Accidents Involving Vehicles
Texas describes what to do if you were in an accident involving another vehicle in Texas Transportation Code 550. In this section, the state outlines requirements including what to do if someone is injured, how much and what information to provide, as well as the penalties for not following these requirements.
In the following article, we will go over the penalties, requirements, and possible defenses for charges relating to accidents involving vehicles.
Accident Defense Lawyers in Austin, Texas
If you’re facing charges related to incorrectly responding to a traffic accident, then you need to contact the Law Office of Kevin Bennett. The laws around traffic accidents are generally simple but can be misunderstood. Whatever the reason you’re facing charges, we’re ready to help.
Kevin Bennett tenaciously represents clients in Travis County, Lakeway, Austin, Pflugerville, Lago Vista, and the surrounding areas.
Call (512) 476-4626 to schedule a consultation with a skilled duty attorney in Austin who has extensive client reviews and testimony to back up their experience about your charges.
Your initial consultation is free, and it is the first step in the defense planning process.
Information Center
- Understanding Texas Statutes Regarding Accidents
- When to Contact the Police
- Penalties for Not Following Section 550
- Common Defenses for Section 550 Exceptions
- Additional Resources
- Hire an Accident Lawyer in Austin, Texas
Accidents Involving Vehicles
The state of Texas outlined several requirements for accidents which involve serious injury and simple vehicle damage.
Personal Injury or Death
If an accident involves personal injury or death, then it falls under Texas transportation code 550.021 and the operator of the vehicle must follow the following requirements:
- Immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the collision or as close as possible
- If the vehicle did not stop, then immediately return to the seat of the collision
- Determine whether another person was involved in the collision, and if that other person requires aid
- Stay at the scene of the collision until law enforcement or other emergency services arrive
When stopping the vehicle, you have an obligation to obstruct traffic as little as possible. Some exceptions apply in the case of large-scale or serious accidents in which a person is severely injured. Failing to follow the above requirements may result in a:
- Second-Degree Felony if a person dies as a result of the accident
- A Third-Degree Felony if a person receives serious bodily injury as a result of the accident
Simple Vehicle Accidents
The term “simple vehicle accidents” refers to accidents where no one is severely injured or has died. The majority of accidents are “simple vehicle accidents”.
In the majority of accidents, your responsibilities include:
- immediately stopping the vehicle at the scene of the collision
- Stopping the vehicle as close to the collision as possible
- Remaining on the scene of the collision until law enforcement or medical services arrives
However, unlike accidents which fall under section 550.021, both vehicles are required to move to a place where they no longer obstruct traffic so long as it is safe to do so. This includes accidents which take place on on or off ramps, ramps, shoulders, or medians.
At the scene of the accident, you are required to provide the following information and to render aid if necessary:
- your name
- Your vehicle registration number
- your address
- your driver’s license
Contacting Police
You are not necessarily required to contact the police for minor accidents like “fender benders.” However, if the other driver contacts the police you are required to stay on the scene until law enforcement arrives.
In addition, if the accident caused more than $1,000 worth of damage, serious injury, or death; or if the accident is such that the other driver or yourself cannot move the vehicle out of the way of traffic, and then you are obligated to contact either the local Police Department, the sheriff’s office, or the nearest law enforcement office within your current jurisdiction.
Failure to adhere to the above requirements in either scenario is known as a “hit and run” and is illegal.
Penalties under section 550
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, such as whether or not a person suffered severe bodily injury or was killed, you may face either a low misdemeanor charge, or a felony.
If the accident was a simple vehicle accident then the following schedule applies:
- A Class C misdemeanor, if the damage to all vehicles is less than $200; Or
- A Class B misdemeanor, if all the damage to the vehicles is $200 or more
- A Class C misdemeanor, if you fail to move out of the flow of traffic while your vehicle is able to do so.
if the accident resulted in serious bodily injury or death then the following schedule applies:
- a Third-Degree Felony, if the accident resulted in serious bodily injury but not death
- A Second-Degree Felony, if the accident resulted in the death of another person
The following table is a schedule for penalties including jail time and fines:
| Class C Misdemeanor |
|
| Class B Misdemeanor |
|
| Third-Degree Felony |
|
| Second-Degree Felony |
|
Defenses for Section 550.024
There are a few scenarios where you may not be responsible. Some of these examples include the following scenarios which your defense lawyer may seek to prove in a court trial:
- If you or a passenger’s life was in danger at the time of the accident, then you may not be responsible for providing identifying information immediately or leaving the scene of the accident
- If the other driver leaves the scene of the accident, you are not responsible for leaving the scene of the accident. However, it is generally in your best interest to contact law enforcement to get your statement on the record
Additional Resources
Allstate Checklist – Allstate provides a publicly available step-by-step guide on what to do if you are involved in a car accident, including rendering aid, contact lists and how to contact your insurance provider.
Texas Statute – Read the original case text for Texas’s laws on rendering aid and what to do in the case of a car accident.
Hire an Accident Lawyer in Austin, TX
Failing to secure legal representation may result in fines and possibly loss or suspension of your driving license.
Kevin Bennett tenaciously represents clients in Travis County, Lakeway, Austin, Pflugerville, Lago Vista, and the surrounding areas.
Call (512) 476-4626 to schedule a consultation with a skilled duty attorney in Austin who has extensive client reviews and testimony to back up their experience about your charges.
Your initial consultation is free, and it is the first step in the defense planning process.
