Roadway departure crashes occur when a driver veers off the road or crosses the center line. According to the Federal Highway Administration, they account for more than 50 percent of all U.S. traffic fatalities from 2015-2017.
Roadway departures are often caused by:
They tend to happen on major highways (negligent lane changing) or rural roads (negligent passing in single lanes). They can lead to head-on collisions, rollovers, and collisions with fixed objects.
In the event that you’re run off the road by another driver, you should first call 911. Roadway departures often result in severe injuries that call for emergency medical treatment. If you’re not severely injured, here are some actions you can take:
You may be wondering what to do if the driver who ran you off the road failed to stop. If the license plate can be captured (by you, a witness, or on camera), you can pursue a legal claim against the driver. In addition, the driver will likely face criminal charges, especially if you sustained a serious injury.
If the driver can’t be identified, you can still pursue damages if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage on your car insurance policy. UM comes standard on your insurance policy in Texas. Drivers who choose not to purchase it must notify their insurance carrier in writing, however. UM pays for both your medical and car damage expenses.
Personal injury protection (PIP) would cover the medical expenses of you and your passengers. In addition, PIP covers lost wages and non-economic damages.
Your best course of action is to speak to an experienced Texas car accident attorney who can help you explore your legal options. Chad Jones Law has been serving clients in College Station, Midland, Bryan, Odessa, and Waco, TX, for more than 20 years. We can help you build a solid legal claim and recover all damages owed to you. If you were hurt in a crash, contact us online to find out how we can help.