Being involved in a vehicle collision is inherently stressful, but leaving the scene when injuries or fatalities occur can lead to serious criminal charges in Texas. Understanding your legal obligations after an accident is crucial for both legal compliance and ensuring injured parties receive needed medical attention.
What Texas Transportation Code § 550.021 Says
Required Actions After a Collision
Texas law mandates specific actions for drivers involved in collisions that result or might reasonably result in injury or death. Drivers must:
- Immediately stop at the scene or as close as possible
- Return to the scene immediately if not initially stopped there
- Determine if anyone requires medical assistance
- Remain at the scene until all legal requirements are fulfilled
Traffic Considerations
While stopping is mandatory, drivers should avoid obstructing traffic more than necessary when complying with the law.
Criminal Penalties
Failure to stop and comply with these requirements carries severe penalties:
- Death-Related Collisions: Second-degree felony
- Serious Bodily Injury: Third-degree felony
- Other Injuries: Punishable by up to five years in state prison or one year in county jail, plus fines up to $5,000, or both imprisonment and fines
The Full Texas Statute: § 550.021
SUBCHAPTER B. DUTIES FOLLOWING COLLISION
Sec. 550.021. COLLISION INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. (a) The operator of a vehicle involved in a collision that results or is reasonably likely to result in injury to or death of a person shall:
(1) immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the collision or as close to the scene as possible;
(2) immediately return to the scene of the collision if the vehicle is not stopped at the scene of the collision;
(3) immediately determine whether a person is involved in the collision, and if a person is involved in the collision, whether that person requires aid; and
(4) remain at the scene of the collision 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 a collision resulting in:
(A) death of a person is a felony of the second degree; or
(B) serious bodily injury, as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, to a person is a felony of the third degree; and
(2) involving a collision 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.
Get Legal Help
If you're facing charges related to leaving the scene of an accident in Texas, securing qualified legal representation is critical. ConsumerShield connects individuals with experienced personal injury and criminal defense attorneys throughout Texas and across the United States. Our free matching service has helped thousands of clients find representation from our nationwide network of highly-rated law firms.
Note: This content was generated with AI and edited and fact-checked by ConsumerShield editors.
