What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in Texas

A hit-and-run is a criminal offense in Texas under Transportation Code §550.021–§550.023. Whether you are the victim or a witness, your priorities are safety, medical care, documentation, and prompt reporting.

1. Ensure Immediate Safety

• Move yourself (and your vehicle, if operable) out of traffic to a safe location.
• Turn on hazard lights.
• Do not pursue the fleeing driver. This increases risk and can complicate liability.

2. Call 911

• Report the crash immediately, especially if there are injuries.
• Provide:
• • Exact location (street names, mile markers, landmarks)
  • Direction the other vehicle fled
  • Description of the vehicle and driver (see Step 4)

In Texas, police are required to file an official crash report (CR-3). Having law enforcement respond strengthens documentation for insurance and potential criminal prosecution.

3. Check for Injuries and Render Aid

• Texas law requires reasonable assistance to injured parties.
• Request EMS if anyone is hurt.
• Even if injuries seem minor, adrenaline can mask symptoms—seek medical evaluation.

4. Document Everything Immediately

Time is critical. Write down or record:

• Vehicle description: make, model, color, body type (SUV, pickup, sedan), damage
• License plate number (even partial plates help)
• Driver description: gender, approximate age, clothing
• Direction of travel
• Time and exact location
• Road conditions and traffic signals

If safe, take photos or video of:

• Vehicle damage
• Debris
• Skid marks
• Intersection layout
• Nearby businesses (possible surveillance cameras)

5. Identify and Speak to Witnesses

• Ask for names and contact information.
• Request they remain until police arrive, if possible.
• Independent witness statements are often decisive in hit-and-run investigations.

6. Cooperate Fully With Law Enforcement

• Provide a clear, factual account.
• Request the responding officer’s:
• • Name
  • Badge number
  • Report number

You can later obtain a copy of the crash report through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Crash Records Information System (CRIS).

7. Notify Your Insurance Company Promptly

Report the claim as soon as possible. In Texas, compensation often comes from:

• Uninsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage – typically applies to hit-and-run incidents
• Collision coverage – covers vehicle damage regardless of fault
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – covers medical expenses regardless of fault (mandatory offer in Texas unless rejected in writing)

Provide your insurer with:

• Police report number
• Photos and documentation
• Medical records (if applicable)

8. Seek Medical Evaluation

Even if you feel fine:

• Get checked for concussions, soft tissue injuries, or internal injuries.
• Maintain all medical records and receipts.

Delayed symptoms are common and documented medical care strengthens insurance claims.

9. Monitor for Investigation Updates

Hit-and-run is a criminal offense in Texas. Penalties range from:

• Class C misdemeanor (property damage only)
• Up to second-degree felony (serious bodily injury or death)

You may be contacted if a suspect is identified.

10. Consider Victim Assistance Resources

If injured, you may qualify for assistance through the Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation Program, which can help with:

• Medical bills
• Counseling
• Lost wages

Applications are handled through the Texas Attorney General’s Office.

If You Are Only a Witness

Follow Steps 1, 2, 4, and 5:

• Stay at the scene.
• Provide your statement and contact information.
• Share any photos or dashcam footage with police.

Witness cooperation significantly increases the likelihood of identifying the fleeing driver.

If You Hit an Unattended Vehicle

• If you hit an unattended vehicle, first try to find the driver.
• If you can’t, write a note with your name, phone number, address, insurance information, and an explanation of what happened. Leave it on the car in a conspicuous place, like the windshield.
• If you were driving a vehicle you don’t own, leave the owner’s contact information (name and address) instead.¹

Recovering compensation after a hit-and-run depends on whether the at-fault driver is identified and what insurance coverage you carry. In Texas, drivers are financially responsible for damages they cause, but when a driver flees, recovery often shifts to your own policy.

If the driver is identified, you can pursue compensation through their liability insurance or a lawsuit. You can recover your medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repair/replacement costs, pain and suffering, and other out-of-pocket expenses.

If the driver is never found, recovery usually depends on whether you carry uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage, collision coverage, or personal injury protection (PIP). Bodily injury UIM and PIP both cover medical bills and lost wages. PIP can also cover expenses like childcare. Collision coverage and property damage UIM cover repairs to your vehicle.

Important Deadlines

• The statute of limitations for personal injury (including hit-and-runs) in Texas is generally two years from the date of the crash.
• Insurance policies require prompt notice of a claim—delays can jeopardize coverage.

Because hit-and-run claims can involve disputes about proof and coverage, documentation (police reports, medical records, photos, witness statements) is critical.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 8 percent of fatal crashes between 2013 and 2023 involved a hit-and-run.²

Pedestrians and Cyclists

The vast majority of people killed in hit-and-runs are pedestrians and cyclists. It’s critical that drivers pay attention to individuals walking or riding a bike, and stop immediately to provide help in the event of a crash.

Between 2013 and 2023, 91 percent of fatal hit-and-runs in Texas involved a pedestrian or cyclist.

Driver Characteristics

Sex

Over half of drivers involved in hit-and-runs in Texas in 2023 were men.

Documentation and prompt reporting after a hit-and-run are critical. Do not chase the vehicle. Instead, call 911, gather details safely, obtain a police report, and notify your insurer immediately.