Texas Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents are among the most upsetting accidents in which a person can be involved. The State of Texas takes a serious stance when it comes to hit-and-run drivers – especially when they leave someone injured and/or leave serious property damage in their wake. When motorists get behind the wheel, they shoulder an immense responsibility that includes safely following the rules of the road. Hit-and-run drivers not only fail to drive safely but also fail to honor their responsibility in the matter, and the law responds accordingly. If a hit-and-run driver has left you injured, you need an experienced Central Texas personal injury attorney.
Texas Hit-and-Run Laws
Texas law requires drivers who are involved in car accidents to stop at the scene of the accident, to render aid (as necessary), and to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. A negligent driver who leaves the scene of the accident engages in a hit-and-run accident, and that driver can be charged – depending on how serious the damages and injuries are – with anything from a misdemeanor to a felony.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents are on the rise, and negligent drivers often leave the scene in an attempt to avoid facing the consequences of their bad choices. Typically, hit-and-run drivers are attempting to hide the fact that they should not have been driving in the first place:
Driving under the Influence
There is not a driver among us who does not know that driving under the influence of alcohol is extremely dangerous, and yet many people continue to do so. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shares that nearly one in three traffic deaths in America involves an impaired motorist. Further, Texas drivers self-report driving under the influence at a higher rate than the national level.
Distracted Driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares that – in 2016 alone – distracted drivers caused more than 3,500 traffic fatalities. Distracted driving is any driving in which the driver fails to focus entirely on the primary task of driving safely. Smartphones are an especially dangerous distraction.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive drivers endanger everyone with whom they share the road, and you know an aggressive driver when you see one. Aggressive drivers often engage in multiple bad driving habits at the same time, including speeding, tailgating, weaving, illegal passing, failing to obey traffic signs and signals, and/or honking incessantly.
If a Hit-and-Run Driver Has Left You Injured, Consult with a Central Texas Personal Injury Attorney Today
Hit-and-run accidents are extremely upsetting, and if you have been hurt in one, you may not know where to turn. Attorney Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Central Texas is here to help. Mr. Pritchard has the experience, dedication, and compassion to aggressively advocate for the compensation to which you are entitled. For more information, please contact or call us at (254) 220-4225 today.