A driver hit you and took off, leaving you injured and without answers, but you still have legal options. At The NMW Law Firm, we have represented victims of hit and run car accidents throughout the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area.
We have a record of identifying fleeing drivers, pursuing every available insurance source, and recovering full compensation, even when the at-fault party is never caught. Our Plano hit and run accident lawyer team knows what it takes to build a strong claim when the other side disappears from the scene, and we move quickly to preserve the evidence that makes recovery possible.
Whoever hit you broke the law the moment they drove away. Call us for a free case review and let our attorneys take it from there.
Get a Free ConsultationWhat Is Failure to Stop and Give Information After a Crash in Texas?
Leaving the scene of an accident that caused injury is a criminal offense in Texas, and it also triggers a separate civil claim you can pursue for compensation. Our Plano hit and run accident lawyers handle both the investigation and the civil claim on your behalf.
Texas law (Texas Transportation Code § 550.021) requires any driver involved in a collision that causes injury or death to immediately stop at the scene, determine whether anyone needs help, and remain at the scene until they've provided their name, address, vehicle registration, and insurance information.
A driver who fails to do so commits a felony, with penalties escalating based on the severity of the injuries caused. Drivers flee for predictable reasons:
- They were driving without insurance or with a suspended license
- They had open warrants or were already wanted for another offense
- They were under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- They were driving a stolen vehicle or working under the table without authorization
- They panicked and made the worst possible decision in the moment
Whatever the reason, the legal consequences of fleeing belong to that driver, not to you. Our attorneys focus on what matters in your case: finding them, identifying their insurance coverage, and pursuing every available source of recovery. Reach out to get started on your claim right away.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Hit and Run in Plano?
Call 911 first, then start documenting everything you remember about the vehicle and driver. The window for capturing useful evidence after a hit and run is small, and what you do in the first hour often determines whether the fleeing driver gets identified.
If you can safely do so, write down the make, model, and color of the vehicle, any portion of the license plate you saw, the direction the driver was heading, and a physical description of the driver if you got a good look. Photograph the damage to your vehicle, any debris left behind, and the surrounding area.
Check for surveillance cameras on nearby businesses, traffic poles, or homes. Our investigators can later request that footage. However, cameras typically overwrite recordings within days or weeks.
Get medical attention right away. Delayed treatment doesn't just risk your health; it hands insurers an excuse to argue your injuries came from somewhere other than the crash. Plano emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and primary care evaluations create the documentation that anchors your claim.
The conversations you have in the first few days shape what your claim is worth. Reach out to our firm before speaking with any insurance company, and never provide recorded statements. You are not legally obligated to do so.
Past Case Results
What Happens If the Fleeing Driver Is Never Caught?
You can still recover compensation, even if the police never identify the driver. Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) policy step in to cover medical bills, lost income, and other damages when the at-fault party can't be found.
Who Pays Your Medical Bills After a Hit and Run in Plano?
When the at-fault driver flees and is never identified, your own auto insurance becomes the primary source of recovery. Most policies in Texas include several layers of coverage that apply in hit-and-run situations. Our Plano hit and run accident attorneys know how to access each one.
Under Texas Insurance Code § 1952.101, insurers in Texas are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage with every auto policy issued in the state. Unless you signed a written rejection of that coverage, it is part of your policy and available to you after a hit and run. Sources of compensation our firm pursues in hit and run cases include:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage for medical bills and property damages
- Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for immediate medical bills, wage losses, or funeral costs
- Medical payments (MedPay) coverage, where applicable
- Health insurance coverage with subrogation handled by our team
- The fleeing driver's policy if our investigators succeed in identifying them
Insurance companies, even your own, do not pay these claims easily. They will dispute the value of your injuries, question whether the hit and run actually happened as you described, and look for any reason to reduce or deny the payout.
Our attorneys handle that pushback directly, so you don't have to argue with the company you've been paying premiums to for years. Schedule your free consultation, and we'll tell you what coverage is available to you and what your claim is realistically worth.
How Our Attorneys Investigate Hit and Run Cases in Plano
Our firm investigates hit and run cases with private investigators, accident reconstruction specialists, and digital forensic analysts. We uncover information that police departments often lack the resources to pursue, and we move fast because evidence disappears within days.
We pull surveillance footage from nearby businesses, request traffic camera data from the City of Plano, canvas the area for witnesses, and analyze paint transfers, debris, and vehicle parts left at the scene.
The statute of limitations in Texas permits two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. That timeline matters because evidence in hit and run cases disappears faster than in standard collisions. Witnesses move, footage is deleted, and physical debris gets cleaned up. The sooner we begin, the more we have to work with.
When a hit and run results in catastrophic injuries, the urgency of identifying the driver multiplies. The difference between recovering from one driver's personal policy versus your own UM coverage can be hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Our team treats every hit and run investigation as if the entire case depends on finding the responsible party, because in many cases, it does.
Hear From Our Clients
Why Plano Trusts NMW Law After a Hit and Run
The NMW Law Firm handles hit and run claims in Collin County courts regularly and understands the procedural expectations of judges in this jurisdiction. Our team knows which questions investigators ask, which documents adjusters request, and which arguments hold up under cross-examination. That practical knowledge translates directly into stronger outcomes for our clients.
At The NMW Law Firm, we represent injured people, not insurance companies, and our practice is built around that distinction. We have recovered over $200 million in settlements and resolved more than 3,000 cases for Texas injury victims. Results may vary. Prior case outcomes do not guarantee similar results.
Our attorneys handle hit and run claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We advance the investigation costs, the expert fees, and the filing expenses from day one. If we do not recover for you, you owe us nothing.
When a hit and run takes the life of a family member, the urgency and emotional weight reach a different level entirely. Our firm has guided surviving families through wrongful death claims, holding negligent parties fully accountable.
Our attorneys also represent pedestrian injury victims struck by hit and run drivers. These cases require a different level of investigative depth, and our team has the resources to meet that demand.
Pick up the phone and let our Plano hit and run accident lawyer team start working on your case today. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to find the driver who hurt you.
FAQ: What to Know About a Hit and Run Accident in Plano
How Long Does My Insurance Company Have To Pay A Hit And Run Claim?
Texas insurers must acknowledge a claim within 15 days and accept or deny it within 15 business days after receiving all requested information. Delays beyond those windows may violate Texas insurance law, and our attorneys hold carriers accountable when they drag out the process.
Can A Bar Or Restaurant Be Held Liable If The Fleeing Driver Was Intoxicated?
Yes. Under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code § 2.02, a bar or restaurant that serves a visibly intoxicated person can be held liable when that person causes a crash. When our investigation identifies the fleeing driver and confirms they were over-served, we pursue the establishment as an additional source of recovery.
What If I Only Got A Partial License Plate Number?
Even a partial plate gives our investigators a starting point. When combined with vehicle make, model, and color, along with surveillance footage, partial plates frequently lead to positive identification of the fleeing driver, especially when our team works with local law enforcement and private databases.
Will Filing A Hit And Run Claim Raise My Insurance Rates?
Texas law prohibits insurers from raising your rates for filing an uninsured motorist claim when you were not at fault. Our attorneys make sure the claim is documented correctly so your carrier cannot improperly attribute fault to you and use it against you later.
What If The Hit And Run Caused Damage To My Car But No Visible Injuries At First?
File the claim promptly anyway and seek medical evaluation. Many serious injuries do not present symptoms for days. Documenting both the crash and any subsequent medical treatment preserves your right to recover for injuries discovered later.
Can I Recover Damages If The Hit And Run Happened In A Parking Lot?
Yes. Hit and run claims apply to crashes in parking lots, private drives, and other non-highway settings, not just public roads. Surveillance footage from the parking lot or surrounding businesses often becomes the key piece of evidence in these cases.
What If The Driver Who Fled Was Driving A Company Vehicle?
If the fleeing driver was working when they hit you, the employer may share liability under Texas law, opening access to commercial insurance coverage with significantly higher limits than personal policies carry. Our attorneys investigate employer involvement in every hit and run case.
What If A Witness Recorded The Fleeing Driver But Won't Get Involved?
Reluctant witnesses are common in hit and run cases, but our attorneys can issue subpoenas to compel testimony and request footage from anyone who recorded the incident. A witness's hesitation does not block your ability to use their evidence to strengthen your claim.
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Talk to The NMW Law Firm About Your Plano Hit and Run Case
Hit and run cases reward fast, decisive action. The evidence is time-sensitive, the insurance process is layered, and the fleeing driver's chances of being identified shrink with every passing day.
Our Plano hit and run accident lawyers are ready to start working on your behalf the moment you reach out. We bring a plan, the resources to execute it, and direct attorney involvement from the first call through resolution. Reach out for a free consultation. Let our attorneys take the weight of this off your shoulders and build the strongest possible case for your recovery.