Texas law provides for several different ways of committing the crime of failure to stop and render aid (often called “hit and run” or “hit and skip”). Hit and run accidents can involve another car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian. Although most hit and run cases involve only property damage to an occupied vehicle or inanimate object, the most serious cases can involve serious personal injury or even death. Show
Never leave the scene of a crash until you have fulfilled all of your reporting requirements and helped anyone injured in the accident. If you have already left the scene, then a criminal investigation has begun. Don’t make the situation worse by trying to represent yourself. If you are under investigation for failing to stop and render aid, then do NOT talk to any law enforcement officer until after you have retained an attorney. An attorney can help you invoke your right to remain silent and your right to have an attorney represent you at every stage in your case. Call an experienced criminal defense attorney for criminal traffic crimes to find out what you need to do right now to protect your rights and fight for the best possible resolution in your case. Attorneys for Hit and Run in San Antonio, TXIf you were arrest for hit and run (often called “leaving the scene of an accident” or “failing to stop and render aid”) then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Flanary Law Firm, PLLC. Don Flanary represents clients in San Antonio and throughout Bexar County. An attorney experienced in hit and run cases in San Antonio, TX, can help you in the following ways:
Our goal is to help you avoid any felony or misdemeanor criminal charges for leaving the scene of a crash without stopping and rendering aid. Don Flanary also represents clients charged with serious traffic crimes in the counties surrounding Bexar County including the following counties: Kendall County, Comal County, Guadalupe County, Wilson County, Atascosa County, Medina County, and Bandera County. Call (210) 934-4774 today to discuss your case. Penalties for Hit and Run in San Antonio, TXUnder Texas Transportation Code § 550.021, the failure to stop and render aid comes with very serious penalties when the accident involves personal injury or death.
Elements of Hit and Run in TexasTexas law prohibits failing to stop and render aid after a motor vehicle accident that results in injury or death. The elements of the crime include:
If you are charged with the offense of failing to stop and render aid as charged in the indictment, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Flanary Law Firm, PLLC. With offices in San Antonio, Don Flanary represents clients throughout Bexar County and the surrounding counties of Kendall County, Comal County, Guadalupe County, Wilson County, Atascosa County, Medina County, and Bandera County. Rules of the Road in Texas for Crash InvestigationsTitle 7 of the Transportation Code in Subtitle C for rules of the road sets out the rules for accidents and accident reports in Chapter 550. Section 550.001 applies to any of the following types of motor vehicle accidents:
Chapter 550 also contains the duties a driver has following an accident. Under Section 550.021, the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident that results or is reasonably likely to result in injury to or death of a person shall:
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident that results or is reasonably likely to result in injury or death of a person is required to stop the vehicle without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. Failure to follow these rules can subject a person to a criminal charge if he or she does not comply with the requirements of Texas law. Penalties for Hit and Run in TexasUnder this section Section 550.021, if the accident results in:
If the crash involves an accident resulting in injury but not death or serious bodily injury, then the crime is punishable by:
Under Section 550.022, a driver that causes an accident that involves only damage to another vehicle has the following legal obligations:
If an accident occurs on the main lane, ramp, shoulder, median, or adjacent area of a freeway in a metropolitan area and each vehicle involved can be normally and safely driven, each operator shall move the operator’s vehicle as soon as possible to a designated accident investigation site, if available, a location on the frontage road, the nearest suitable cross street, or other suitable location to complete the requirements of Section 550.023 and minimize interference with freeway traffic. A person commits an offense under Section 550.022 if the person does not stop or does not comply with these requirements. The penalties for leaving the scene without stopping and rendering aid in a crash that does not involve the death or serious bodily injury of another person is punishable by the following:
Under Section 550.023(c-1), a person commits an offense if the person does not comply with the requirements listed above. A hit-and-run offense under these circumstances is charged as a Class C misdemeanor. Under the hit and run statute in Texas, a vehicle can be normally and safely driven only if the vehicle:
Under Section 550.023, the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in the injury or death of a person or damage to a vehicle that is driven or attended by a person is required to do all of the following:
Hit and Run after Striking an Unattended VehicleUnder Section, the operator of a vehicle that collides with and damages an unattended vehicle shall immediately stop and do the following:
The crime of leaving the scene after striking an unattended vehicle is charged as a Class C misdemeanor if the damage to all vehicles involved is less than $200, or as a Class B misdemeanor, if the damage to all vehicles involved is $200 or more. Duty on Striking a Structure, Fixture or Highway LandscapingUnder Sec. 550.025, the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a structure adjacent to a highway or a fixture or landscaping legally on or adjacent to a highway is required to:
A person charged with violating the duty on striking a structure, fixture or highway landscaping can be charged with a criminal punishable as follows:
Duty to Immediately Report an AccidentUnder Section 550.026, the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of a person or damage to a vehicle to the extent that it cannot be normally and safely driven shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of the accident to the:
If a section of road is within 100 feet of the limits of more than one municipality, the municipalities may agree regarding the maintenance of reports made under Subsection (a)(2). A county may agree with municipalities in the county regarding the maintenance of reports made under Subsection (a)(2). An agreement under this subsection does not affect the duty to report an accident under Subsection (a). Investigation of a Motor Vehicle Accident in TexasUnder Section 550.041, a peace officer who is notified of a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury to or death of a person or property damage to an apparent extent of at least $1,000 may investigate the accident and file justifiable charges relating to the accident without regard to whether the accident occurred on property to which this chapter applies. The requirement does not apply to a privately owned residential parking area or a privately owned parking lot where a fee is charged for parking or storing a vehicle. The Driver’s Obligation to File an Accident ReportUnder 550.061. the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident shall make a written report of the accident if the accident is not investigated by a law enforcement officer and the accident resulted in injury to or the death of a person or damage to the property of any one person to an apparent extent of $1,000 or more. The report must be filed with the department not later than the 10th day after the date of the accident. The failure to file the report is a criminal offense. The proper venue for the prosecution of the offense is the county in which the accident occurred. So if the crash occurred in Bexar County, TX, then a criminal offense for leaving the scene of a crash can be prosecuted in Bexar County, TX. The Texas Department of Transportation may require:
Additional Resources Traffic Accidents Today in San Antonio – Visit the website of KSAT.com to find information about car accidents that occurred in San Antonio and Bexar County, TX, today and yesterday. Find an interactive map with information on the latest local traffic reports and breaking news about traffic accidents San Antonio involving death, serious injury, and no injuries with only property damage. Also find information about criminal investigations that just began for leaving the scene of a traffic crash after failing to stop and render aid (sometimes called “hit and run”). Many of these cases are investigated by the hit and run unit of the San Antonio Police Department or the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. Finding a Lawyer for a Hit and Run in Bexar County, TXWhether your hit and run accident happened today or yesterday, now is the time to seek out the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Don Flanary can contact the investigating officer as soon as possible. By having an attorney contact the investigating officer, it prevents the officer from coming to your home or work to interrogate you. Your attorney can help you assert your right to remain silent so that you do not incriminate yourself. The attorney can also help you handle all of the issues that go along with resolving a hit-and-run allegation.
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Client TestimonialsWas really in a difficult situation Mr. Flannery and Amanda Hernandez came to the rescue, all my cases have been dropped/dismissed and I couldn’t be happier if you find yourself needing a lawyer I would definitely come back to them again. Mario B. Amazing, Awesome, Seasoned, Professional, Highly Skilled and Caring. That’s what Don Flanary and his law firm associates are and more. I found the Flanary Law Firm while searching for legal help for my son. At the time my family was distraught ... Valerie S. Without going into too much detail about what I was being accused of, my case was a life changing one. I was being accused of one of the worst things human being can be accused of. I did a ton of research on top attorneys in San Antonio and wha... Mark G. "My fiancé and I had never needed a lawyer before and we knew we needed someone with experience and who was familiar with our local courts. We interviewed with your typical overly-advertised law firms, but we didn’t feel like we were being take... H.G. I highly recommend Donald H. Flanary to anyone who needs help with a legal matter. Mr. Flanary and his team worked hard on my behalf and achieved the best possible result in my case. His knowledge and ability within the courtroom are excellent,... Fernando R. If you're looking for an attorney, then look no further! Don and Amanda will fight for you and guide you through the process. Great office staff and assistants. Is failure to stop and render aid a felony in Texas?These actions combined are known as a motorist's duty to give information and render aid. In Texas, if you fail to stop and render, it is a criminal offense in Texas, which has the potential to result in felony charges.
What is the charge for leaving the scene of an accident in Texas?Leaving the Scene of an Accident Penalties in Texas
Class C Misdemeanor — Fine of up to $500. Class B Misdemeanor — Up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000. Third-Degree Felony — Up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
How long after a hit and run accident can you be charged in Texas?Prosecutors can generally charge you with hit and run one to three years after the date of the incident. In cases of misdemeanor hit and run, an offender typically has to be charged within one year.
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