Car accidents
Hit-and-Run Accident in Texas? How to Recover Compensation
A hit-and-run is one of the most frustrating situations a Texas accident victim can face — the person who caused your injuries left the scene, and you may not know who they are. But leaving the scene is a crime, and it doesn't leave you without options. Your own uninsured motorist coverage can step in, and in some cases police can identify the driver later. Here's what to do and how to recover. For city-specific resources, see our Texas accident guides. For a dollar estimate, see our hit-and-run accident settlement calculator.
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Prepared by Texas Settlement Calculator Editorial Team · Published 2026-08-16 · Editorial standards
The first 24 hours matter most
After a hit-and-run, prompt reporting and documentation may be important under the policy and applicable law. If safe and appropriate, report the incident to law enforcement and preserve available witness information, photographs, vehicle damage evidence, dashcam footage, and nearby surveillance sources. Check the actual policy for notice and proof requirements rather than relying on a universal deadline.
How UM coverage handles a hit-and-run
UM coverage may apply to an unknown-driver hit-and-run depending on the policy and Texas law. Texas Insurance Code § 1952.104 includes an actual-physical-contact requirement when the owner or operator is unknown. Policy notice, proof, exclusions, limits and recoverable damages require review of the actual policy and circumstances. Learn more in our uninsured driver guide and estimate your claim with the hit-and-run settlement calculator.
What if the driver is identified later?
Police sometimes locate hit-and-run drivers through license-plate witnesses, surveillance video, or vehicle damage matching. If the driver is identified, potentially applicable liability coverage can be investigated. UIM coverage may also be relevant when its policy terms and Texas legal requirements are satisfied; it should not be assumed to make up any particular shortfall. A driver who leaves the scene may also face criminal or administrative consequences, but any effect on a civil claim requires separate factual and legal analysis.
Proving your hit-and-run injury
In a hit-and-run claim, medical records may help document reported injuries, treatment and recovery, while police materials may document reported collision information. Seek care and follow-up based on symptoms and healthcare-provider guidance; neither a police report nor treatment timing by itself determines responsibility, damages or recovery.
What to do right now
If you haven't already, file a police report. Seek medical treatment and document your injuries. Notify your insurer of a potential UM claim. Preserve any evidence — photos, witness contacts, dashcam footage. Then estimate your case worth so you understand the value of your claim before you speak to an adjuster.
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Related Texas guides
Frequently asked questions
Can I still recover if the hit-and-run driver is never found?
Potentially, depending on the policy and Texas law. For an unknown vehicle, Texas Insurance Code § 1952.104 includes an actual-physical-contact requirement; other notice, proof and coverage terms must also be satisfied. See our hit-and-run settlement calculator for an estimate.
Does UM cover a hit-and-run in Texas?
Potentially, when the other driver cannot be identified and the policy and Texas legal requirements are satisfied. Texas Insurance Code § 1952.104 includes an actual-physical-contact requirement for an unknown vehicle.
What if there was no physical contact?
Coverage is harder. Some policies exclude hit-and-runs without physical contact (e.g., a driver who runs you off the road). Read your policy and consult a lawyer — these cases are fact-specific.
How long do I have to report a hit-and-run?
Texas Insurance Code § 1952.104 establishes an actual-physical-contact requirement for an unknown vehicle. Any police-report, notice or proof requirements should be confirmed from the applicable law and the actual policy rather than treated as a universal 30-day UM rule.
This tool produces a preliminary, non-binding estimate based on the information you provide and general personal-injury valuation methods. It is not legal advice, not a guarantee of any outcome, and not a substitute for review by a licensed attorney. Actual settlements and verdicts vary widely based on evidence, jurisdiction, insurance coverage, and many other factors. Texas Settlement Calculator is not a law firm and does not practice law; use of this tool does not create an attorney-client relationship.