Hit-and-run accidents in Texas present unique challenges because the at-fault driver has fled the scene. Texas reports thousands of hit-and-run crashes annually, and penalties for leaving the scene range from misdemeanor to felony charges depending on injury severity. Victims may recover through their own uninsured motorist coverage, and law enforcement investigation may eventually identify the responsible driver.
Get My Free Hit-and-Run Estimate →Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury is a felony in Texas (Texas Transportation Code Section 550.021). The two-year statute of limitations applies to civil claims. If the driver is not identified, you can file a claim under your UM/UIM coverage. If the driver is later found, you can pursue a standard negligence claim plus potential punitive damages for fleeing.
Statute of Limitations
2 Years
Comparative Fault
51% Bar Rule
Damage Caps
No Cap
When the at-fault driver is identified: minor injuries settle for $15,000 to $40,000, moderate for $40,000 to $125,000, severe for $125,000 to $500,000+. When relying on UM/UIM coverage, settlements depend on your policy limits.
| Severity | Typical Settlement Range |
|---|---|
| Minor Injury | $15,000 |
| Moderate Injury | $40,000 - $125,000 |
| Severe / Catastrophic | $125,000 - $500,000+ |
These ranges are based on publicly available Texas verdict and settlement data. Actual outcomes vary based on specific facts and circumstances.
Whiplash, Broken Bones (Fractures), Concussion, Soft Tissue Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Back Injury
Our AI-powered estimator analyzes your hit and run case details against thousands of Texas verdicts and settlements to give you a personalized estimate of what your case may be worth. It takes just a few minutes, is completely confidential, and costs nothing.
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Car Accident • Pedestrian Accident • Drunk Driving Accident • Bicycle Accident • Wrongful Death
Call 911 immediately. Try to note the other vehicle's description, license plate, direction of travel. Get witness information. File a police report. Seek medical attention. Contact your own insurance company about UM/UIM coverage.
Yes, if you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto policy. This coverage pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits.
Leaving the scene of an accident with injuries is a third-degree felony in Texas, punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. If the accident results in death, penalties are more severe.
Yes. In Texas, UM/UIM coverage applies to hit-and-run accidents. Texas law requires insurance companies to offer UM/UIM coverage, though you may have rejected it in writing.
There is no fixed timeline. Police may use traffic cameras, surveillance footage, witness descriptions, and forensic evidence (paint transfer, vehicle parts) to identify the driver. More serious injury cases receive higher investigation priority.
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