Texas Hit-and-Run Accidents on the Rise
(August 22, 2022) Two hit-and-run accidents a week apart left two San Antonio drivers severely injured and in the hospital. So, what do you do if you’ve been hit by a vehicle and they just drove away? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two accidents, and then we’ll discuss what to do if you’ve become a victim of a hit-and-run accident.
Did you know?
There are an average of 682,000 hit-and-run accidents every year in the United States, according to the most recent AAA report.
Why Did These Accidents Happen?
On August 15, 2022, at around 12:45 a.m., just north of downtown San Antonio, a woman who was involved in an accident fled the police who responded to the scene. That’s when she plowed through an intersection and crashed into another vehicle. Four of her unidentified passengers fled the scene, but she became lodged in the debris and was detained at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle she T-boned was critically injured and transported to the hospital.
Exactly one week later, another hit-and-run accident occurred on the Northeast side of San Antonio at around 3:35 a.m. Police reported that a woman lost control of her vehicle after swerving to avoid a cyclist and crashed into a guardrail. When she stepped out of her vehicle to survey the damage, she was struck by a silver sedan that fled the scene. She was transported to the hospital in stable condition.
Hit-and-Run Accidents in Texas
The State of Texas ranks eighth highest in terms of hit-and-run accidents nationwide. In fact, the State saw a staggering thirty percent increase in hit-and-run accidents between 2015 and 2016. Nationwide, there are roughly 682,000 hit-and-run accidents which result in about 2,049 deaths every year.
There are a few reasons why a driver may flee the scene of an accident. Most commonly, those who flee the scene of an accident are driving intoxicated, which impairs their judgment and causes them to panic. Or, it could be that the driver does not have adequate insurance to cover the damages of the accident. Fleeing the scene is an illegal and extremely ill-advised way to avoid a very pricey mistake. Additionally, distracted drivers have been increasing significantly in recent years, which has significantly increased the number of pedestrian and cyclist accidents. These two road users surprisingly comprise two-thirds of all hit-and-run accidents nationwide.
What To Do if in a Hit-and-Run Accident
The first and most important step to follow when in a hit-and-run accident is to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in your vehicle. To that end, immediately move your vehicle off the road and check on your passengers. Call the police if anyone is injured. If you were alone, or if no one was injured, call the police anyway. It is very important for the insurance claim that you have a police report. Provide the police with as much detail as you can remember, including vehicle and driver characteristics. Finally, call a Texas personal injury lawyer to assist you in your fight for legal compensation.
Have you or someone you loved been injured in a hit-and-run accident in San Antonio?
The Law Office of Carabin Shaw has thirty years of experience representing the victims of hit-and-run accidents in San Antonio. Call our dedicated team today at 800-862-1260.