Dallas Hit and Run Lawyer | Varghese Summersett

If you were injured by a driver who fled the scene, you’re facing more than just physical pain. You’re dealing with the fear that you’ll be stuck paying medical bills because the person who hit you disappeared. In Dallas, hit and run accidents happen more often than you think. Drivers panic, flee, and leave victims without answers or insurance information.

But you’re not powerless. Texas law provides ways to recover compensation even when the at-fault driver is never found. Our Dallas hit and run lawyers know how to pursue every available source of coverage and hold insurance companies accountable when they try to minimize what they owe you.

What Makes a Hit-and-Run Accident Different

When someone hits you and stays at the scene, you exchange insurance information. You file a claim. The process moves forward. When someone flees, everything gets harder. You don’t know who hit you, you can’t file a claim against their insurance, and you’re left wondering how you’ll pay for the damage they caused.

Texas law requires drivers to stop after an accident. Under Texas Transportation Code § 550.021, if you’re involved in a collision that causes injury, death, or property damage, you must stop and provide your information. Fleeing is a crime. But that doesn’t help you when the driver is gone and you’re hurt.

The real challenge in a hit and run case is finding money to pay for your injuries. Without a known at-fault driver, you can’t file a traditional claim. You need a lawyer who knows how to work with your own insurance company and pursue uninsured motorist coverage.

How You Can Recover Compensation After a Hit and Run

Just because the driver who hit you fled doesn’t mean you’re on your own financially. Texas law requires most insurance policies to include uninsured motorist coverage, which applies when the at-fault driver can’t be identified. This coverage is part of your own auto policy.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages when the person who caused your accident is unknown or doesn’t have insurance. You file the claim with your own insurance company. They step into the shoes of the at-fault driver and compensate you for what you’ve lost.

Here’s where insurance companies try to take advantage of you. They know you’re vulnerable. They’ll minimize your injuries, question whether the hit and run really happened, or argue that your damages aren’t as severe as you claim. They may offer you a quick settlement that’s far less than what your case is worth.

This is why you need an experienced Dallas hit and run lawyer. Insurance companies don’t look out for you, even when it’s your own policy. They’re businesses trying to protect their bottom line. We make sure they pay what they owe.

What Uninsured Motorist Coverage Pays For

When you file a claim under your uninsured motorist coverage, you’re entitled to compensation for all damages the at-fault driver would have been responsible for if they had stayed at the scene. This includes both economic and non-economic losses.

Medical expenses are the most obvious. Emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, and ongoing treatment all count. If you need future medical care because of the accident, that’s covered too. Texas law allows you to recover for both past and future medical costs.

Lost wages matter. If your injuries kept you out of work, you’re entitled to compensation for the income you lost. If you can’t return to work at the same capacity, you can recover the difference between what you used to earn and what you can earn now. For severe injuries that prevent you from working at all, you can pursue compensation for total loss of earning capacity.

Pain and suffering are real damages. Physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the overall impact the accident has had on your quality of life all have value. Insurance companies will try to minimize these damages because they’re harder to quantify, but they’re just as real as your medical bills.

Property damage is included. If your vehicle was damaged or totaled, your UM coverage should compensate you for repairs or the fair market value of your car.

Common Insurance Company Tactics in Hit and Run Cases

Insurance companies use specific strategies to reduce what they pay on hit-and-run claims. They know most people don’t understand their rights and will accept whatever offer comes their way.

One tactic is to question whether the accident really happened. They’ll suggest you’re exaggerating or that the damage to your vehicle came from something else. They may demand proof that another vehicle caused your injuries, even when you have photos, witness statements, and a police report.

Another strategy is to undervalue your injuries. They’ll argue that your medical treatment was excessive, that you didn’t need surgery, or that your pain isn’t as severe as you claim. They may send you to their own doctor for an independent medical examination, knowing that doctor will downplay your injuries.

They’ll also try to settle fast. They know you’re worried about bills piling up, so they’ll offer a quick settlement that sounds reasonable but doesn’t account for future medical care, ongoing pain, or long-term effects of your injuries. Once you accept that settlement and sign a release, you’re done. You can’t come back later and ask for more.

We don’t let insurance companies play these games. We document your injuries thoroughly, gather evidence that proves the accident happened and caused your damages, and fight for full compensation that accounts for everything you’ve lost.

What You Need to Do After a Hit and Run Accident

The steps you take immediately after a hit-and-run affect your ability to recover compensation later. If you’re able, gather as much information as possible at the scene.

Call 911. Report the accident to the police. A police report creates an official record of what happened and gives you documentation for your insurance claim. The report should include details about the accident, any witnesses, and a description of the vehicle that fled if you or anyone else saw it.

Get medical attention. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt, see a doctor. Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. Adrenaline can mask pain. Delaying treatment gives insurance companies an opportunity to argue that your injuries weren’t caused by the accident.

Document everything. Take photos of the damage to your vehicle, your injuries, and the accident scene. Write down what you remember about the other vehicle, including color, make, model, and direction of travel. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information.

Notify your insurance company. You’re required to report the accident to your insurer. Tell them what happened and that you’ll be filing a claim under your uninsured motorist coverage. Don’t give them a recorded statement without talking to a lawyer first. Anything you say can be used to reduce your claim.

Don’t accept a quick settlement. Insurance companies will try to get you to settle before you know the full extent of your injuries. Once you settle, you can’t reopen your claim. Talk to an experienced Dallas hit and run lawyer before signing anything.

When the Hit and Run Driver Is Found

Sometimes, police find the driver who fled. When that happens, you have more options. You can file a claim against their insurance policy, or if they don’t have insurance, you can pursue a lawsuit against them personally.

Under Texas Transportation Code § 550.021, leaving the scene of an accident is a crime. If someone is injured, it’s a third-degree felony punishable by two to ten years in prison. If someone dies, it’s a second-degree felony with a prison term of two to 20 years. These criminal penalties don’t compensate you, but they show how seriously Texas takes hit and run accidents.

Finding the driver doesn’t solve all your problems. They may not have insurance. They may not have assets you can recover. This is why uninsured motorist coverage matters. Even if the driver is identified, your UM coverage can still provide compensation when the at-fault driver’s resources fall short.

How Texas Comparative Negligence Law Affects Your Claim

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001. This means if you’re partially at fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re more than 50 percent at fault, you can’t recover anything.

In a hit and run case, insurance companies may try to shift blame to you. They’ll argue you were speeding, not paying attention, or violated a traffic law. These arguments are designed to reduce what they have to pay. We counter these tactics by gathering evidence that shows the other driver’s conduct caused the accident and your injuries.

Dealing With Medical Bills While Your Claim Is Pending

Medical bills don’t wait for your insurance claim to settle. If you’re struggling to pay for treatment, there are options.

Some health insurance policies cover injuries from auto accidents. Check your policy. If your health insurance pays for treatment, they may have a subrogation lien that allows them to recover what they paid from your settlement. We negotiate these liens to maximize what you keep.

Many medical providers will treat you on a lien basis, meaning they agree to wait for payment until your case settles. This allows you to get the care you need without paying upfront. We work with providers who understand personal injury cases and are willing to wait.

If your financial situation is severe, we can push for a faster resolution of your claim or explore other options like personal injury protection (PIP) coverage if your policy includes it.

Get the Compensation You Deserve. If you were hurt by a driver who fled, don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you. Call us at (214) 903-4000 for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and fight to recover every dollar you’re owed.

How Long You Have to File a Claim

Texas law sets strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue.

Your insurance claim doesn’t have the same deadline, but you should file it as soon as possible. Most insurance policies require you to notify your insurer promptly after an accident. Waiting too long can give the insurance company grounds to deny your claim.

Don’t wait. The sooner you start the process, the sooner you can get the compensation you need.

Why Dallas Hit and Run Cases Require Specialized Legal Help

Not all personal injury lawyers handle hit and run cases well. These cases are more complex because you’re dealing with your own insurance company instead of a third party. The relationship is different. The strategies are different. You need a lawyer who understands how UM claims work and how to fight for full value.

We’ve handled hundreds of personal injury cases across Texas. We know how insurance companies operate in Dallas County. We know which adjusters play fair and which ones try to lowball every claim. We know how to present your case in a way that forces the insurance company to take you seriously.

We also prepare every case for trial. Most hit and run claims settle before litigation, but insurance companies only offer fair settlements when they know you’re willing to go to court. Our trial experience puts pressure on insurers to pay what your case is worth.

What to Expect When You Work With Varghese Summersett

When you hire us, we immediately start building your case. We review the police report, gather evidence, and contact witnesses. We work with your medical providers to document your injuries and understand the full scope of your treatment needs.

We handle all communication with the insurance company. You don’t have to talk to adjusters or worry about saying the wrong thing. We present your claim professionally and demand fair compensation. If the insurance company doesn’t offer a reasonable settlement, we file a lawsuit and take your case to court.

You don’t pay us unless we win. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee comes from your settlement or verdict. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you don’t owe us anything. This allows you to pursue your claim without worrying about upfront legal costs.

Our team includes attorneys and legal professionals across four Texas offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and Southlake.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas Hit and Run Accidents

What if I don’t have uninsured motorist coverage?

If you don’t have UM coverage, your options are limited. You can still file a claim through your health insurance or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage if you have it. You can also sue the at-fault driver if they’re identified, though recovering compensation from an uninsured driver is difficult. Texas law requires most insurers to offer UM coverage, so check your policy carefully. You may have coverage you weren’t aware of.

Can I file a claim if I only have the license plate number?

Yes. A license plate number helps identify the at-fault driver. Give this information to the police immediately. They can use it to track down the driver. Once the driver is identified, you can file a claim against their insurance or pursue them personally if they’re uninsured. Even if the police don’t find the driver right away, having the plate number strengthens your case.

What happens if the other driver says I hit them and left?

This is a false accusation that happens more often than it should. Drivers who flee sometimes claim you were the one who left the scene. If this happens, gather evidence immediately. Get witness statements, photos, and video footage if available. A lawyer can help you defend against false claims and protect your rights.

How long does a hit and run claim take to resolve?

It depends on the complexity of your case and how cooperative your insurance company is. Simple cases with clear injuries and minimal disputes may settle in a few months. Cases involving severe injuries, large claims, or uncooperative insurers can take a year or more. We work to resolve your case as quickly as possible while ensuring you receive full compensation.

What if the driver who hit me was drunk?

If the at-fault driver is found and was intoxicated, you may be able to pursue punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. Punitive damages punish the defendant for reckless conduct. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 41.003, punitive damages are available when someone acts with gross negligence. Drunk driving often qualifies. These damages can significantly increase the value of your case.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

You don’t have to face this alone. If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident in Dallas, we can help. Call (214) 903-4000 to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and explain how we can help you recover compensation.

Hit and run accidents leave victims feeling helpless and alone. But you have options, and we’re here to help you pursue them. Let us handle the insurance company while you focus on healing. Contact Varghese Summersett today.