Failure to Stop and Render Aid

From the Law Office of Alison Grinter in Dallas, Texas

Failure to Stop and Render Aid is also called "Hit and Run."

1 Degree
2 Statutes
3 Collateral Consequences
4 Notes

Degree

If the accident involves personal injury or death, it is a Third degree felony to leave the scene before giving aid and identifying information.

If only vehicle damage occurred, the offense is a Class C Misdemeanor if the damage is less than $200, or a Class B Misdemeanor if it is more than $200.

Statutes

§ 550.021. ACCIDENT INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
(a) The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of a person shall:
      (1) immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to the scene as possible;
      (2) immediately return to the scene of the accident if the vehicle is not stopped at the scene of the accident; and
      (3) remain at the scene of the accident until the operator complies with the requirements of Section 550.023.
(b) An operator of a vehicle required to stop the vehicle by Subsection (a) shall do so without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
(c) A person commits an offense if the person does not stop or does not comply with the requirements of this section. An offense under this section:
      (1) involving an accident resulting in death of or serious bodily injury, as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, to a person is a felony of the third degree; and
      (2) involving an accident resulting in injury to which Subdivision (1) does not apply is punishable by:
           (A) imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for not more than five years or confinement in the county jail for not more than one year;
           (B) a fine not to exceed $5,000; or
           (C) both the fine and the imprisonment or confinement.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 97, § 2, eff. September 1,
2007.

§ 550.022. ACCIDENT INVOLVING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle that is driven or attended by a person shall:
      (1) immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close as possible to the scene of the accident without obstructing traffic more than is necessary;
      (2) immediately return to the scene of the accident if the vehicle is not stopped at the scene of the accident; and
      (3) remain at the scene of the accident until the operator complies with the requirements of Section 550.023.
(b) If an accident occurs on a 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.
(c) A person commits an offense if the person does not stop or does not comply with the requirements of Subsection (a). An offense under this subsection is:
      (1) a Class C misdemeanor, if the damage to all vehicles is less than $200; or
      (2) a Class B misdemeanor, if the damage to all vehicles is $200 or more.
      (c-1) A person commits an offense if the person does not comply with the requirements of Subsection (b). An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.
(d) In this section, a vehicle can be normally and safely driven only if the vehicle:
      (1) does not require towing; and
      (2) can be operated under its own power and in its usual manner, without additional damage or hazard to the vehicle, other traffic, or the roadway.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1066, § 1, eff. September 1,
2005.

§ 550.023. DUTY TO GIVE INFORMATION AND RENDER AID.

The operator 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 shall:
(1) give the operator's name and address, the registration number of the vehicle the operator was driving, and the name of the operator's motor vehicle liability insurer to any person injured or the operator or occupant of or person attending a vehicle involved in the collision;
(2) if requested and available, show the operator's driver's license to a person described by Subdivision (1); and
(3) provide any person injured in the accident reasonable assistance, including transporting or making arrangements for transporting the person to a physician or hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary, or if the injured person requests the transportation.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.