Hit-and-Run Lawyer in Lubbock, TX

The shock and frustration of a hit-and-run accident in Lubbock, Texas, goes beyond physical injuries. You’re left dealing with damage, medical bills, and the anger of knowing someone fled the scene without taking responsibility. Making matters worse, you may wonder if you have any legal options when the other driver vanished without a trace.

As an experienced Lubbock hit-and-run lawyer, I help hit-and-run victims in Lubbock recover compensation through uninsured motorist claims and other available coverage. Even when police can’t identify the fleeing driver, I know exactly how to navigate your insurance policy and Texas law to pursue the maximum compensation available.

My investigation starts immediately to preserve critical evidence before security footage disappears and witnesses forget important details.

At Perrin Law, you work directly with experienced hit-and-run attorney James Perrin throughout your case, not junior associates or paralegals. I handle all hit-and-run cases on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless I recover compensation for you.

The sooner we start investigating, the stronger your case becomes. Call (806) 507-9097 today for your free consultation and let me fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

How Our Hit-and-Run Lawyer in Lubbock Assists With Your Claim

Time works against you after a hit-and-run. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and security footage gets deleted. I start working immediately to preserve what matters most for your case.

Here’s exactly what I do to maximize your recovery:

• Rapid investigation: I start collecting evidence promptly to secure witness statements and any available camera footage before it can be lost.
• Insurance navigation: I handle all communications with your insurance company and guide you through uninsured motorist claims.
• Evidence preservation: My team sends legal notices to businesses requiring them to save security footage that could identify the fleeing driver.
• Claim negotiation: I fight insurance companies to ensure any settlement covers your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Trial preparation: I prepare every case for court, which strengthens our negotiating position and often leads to better settlements.

Most hit-and-run cases involve your own insurance company rather than the other driver’s insurer. This creates unique challenges that require specific experience with uninsured motorist claims.

What Should I Do After a Hit-and-Run?

Your actions in the first 72 hours can make or break your case. Taking the right steps protects both your health and your legal rights.

Call 911 and report to police

Contact 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical attention if needed. A police report is required for uninsured motorist claims and officially documents the hit-and-run incident.

If you discover damage later or weren’t initially aware of the accident’s severity, you can still file a report with Lubbock Police Department. Don’t wait—delayed reporting can complicate your insurance claim.

Photograph damage, injuries, and the scene

Take pictures of everything if you’re physically able. Document your vehicle’s damage from multiple angles, photograph any visible injuries, and capture the accident scene including skid marks, debris, or paint transfer from the other vehicle.

These photos become crucial evidence, especially when the other driver isn’t available to dispute what happened. Make sure to photograph the surrounding area, including nearby businesses that might have security cameras.

Identify witnesses and nearby cameras

Ask anyone who saw the accident for their contact information and a brief statement about what they witnessed. Even partial license plate numbers or vehicle descriptions can be valuable.

Check for security cameras at nearby businesses and note their locations in case any footage could help your case. Note the locations so you can check for security footage before it’s deleted.

Notify your insurer promptly about the hit-and-run

Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, but be careful about giving recorded statements. Insurance adjusters may ask leading questions designed to minimize your claim.

Tell them the basic facts: when and where the accident occurred, that the other driver left the scene, and that you’ve filed a police report. Avoid speculating about fault or downplaying your injuries.

Call Perrin Law before accepting any settlement

Insurance companies often make quick, low settlement offers hoping you’ll accept before understanding your claim’s true value. Once you accept a settlement, you typically can’t seek additional compensation later.

As an experienced Lubbock hit-and-run attorney, I review settlement offers at no cost to ensure they cover all your current and future expenses. Early legal representation protects your rights and often results in significantly higher compensation.

How Do We Identify a Hit-and-Run Driver?

Even small clues can lead to identifying a fleeing driver. I use every available resource and work closely with law enforcement to track down the person responsible for your injuries.

Traffic and doorbell cameras, license plate readers, and witness canvass

Modern Lubbock has cameras everywhere—traffic lights, businesses, residential doorbell systems, and automatic license plate readers. I immediately begin securing this footage before it’s automatically deleted.

My team canvasses the accident area talking to potential witnesses who might have seen the vehicle or remembered a partial license plate. We also check with nearby businesses to identify any employees who might have witnessed the crash.

Preservation letters and early subpoenas

A preservation letter is a legal notice I send to businesses demanding they save relevant video footage. This prevents automatic deletion and gives us time to properly subpoena the evidence.

If businesses don’t cooperate voluntarily, I can obtain court orders compelling them to preserve and produce footage. Acting quickly is essential because security footage is often deleted or overwritten if not preserved.

Coordination with Lubbock PD and crash reports

I work directly with investigating officers to share information and follow their progress. Sometimes additional evidence emerges days or weeks later that helps identify the fleeing driver.

If police identify the driver after you’ve filed an uninsured motorist claim, we can pursue the at-fault driver’s insurance company for additional compensation. This often provides access to higher policy limits and punitive damages.

Who Pays After a Hit-and-Run in Texas? UM, UIM, and PIP Explained

Even when the other driver disappears, you still have options for financial recovery through your own auto insurance policy. Understanding these coverages is crucial for maximizing your compensation.

Uninsured Motorist coverage (UM) pays for your injuries when you’re hit by a driver who can’t be identified or doesn’t have insurance. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) provides immediate medical coverage regardless of fault.

Uninsured motorist for hit-and-run injuries

Your UM coverage treats hit-and-run drivers the same as uninsured drivers. This coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering when the at-fault driver can’t be found or doesn’t have adequate insurance.

Texas law requires physical contact between vehicles for UM coverage to apply in hit-and-run cases. However, exceptions exist when you can prove the accident occurred and the other driver fled the scene.

Your UM coverage limits determine the maximum compensation available. If you have $100,000 in UM coverage, that’s the most your insurance company will pay for your injuries, regardless of their actual cost.

PIP and MedPay for medical bills and lost income

Personal Injury Protection provides immediate benefits while your UM claim is being processed. PIP provides immediate coverage for medical expenses and lost wages up to your policy limits.

This coverage doesn’t require proving fault and has no deductible. You can receive PIP benefits for treatment at Lubbock facilities like University Medical Center or Covenant Health System while pursuing your larger UM claim.

Medical Payments coverage (MedPay) is similar to PIP but only covers medical expenses. It provides quick access to funds for immediate medical needs without waiting for claim resolution.

Property damage options and rental car questions

Collision coverage pays for vehicle repairs after you pay your deductible. Some policies include Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage, which may have a lower deductible for hit-and-run accidents.

Rental car reimbursement helps cover transportation costs while your vehicle is being repaired. This coverage typically has daily and total limits, so understanding your policy terms is important for planning.

If your vehicle is totaled, your insurance company pays the actual cash value minus your deductible. Skilled Lubbock car accident lawyer James Perrin can help ensure their valuation is fair and accounts for your vehicle’s pre-accident condition.

What Texas Hit-and-Run Laws Mean For Your Case

Texas follows specific rules for hit-and-run accidents that affect how and when you can seek compensation. Understanding these laws helps you make informed decisions about your case.

Statute of limitations for hit-and-run injury claims

You have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. This deadline applies whether you’re suing an identified driver or pursuing an uninsured motorist claim.

If the hit-and-run driver is identified after the two-year deadline passes, you may still be able to file suit against them. However, waiting too long can make evidence harder to gather and witnesses harder to locate.

Starting your case early gives us more time to investigate, negotiate with insurance companies, and prepare for trial if necessary. Don’t wait until the deadline approaches to seek legal help.

Comparative negligence and UM claim requirements

Texas uses modified comparative fault rules, meaning you can only recover damages if you’re 50% or less at fault for the accident. Insurance companies may argue you contributed to the crash to reduce their payout.

Even in hit-and-run cases, insurers sometimes claim you were speeding, distracted, or violated traffic laws. I know how to counter these arguments and protect your right to full compensation.

Your insurance company must investigate your UM claim in good faith and can’t unreasonably delay or deny valid claims. If they act in bad faith, you may be entitled to additional damages beyond your policy limits.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Hit-and-Run?

Hit-and-run victims deserve compensation for every way the accident has impacted their lives. I fight to recover damages for both your economic losses and personal suffering.

The compensation available depends on your insurance coverage limits and the severity of your injuries. Even when the other driver isn’t found, you can still recover substantial compensation through your own policy.

Medical expenses and future care

Your medical expenses include emergency room treatment, hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy. I also pursue compensation for future medical costs when your injuries require long-term care.

This covers treatment at Lubbock medical facilities and specialists you may need to see in Dallas, Houston, or other cities. Transportation costs for medical appointments are also recoverable expenses.

Prescription medications, medical equipment, and home modifications for disability-related needs are all part of your medical expense claim. I work with your doctors to document these current and future costs.

Lost wages and future earning capacity

You can recover compensation for income lost while unable to work due to your injuries. This includes salary, hourly wages, overtime, bonuses, and self-employment income you would have earned.

If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your earning capacity, you can seek compensation for this future income loss. I work with vocational experts to calculate these damages.

Benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off that you lost due to the accident are also recoverable. These often represent significant additional value beyond your base salary.

Pain and suffering

Pain and suffering compensation addresses the physical discomfort, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by your injuries. This includes both current suffering and future impacts.

Hit-and-run accidents often cause unique emotional trauma beyond typical car crashes. The stress of being victimized by someone who fled the scene can lead to anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders.

Activities you can no longer enjoy, relationships affected by your injuries, and the overall disruption to your life all factor into pain and suffering damages. These damages often represent the largest portion of your compensation.

Property damage

Vehicle repair or replacement costs are recoverable, minus your collision deductible. I ensure insurance companies use quality parts and don’t cut corners on repairs that affect your safety.

Personal property damaged in the crash—phones, laptops, clothing, or other items—is also compensable. Keep receipts and document everything that was damaged or destroyed.

Diminished value claims address the reduced resale value of your vehicle even after proper repairs. Many insurance companies don’t automatically pay these claims, but they’re often recoverable with proper documentation.

Common Hit-and-Run Injuries

Hit-and-run accidents often result in severe injuries because fleeing drivers, including commercial truck drivers, frequently involve high speeds, impairment, or reckless driving. The unexpected nature of these crashes also prevents victims from bracing for impact.

Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycle riders face the highest risk of catastrophic injuries in hit-and-run accidents. Even vehicle occupants can suffer serious harm when the other driver flees after a high-impact collision.

The most common injuries I see in hit-and-run cases include:

• Traumatic brain injuries from head impact with windows, steering wheels, or pavement
• Spinal cord injuries that can cause partial or complete paralysis
• Multiple bone fractures requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation
• Internal organ damage that may not be immediately apparent
• Severe lacerations and scarring from broken glass or road contact
• Post-traumatic stress disorder from the trauma of being abandoned after the crash

These injuries often require months or years of treatment and can permanently change your life. Compensation should account for both immediate medical needs and long-term care requirements.

Will My Hit-and-Run Case Settle Or Go To Trial?

Most hit-and-run cases settle without going to trial, but insurance companies offer better settlements when they know you have an attorney prepared for court. My trial-ready approach strengthens every negotiation.

Uninsured motorist claims typically involve your own insurance company, which changes the dynamics compared to third-party claims. While your insurer has a duty to treat you fairly, they’re still motivated to minimize payouts.

Settlement negotiations can take several months as we gather medical records, document your injuries, and calculate future expenses. I don’t recommend accepting quick settlement offers before understanding your claim’s full value.

If your insurance company acts in bad faith by unreasonably delaying or denying your claim, we may need to file a lawsuit. Texas law provides additional remedies when insurers violate their duty to handle claims fairly.

What is My Hit-and-Run Case Worth?

Every hit-and-run case is unique, and the value depends on multiple factors specific to your situation. However, understanding these factors helps set realistic expectations for your potential recovery.

The severity and permanence of your injuries typically have the greatest impact on case value. Cases involving permanent disability, brain injuries, or chronic pain generally result in higher compensation than minor injuries that heal completely.

Key factors that influence case value include:

• Medical expenses: Both current bills and future treatment costs
• Lost income: Time missed from work and reduced earning capacity
• Insurance limits: Your UM coverage determines maximum available compensation
• Pain and suffering: The impact on your daily life and relationships
• Property damage: Vehicle and personal property losses
• Evidence strength: How clearly we can prove the other driver’s fault

The best way to understand your case’s potential value is through a detailed consultation where I can review your specific circumstances, injuries, and insurance coverage.

What if a Hit-and-Run Caused a Fatality?

Losing a loved one in a hit-and-run accident creates devastating emotional and financial hardship for families. Texas law allows certain family members to pursue wrongful death claims for compensation and justice.

Eligible family members include the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased. These claims can recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the emotional loss of companionship.

Even when the hit-and-run driver isn’t identified, families may still recover through the deceased person’s uninsured motorist coverage. Additional resources like Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation may also provide assistance.

Wrongful death cases have the same two-year statute of limitations as injury claims. However, the complexity of these cases makes early legal representation especially important for protecting your family’s rights.

Why Choose Perrin Law?

Hit-and-run cases require immediate action and specialized knowledge of uninsured motorist claims. My experience handling these complex personal injury cases gives you the best chance of maximum recovery.

I provide personal attention that larger firms can’t match. You’ll work directly with me throughout your case, not junior associates or paralegals. This ensures consistent communication and strategic decision-making.

My approach includes:

• Immediate response: I begin investigating within hours of your call to preserve crucial evidence
• Insurance expertise: Deep understanding of UM claim procedures and bad faith insurance practices
• Trial preparation: Every case is prepared for court to maximize settlement leverage
• Personal attention: Direct access to me throughout your case, not staff members
• Proven results: Decades of experience securing substantial settlements and verdicts for injury victims with successful case outcomes

I understand the unique challenges hit-and-run victims face and have the resources to thoroughly investigate your case and fight for full compensation.

No Fee Unless We Win

You shouldn’t have to worry about legal fees while recovering from your injuries. I handle all hit-and-run cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless I successfully recover compensation for you.

This fee structure allows you to access experienced legal representation regardless of your financial situation. I advance all case expenses, including investigation costs, expert witnesses, and court fees.

You only pay attorney fees if I recover money for you through settlement or trial verdict. This aligns my interests with yours—I only get paid when you get the compensation you deserve.

Hit-and-Run FAQs

Can I file a claim if the hit-and-run driver damaged my parked car?

Yes, you can file a claim through your collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage coverage if you have it. You’ll need to pay your deductible, but your insurance should cover the remaining repair costs.

What happens if I was partially at fault in a hit-and-run accident?

You can still recover compensation as long as you were 50% or less at fault under Texas comparative negligence law.

Do hit-and-run cases take longer to resolve than regular car accident cases?

Hit-and-run cases can take longer because of the investigation time needed to search for the other driver and the complexity of uninsured motorist claims. However, many cases are resolved through settlement rather than going to trial.

Can I use my health insurance while waiting for my UM claim to settle?

Yes, you should use your health insurance for immediate medical care. Your health insurer may have a right to reimbursement from your eventual settlement, but getting treatment now is most important.

What if the police find the hit-and-run driver after I’ve filed a UM claim?

If the driver is found and has insurance, we can pursue their policy for potentially higher compensation. If they’re uninsured, your UM claim continues as planned.

Will filing a UM claim increase my insurance premiums?

No, Texas law prohibits insurance companies from raising your rates for filing an uninsured motorist claim when you weren’t at fault for the accident.

Skilled Hit-and-Run Law Firm in Lubbock, Texas

Don’t let a fleeing driver leave you with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of their actions. Evidence disappears quickly in hit-and-run cases, making immediate legal action crucial for protecting your rights.

I offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your case and explain your options. There’s no obligation, and you’ll get honest answers about your situation and potential recovery.

Contact me today to start fighting for the compensation you deserve. I’m ready to take on your case and hold the responsible parties accountable—even when they try to run away from their obligations.