Texas Hit and Run Law

If you have been involved in a car accident, the law requires that you stop and provide your information to the other driver. Failure to do so can result in a misdemeanor criminal charge for failure to stop and give information. If you have been charged under Texas hit and run laws, we recommend that you seek legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Understand the Law

Texas law requires that you stop your vehicle and remain at the scene of an accident if you were involved in a collision with another vehicle that resulted in damage to that vehicle. If only your vehicle was damaged, you do not have a duty to stop. Once stopped, you must remain at the scene of the accident until you provide the necessary information to the other driver. You are free to leave unless someone injured in the accident needs medical attention.

Additionally, if the accident involves a collision with a fixture, structure, or highway landscaping, the operator of the vehicle must take reasonable steps to locate and notify the owner.

What Information Are You Required to Provide?

Texas law is very specific as to what information must be provided to the other driver:

• Your name and address
• The registration number of your vehicle
• The name of your insurance company

Note that Texas law only requires that you show your driver’s license if the other driver requests it and it is available.

“Hit and Run” Is a Misdemeanor Offense

Failure to stop and give information is generally charged as a misdemeanor, the severity of which will be determined by the damage caused to the other vehicle or property:

• If the damage is less than $200, it is a Class C misdemeanor. If convicted, you could be fined up to $500.
• If the damage is more than $200, it is a Class B misdemeanor. If convicted, you could be fined up to $2,000 and face up to 180 days in jail.

Given the current cost of car repairs, it is very likely that you could be facing a Class B misdemeanor hit-and-run charge. As a result, we recommend that you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Hit and Run Collisions Involving Injury or Death

Up to this point, we have been discussing scenarios where the collision resulted only in damage to the other vehicle. If you leave the scene of the accident without providing the required information, you could be facing a felony hit-and-run charge:

• A second-degree felony if the accident resulted in death
• A third-degree felony if the accident resulted in serious bodily injury
• Five years in the Texas Department of Corrections or up to one year in the County Jail with up to $5000 fine if the accident resulted in bodily injury

These are severe charges and may be on top of other charges, such as manslaughter or vehicular homicide.

Contact Barton & Associates, Attorneys At Law, PLLC Today

If you are facing hit-and-run charges, protect your freedom by getting the help you need. Contact us today to speak with a criminal defense lawyer about your case and how we can help.