Accidents move fast. This guide doesn't. Every step below is attorney-reviewed, specific to Dallas, Texas law, and written in plain language instead of legal jargon — with each answer linked to its source, so you don't miss what matters.
This guide applies to Texas law only. Texas-specific statutes (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003, Tex. Transp. Code, Tex. Ins. Code), the 51% modified-comparative-fault bar, and Texas insurance minimums govern motor vehicle accident claims in Texas, they do not apply to accidents in other states.
If you were the victim of a hit-and-run in Dallas, your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is your primary recovery path. Texas gives you 2 years to file a lawsuit under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003.
Immediate steps after a hit-and-run:
- Call 911 immediately, a police report is essential for UM claims. Note the fleeing vehicle's color, make, model, and any partial plate numbers
- UM/UIM coverage is your primary path when the at-fault driver is unidentified. Texas insurers must offer UM coverage, but you can reject it in writing
- Police report deadline: File within 10 days at any Dallas PD substation if officers did not respond to the scene
- Leaving the scene is a criminal offense under Tex. Transp. Code § 550.021
If you declined UM coverage, your options narrow significantly. Contact a Dallas hit-and-run attorney to identify all available recovery paths.
Quick Answer — Source Index4§ 2 LAW◎ 2 GOVclaim-level sources
Texas Statute of Limitations: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 16Texas Statute of Limitations: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 16✓ Official (source-only)
Texas Hit-and-Run Law: Tex. Transp. Code Ch. 550Texas Hit-and-Run Law: Tex. Transp. Code Ch. 550✓ Official (source-only)
TxDOT Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics 2024TxDOT Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics 2024✓ Official (source-only)
Texas Department of Insurance: UM/UIM CoverageTexas Department of Insurance: UM/UIM Coverage✓ Official (source-only)
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Right now · first hours
At the scene
Medical first. Concussion and internal injuries can appear hours after a crash. A worsening headache, confusion, repeated vomiting, or numbness means emergency care now (CDC head-injury danger signs).
- 1
Call 911 immediately. Note everything about the fleeing vehicle: color, make, model, direction of travel, and any partial license plate characters. A police report is required for any UM/UIM insurance claim.
- 2
Look for witnesses and ask them to stay until police arrive. Note nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and residential doorbell cameras that may have captured the fleeing vehicle.
- 3
Photograph your vehicle damage, any debris or paint transfer left by the fleeing vehicle, your injuries, and the exact crash location.
Do not
- ✕Leave the scene before police arrive. The CR-3 report is the gateway to every recovery path you have.
- ✕Assume there is no recovery because the driver was never found. Texas UM/UIM coverage was designed for exactly this situation.
First 72 hours
Report & preserve evidence
Hit-and-run recovery in Texas runs primarily through your Uninsured Motorist coverage. Which options are available depends on whether you carry UM/UIM coverage, and both tracks have practical deadlines well within the 2-year window.
- If you have UM/UIM coverage: file a claim against your own insurer. In a UM hit-and-run claim, your insurer is an adverse party paying from their own funds, and they will scrutinize your claim just as hard as a third-party claim.
- If you declined UM coverage: your options narrow to suing a John Doe defendant directly, which requires proving the hit-and-run caused your injuries with corroborating evidence beyond your own testimony.
- Get an attorney involved early. Your insurer will question whether the hit-and-run actually occurred, whether your injuries are related, and whether you took reasonable steps to identify the driver.
Why a hit-and-run is different
Texas UM/UIM coverage is the backstop, but it comes with adversarial dynamics and evidence requirements most victims do not expect:
- UM coverage is not automatic. Texas insurers must offer UM/UIM, but drivers can reject it in writing. Check your declarations page now if you are unsure.
- Leaving an injury scene is a felony. Tex. Transp. Code § 550.021 carries up to 5 years in prison for leaving a personal-injury crash. The criminal investigation can sometimes surface the driver.
- Your insurer fights UM claims harder. In a standard claim you are filing against another driver's insurer. In a UM hit-and-run claim you are filing against your own insurer, who pays from their own funds and has financial incentives to minimize your payout.
- Surveillance footage disappears fast. Business cameras and traffic cameras overwrite within 24 to 72 hours. Canvas the area immediately and have your attorney send preservation requests to nearby businesses.
Leaving the scene of a crash involving injury is a felony in Texas under Tex. Transp. Code § 550.021, carrying up to 5 years in prison.
Despite criminal penalties, many hit-and-run drivers in Dallas are never identified. UM/UIM coverage is the only reliable recovery mechanism when the at-fault driver flees.
Source: Texas Transportation Code Ch. 550
Legal detailsKey numbers for this case typeUM/UIM coverage rules, the criminal penalty for fleeing, and Texas filing deadlines, with sources.▼
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Texas statute of limitations, personal injury | 2 years from accident date | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003 |
| Criminal penalty for leaving the scene (injury crash) | Felony, up to 5 years in prison | Tex. Transp. Code § 550.021 |
| UM/UIM coverage requirement | Must be offered; can be rejected in writing | Texas Department of Insurance |
| Texas minimum liability coverage | $50,000/$100,000/$40,000 | Tex. Transp. Code § 601.072 (updated Jan 1, 2026) |
| Modified comparative negligence threshold | 51%, exceed this and you recover nothing | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001 |
First 2 weeks · before you sign
Protect the claim before you sign anything
- Document your search for the driver: the CR-3 report number, witness statements, and any camera canvass you conducted. This record supports both the UM claim and any John Doe suit.
- Confirm your UM/UIM coverage limits now. If limits are lower than your damages, talk to your attorney about whether the criminal investigation might lead to an identified defendant with a separate policy.
A quick settlement offer is information to weigh against your full and future costs, not something this page can tell you to accept or reject. When the stakes are unclear, that is a good moment for a licensed Texas attorney.
Local resources (Dallas)
Get your crash report
Texas Peace Officers file a CR-3 crash report for any injury crash. Request it from the TxDOT Crash Records Information System (CRIS) or from the reporting agency. Reports are typically available within 10 business days.
Verified as of Jun 2026Tow and impound
If Dallas PD ordered the tow, contact the Dallas Police non-emergency line (214-671-3100) or check the tow company noted on the CR-3. Bring ID, proof of ownership, and insurance. Daily storage fees accumulate quickly.
Verified as of Jun 2026Body shop
You choose your own repair shop. Under Tex. Ins. Code § 1952.301, the insurer cannot require a specific shop. Ask for an itemized estimate.
Verified as of Jun 2026Medical records
Request copies from each provider. Keep one folder with every bill, imaging report, and visit summary. You will need them to document both PIP claims and any lawsuit.
Verified as of Jun 2026Hospitals & emergency contacts
Emergency and trauma care (Dallas)
Parkland Memorial Hospital is the Dallas County Level I trauma center. For severe injuries, call 911 and EMS will route to the appropriate facility.
Verified as of Jun 2026Police and crash reports
Call 911 for any injury crash. Non-emergency: 214-671-3100. If police do not respond to the scene, you may file a report at any Dallas Police Department substation within 10 days. Always get the CR-3 report number.
Verified as of Jun 2026Common mistakes to avoid
- 1
Failing to file a police report immediately.
- 2
Not checking for surveillance footage within 24 hours.
- 3
Assuming you have no claim if the driver is never found.
- 4
Treating your own insurer as an ally in a UM claim.
Can you handle this yourself?
Do you need a lawyer for this?
When you want a verified local attorney
Hit-and-run claims in Texas are adversarial from the start because your own insurer is the defendant. The verified partner firm for Dallas can take it from here. One firm, credential-checked. No lead auction.
See the verified firm and start a free evaluationWhat runs out, and when
- 2 years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). Miss it and the claim is permanently barred.
- 6 months to file a formal notice if a government vehicle was involved (city bus, DPD vehicle, TxDOT equipment), sometimes as little as 90 days. Verify your situation immediately.
- Exceptions: deadlines for minors can be tolled under Texas law, and government-claim notice deadlines are almost never extended. Verify your specific situation with a licensed Texas attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a hit-and-run in Dallas?▼
Call 911, note everything about the fleeing vehicle (color, make, direction, partial plate), find witnesses, check for surveillance cameras, photograph the scene, and seek medical care the same day. File a police report within 24 hours and contact a hit-and-run attorney to file a UM claim.
What happens if the hit-and-run driver is never found in Texas?▼
Your Uninsured Motorist coverage becomes your primary recovery path. UM coverage pays for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering even when the at-fault driver is unidentified. If you declined UM coverage, your options are limited to suing a John Doe defendant, which requires proving the hit-and-run caused your injuries.
Can I still get compensation if the other driver fled the scene?▼
Yes, through your UM/UIM insurance policy. Texas insurers must offer UM coverage, though drivers can decline it in writing. If you have UM coverage, it applies to hit-and-run crashes where the at-fault driver is unidentified. Contact your insurer and a hit-and-run attorney to file the claim.
Will my insurance cover a hit-and-run in Texas?▼
Your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage covers hit-and-run crashes. Your collision coverage may cover vehicle damage but not medical expenses. If you have both UM and collision coverage, you can file separate claims. If you declined UM coverage, only collision applies, and medical costs are your responsibility.
What are the penalties for a hit-and-run in Texas?▼
Leaving the scene of a crash involving injury is a felony under Tex. Transp. Code § 550.021, carrying up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $5,000. If the crash caused death, penalties increase to up to 20 years. Property-damage-only hit-and-runs are misdemeanors.
How long do police investigate a hit-and-run in Dallas?▼
Investigation timelines vary. Dallas PD prioritizes hit-and-run cases involving serious injury or death. Cases with surveillance footage or witness descriptions of the vehicle get more investigative resources. Minor property-damage cases may receive limited follow-up. Filing a detailed police report with all available evidence increases the chance of identification.
Do I have to file a police report for a hit-and-run in Texas?▼
Texas law requires drivers involved in any crash to stop and exchange information. If the other driver fled, you should file a police report to document the hit-and-run. The report is essential for UM insurance claims and any future lawsuit. File at any Dallas PD substation if officers did not respond to the scene.
Can I use my PIP coverage after a hit-and-run in Dallas?▼
Yes. If you carry Personal Injury Protection, PIP pays for medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault, including hit-and-run crashes. PIP provides immediate financial relief while your UM claim is being processed. Texas insurers must offer PIP, though drivers can reject it in writing.
How this was verified
Reviewed by: Not Yet Claimed · TX Bar #0000000 · Data as of: Mar 2026 · Next review: 2026-Q3.
What we did not verify: the facts of your specific crash, or any outcome.
Sources & Citations
- statute[1] Texas Statute of Limitations: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 16 ↗
- statute[2] Texas Hit-and-Run Law: Tex. Transp. Code Ch. 550 ↗
- .gov[3] TxDOT Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics 2024 ↗
- .gov[4] Texas Department of Insurance: UM/UIM Coverage ↗
This guide applies to Texas law only and provides legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and apply differently to each situation. For advice about your case, talk to a licensed Texas attorney.
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