As a Texas driver, it’s a good idea to think about what you’ll do if you are involved in a car crash. Afterall, the chances of being involved in a collision are fairly high. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, a traffic accident took place somewhere in the state every 56 seconds in 2019. By knowing what to do ahead of time, you can more easily remember what to do during the tense aftermath of a car accident. Exchanging information is one of the most important things to do following a vehicle collision.
After being injured by a reckless driver, a personal injury attorney in Houston at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD can help you pursue maximum compensation for your damages. Exchanging information is a crucial way to make sure that the at-fault party is held accountable for their role in an accident.
What Is Required Under State Law?
Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.021, the driver of a motor vehicle must stop the vehicle immediately, determine if anyone has been injured, and remain at the scene until all necessary information has been provided in any collision involving personal injury or death. The information that must be exchanged following a Texas auto accident includes:
- The name and address of the driver
- The registration number of the vehicle
- The name of the driver’s auto insurance provider
- If requested, the operator’s driver’s license
The driver of a motor vehicle is required to provide this information to anyone who has been hurt, as well as to the operator or occupants of other vehicles involved in the collision. If the traffic accident entails hitting an unoccupied vehicle, the driver has to leave his or her name, address, and a brief description of the accident in a visible and secure location on the vehicle.
Moreover, if an automobile accident results in someone’s injury or death, or if the vehicle is damaged to the point that it can no longer be driven properly and safely, the driver is required to report the accident to the authorities immediately. If there are resulting injuries, fatalities, or property damage totaling more than $1,000, a police officer will file an accident report.
Hit-and-Run Laws in Texas
When a driver flees the site of a traffic accident in Texas without satisfying his or her legal obligations, which include exchanging information with the involved parties, he or she has committed a hit-and-run. A hit-and-run is a serious offense in Texas, as departing the site of an accident can be dangerous to the health of those who have been harmed in the collision. Failure to stop and provide aid could result in a victim suffering more severe or even fatal injuries.
In Texas, a hit-and-run is a second-degree felony if it ends in the death of another person. If substantial bodily injury occurs, it is considered a third-degree crime. Leaving the scene of a minor collision without completing the duties of a driver is a class B or C misdemeanor, depending on the severity of the resulting damage. A Texas hit-and-run offense can result in years in prison and substantial fines.
Why You Need to Exchange Information After an Auto Accident
If you want to avoid a hit-and-run charge in Texas, you must fulfill your responsibilities to exchange information with others following an automobile collision. However, exchanging information for your personal benefit during an insurance claim is equally crucial. To file a claim for benefits for your healthcare costs and property repairs, you’ll need the other driver’s information.
A driver who causes an automobile accident in Texas will be held liable for any related damages. If you suspect the other driver is at fault, you will file a claim with his or her insurance company. You may be unable to file a claim if you do not obtain the other driver’s details at the site of the accident.
Consult a Houston car accident attorney near you for further information on what to do following a car accident in Texas, including how to manage the claims process.
Car Crash Attorneys in Houston TX
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact the Houston personal injury lawyers at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD for help. Our legal team possesses the essential information, abilities, and legal competence to successfully handle every aspect of your claim. We can speak with the insurers to defend your right to a favorable settlement or verdict, and if required, file a lawsuit on your behalf in court to vindicate your rights. We represent the interests of ordinary people, not the demands of big businesses.
Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD and Nader Rabie, JD can help you hold a negligent individual or business accountable for their conduct following a catastrophic accident.
Call West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD now at (713) 840-7200 to book a consultation and discuss your case if you or a loved one has been unfairly injured in a serious accident.
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