In mid-July, a Houston U-Haul truck driver was killed on impact when crashing his vehicle into the back of a truck while he was fleeing a previous accident, according to the police.
After colliding with a vehicle on Bissonnet Street, the U-Haul truck driver sped off for approximately one mile before he lost control of the vehicle and collided into a truck. Police say the driver reached speeds of more than 70 mph when fleeing the first crash. Paramedics pronounced the driver dead at the scene.
The fatal crash happened on the 7100 block of Bissonnet Street. The driver in the pickup truck was not injured.
The U-Haul driver’s identity has not been identified.
Reasons Why Someone May Commit a Hit and Run
The driver who caused the hit and run crash may already be breaking the law in another way and may not want to be caught.
Although we do not know exactly why the U-Haul driver may have been fleeing the scene, here are some common reasons why a driver may commit a hit and run.
- The driver is driving while intoxicated
- The driver does not have the appropriate car insurance
- The driver has an outstanding arrest warrant
- The driver has fears regarding his/her immigration status
- The driver panicked during the car crash and the “fight or flight” response kicked in
With these various scenarios, hit and runs do not have one clear rationale. Some drivers may fear additional repercussions on top of existing punishments, whereas others may leave the accident due to mistake or momentary panic.
For both the safety of others and your legal well-being, never leave the scene of an accident when you get into a car crash. Individuals could be seriously injured and your penalties may be even more serious when you leave the crash scene.
What Should I Do After an Accident?
- Remain at the crash scene and evaluate the damage
As you can imagine, a crash can have different effects on all parties involved. Even if you are not feeling an immediate injury, you should check on all passengers and the other vehicle to learn the extent of the crash. If there are critical injuries, call 911 immediately.
- Contact the police
Even if the crash site has minor vehicle damage and no injuries, you are required to contact the police to file an accident report. Some insurance carriers may require a police report to pay for accident damages.
- Record evidence
Be sure to write down the names and license plates of the other motorists and pedestrians present at the scene of the accident. Take pictures of the roadway, signage, damage and any other factors that may have played a role in the accident. This helps supplement the police report and keep your story accurate later on.
- Exchange information with the other driver
Depending on the situation, the police may do this part for you. In cases where the police are not there to do so or the other driver is not at the accident scene, make your best effort to leave a note or otherwise communicate who you are and what happened.
- Talk with an experienced car accident attorney
Given the crash details, it may be best to contact a car accident attorney immediately. Doing so can help you face the insurance companies and prevent you from committing common mistakes that ruin a car accident case. In the end, it may be better to be safe than sorry by consulting legal counsel.
