical treatment, including ambulance reports, hospital bills, prescriptions, and therapy invoices. These records show the extent of your injuries and the financial impact of your recovery.
Save Damaged Clothing and Gear
Don’t throw away torn clothing, a dented helmet, or damaged gloves. These items may help prove the severity of impact or the nature of the crash.
Maintain a Written Account of Events
As soon as you’re able, write down what happened while your memory is fresh. Include the time of day, weather, road conditions, and the direction you were traveling. Details like “the car sped away down Commerce Street” may later help identify the driver.
Can You Recover Compensation After a Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Accident?
Victims of hit-and-run crashes in Texas still have legal options for pursuing financial recovery, even if the at-fault driver isn’t found right away.
Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Texas
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage can apply when the other driver flees and isn’t identified. It helps cover medical expenses, property damage, and other losses caused by an unidentified or uninsured driver. Every insurer in Texas must offer this coverage, and it’s included unless you’ve rejected it in writing.
MedPay and Personal Injury Protection Options
Medical Payments (MedPay) and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pay for medical care regardless of who caused the accident. These can help with immediate expenses like emergency treatment or follow-up care.
Third-Party Liability Possibilities
Sometimes, another party may share fault, such as a business vehicle owner, rideshare company, or a bar that overserved the at-fault driver. An experienced attorney can help determine if additional claims are available.
Civil Remedies if the Driver is Found
If police later identify the driver, you can file a civil claim against them for your injuries, property damage, and other losses. A civil lawsuit allows you to seek accountability directly from the responsible party.
What Are Texas Hit-and-Run Laws?
Texas laws hold drivers accountable for leaving the scene of a crash without stopping to render aid or exchange information.
Criminal Penalties for Fleeing Drivers
Under Texas law, leaving the scene of an accident that causes injury or death can lead to felony charges. Penalties may include fines, imprisonment, and license suspension. Even minor crashes can lead to misdemeanor charges if the driver doesn’t stop.
Duty to Stop and Render Aid Requirements
Every driver in Texas has a duty to stop, give their name, address, and insurance information, and help anyone injured in the crash. Failing to do so violates state law and can significantly increase criminal penalties.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Texas?
You generally have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit for personal injury or wrongful death. However, starting the process early helps ensure access to fresh evidence and witness testimony.
Important Deadlines for Insurance Claims
Insurance companies often have shorter deadlines for submitting hit-and-run claims, sometimes within 30 days. Review your policy carefully and notify your insurer right away.
Exceptions That May Extend Filing Deadlines
Certain situations may extend the filing period, such as when the injured person is a minor or mentally incapacitated. Your attorney can review these factors to confirm applicable timelines.
What Damages Can You Recover?
Recoverable damages depend on the details of your accident and the losses you’ve experienced.
Medical Expenses and Future Treatment Costs
Motorcycle crashes often result in serious injuries like broken bones, spinal trauma, or brain injuries. The medical bills that follow can quickly add up, even for riders with health insurance. Recoverable medical expenses can include:
- Emergency care: Ambulance transport, emergency room treatment, and hospital stays.
- Ongoing treatment: Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and follow-up appointments with specialists.
- Surgery and procedures: Operations to repair fractures, internal injuries, or reconstruct damaged tissue.
- Prescription medications and medical equipment: Pain management drugs, braces, wheelchairs, or prosthetics.
Some injuries require lifelong care. If your doctor anticipates future surgeries or therapy, those projected costs can be part of your claim.
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
If your injuries keep you from working temporarily or permanently, you may pursue recovery for lost income and diminished ability to earn in the future.
Property Damage to Your Motorcycle
Your motorcycle often sustains severe damage in a hit-and-run accident. The cost to repair or replace it can form a significant portion of your claim.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering account for the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve endured because of the crash and recovery process. This includes the daily discomfort of injuries, anxiety about riding again, or emotional strain from ongoing medical treatment.
Permanent Disability and Disfigurement
When a hit-and-run leads to lasting injuries, you may seek compensation for the lifelong impact on your quality of life.
How Our Attorneys Can Help
At DFW Injury Lawyers, we understand the hardship that follows a hit-and-run motorcycle accident. We’re committed to helping you hold negligent drivers accountable and pursue fair results through every available legal avenue.
Thorough Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Our team reviews accident reports, video footage, and witness statements to uncover every available lead. We work with experts in accident reconstruction and forensic analysis to support your case.
Identifying All Available Insurance Coverage
We examine all possible sources of recovery, including UM, PIP, MedPay, and third-party liability coverage. This helps ensure no available policy goes unused.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurers sometimes try to limit payouts or deny valid claims. We handle communications and negotiations so you can focus on recovery while we push for fair treatment.
Filing Lawsuits Against At-Fault Parties
When a responsible driver is identified, we file suit to hold them accountable for their actions and the harm they caused.
Maximizing Your Compensation
Our attorneys carefully document your medical costs, lost wages, and other damages to strengthen your claim. The goal is to help you pursue financial recovery that reflects your actual losses.
Handling Your Case on a Contingency Fee Basis
We take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay attorney fees upfront. Payment occurs only when we resolve your case through a settlement or verdict.
What To Do After Hit and Run Motorcycle Accident: FAQs
What if I can't remember anything about the vehicle that hit me?
You can still file a police report and pursue a claim through your uninsured motorist coverage. Investigators may use traffic cameras or nearby surveillance to identify the vehicle.
Will my insurance rates go up after a hit-and-run accident?
Generally, your rates shouldn’t increase if you weren’t at fault. However, each insurer has its own policies, so confirm this directly with your provider.
Can I still file a claim if the police never find the other driver?
Yes. Your uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver isn’t located. You’ll need to provide proof that the accident involved another vehicle, even if that driver fled.
What if the hit-and-run driver didn't have insurance?
If the driver is found and uninsured, you can still seek recovery under your UM coverage or pursue a personal judgment against them.
How much is my hit-and-run motorcycle accident case worth?
Case value depends on factors like medical costs, lost income, long-term disability, and the impact on your daily life. Every case is different, so an attorney can evaluate your specific situation.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Texas Today
Personal injury cases have strict time limits, and evidence fades quickly after a hit-and-run. DFW Injury Lawyers can help you take prompt legal action, protect your rights, and pursue fair results for your injuries and losses.
Our team of personal injury lawyers has handled many serious motorcycle accident claims throughout Dallas and surrounding communities. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your next steps.
Kevin L. Edwards
Founder
Attorney Kevin Edwards is a co-founder of DFW Injury lawyers. During his law school tenure, Mr. Edwards worked for a prominent local personal injury attorney, where he gained valuable pre-litigation, litigation, courtroom, and trial experience in lawsuits involving car wrecks, commercial trucking wrecks, medical malpractice, premises liability and catastrophic injury. Following his graduation from law school, Mr. Edwards joined a high-volume civil litigation/insurance defense firm in Dallas, Texas, where he defended corporations, insurance companies, employers, trucking companies, and numerous businesses and individuals throughout the State of Texas. After approximately five years on the defense side of the docket, Mr. Edwards had seen enough of the corporate and insurance company greed. In 2008, Mr. Edwards moved across the courtroom aisle to help plaintiffs whom he had seen from experience suffer real, and often times, debilitating injuries and were deserving of compensation. Over the last 15 years, Mr. Edwards has dedicated his practice to helping those who have been injured or harmed by the negligence, malfeasance, and/or recklessness of others. He has represented thousands of victims in personal injury matters, defective products cases, and mass tort litigations against medical device and pharmaceutical companies.
Author's Bio