You were just hit and the other driver took off. After a hit-and-run accident in Houston, do three things fast: call 911, get medical care, and report the crash to police. Because the driver fled, your own uninsured motorist coverage is often the main way you get your costs back while investigators try to track them down.
What to do immediately after a hit-and-run
Right now, two things matter most: your safety and your evidence. If you’re able, do this at the scene:
- Call 911 so an officer writes an official report. You’ll need it for your insurance claim.
- Write down everything you remember about the car that fled: color, make, partial plate, which way it went, and any damage.
- Photograph your vehicle, the roadway, the debris, and your injuries.
- Ask nearby drivers, pedestrians, or businesses whether they saw it or have dashcam or security footage.
Get checked by a doctor the same day, even if it feels minor. It protects your health and ties any injuries to the crash.
How uninsured motorist coverage helps
Texas is an at-fault state, so normally the driver who caused the wreck pays for it. But when that driver runs and is never found, there’s no one to bill. That’s where uninsured motorist (UM) coverage comes in. A hit-and-run driver is generally treated as uninsured, so the UM coverage on your own auto policy may pay for your medical bills, lost income, and vehicle damage. In Texas, insurers have to offer UM/UIM coverage, and you have to reject it in writing to opt out, so you may already carry it without knowing.
Finding the driver who fled
Police and insurers have real tools for running down a hit-and-run driver. Nearby traffic cameras, business surveillance, doorbell cameras, and witness descriptions can pin down a vehicle or a plate. Paint transfer and debris left at the scene sometimes point to a specific make or model. The faster you report it and lock down the scene details, the better their odds. Keep a copy of your Texas crash report and stay on top of the case number.
Deadlines and general information
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a car-accident injury claim (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003). Uninsured motorist claims run through your own insurer and carry their own notice and cooperation rules, so read your policy right away. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I recover money if the hit-and-run driver is never found?
Often, yes. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, it may pay for your injuries and, in some cases, your vehicle damage even when the at-fault driver is never identified. Check your own policy or ask your insurer about your UM/UIM limits.
Do I have to report a hit-and-run to the police?
Report it. It’s strongly recommended and usually required for a valid uninsured motorist claim. A police report documents that a phantom or fleeing driver caused the crash, and insurers lean on that when they evaluate the claim.
How long do I have to act after a hit-and-run in Houston?
The general Texas deadline for injury claims is two years, but your insurance policy can demand notice much sooner. Report the crash and call your insurer as soon as you can.
Learn more about uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, review the steps for what to do after a car accident in Houston, see how to get your Texas crash report (CR-3), and understand the Texas car accident statute of limitations.