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At a Walmart today someone hit my parked car causing it significant damage to the driver's door. I'm going to go tomorrow and see if they have recordings from their parking lot video cameras to identify the culprit. If so, besides claiming my damage against them what kind of consequence can they face with the law for leaving the scene of the Accident of an unmanned vehicle? We live in Texas.
Already Tried: Nothing
Hello,
Thanks for your question.
A hit and run committed on an unattended vehicle, either on either private or public property is covered by Section 550.024 of the Texas Transportation Code. It states:
Sec. 550.024. DUTY ON STRIKING UNATTENDED VEHICLE. (a) The operator of a vehicle that collides with and damages an unattended vehicle shall immediately stop and:
(1) locate the operator or owner of the unattended vehicle and give that person the name and address of the operator and the owner of the vehicle that struck the unattended vehicle; or
(2) leave in a conspicuous place in, or securely attach in a plainly visible way to, the unattended vehicle a written notice giving the name and address of the operator and the owner of the vehicle that struck the unattended vehicle and a statement of the circumstances of the collision.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person violates Subsection (a). An offense under this section is:
(1) a Class C misdemeanor, if the damage to all vehicles involved is less than $200; or
(2) a Class B misdemeanor, if the damage to all vehicles involved is $200 or more.
A Class C misdemeanor in Texas is punishable by fine only (no jail time).
A Class B misdemeanor in Texas is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Juliana
Experience: Licensed attorney for 23 years. Former mayors court magistrate and traffic prosecutor.