You pull into a tight spot at Stonebriar Centre or find parking near The Star for dinner. You misjudge the distance. You feel a bump. You check your mirror and see a dent in the bumper of the sedan next to you. No one is inside. No one saw you.
Panic sets in. You might be tempted to drive away and hope for the best.
Do not do it.
Leaving the scene of an accident in Frisco is not just a traffic infraction. It is a crime. Texas law imposes specific duties on drivers who collide with unattended vehicles. Failing to follow these rules can result in arrest, a permanent criminal record, and substantial fines.
Texas Law on Hitting an Unattended Vehicle
The legal requirements for this situation are outlined in Texas Transportation Code § 550.024. This statute outlines exactly what you must do when you collide with and damage a vehicle that has no driver present.
You cannot simply drive away. The law requires you to stop immediately. Once you stop, you have two options to fulfill your legal duty.
Option 1: Locate the Owner
Your first option is to find the operator or owner of the damaged vehicle. If you are in a busy lot like IKEA or a grocery store in Frisco, this might be difficult. But if you can find them, you must provide them with:
- Your name
- Your address
Option 2: Leave a Written Notice
If you cannot find the owner, you must leave a note. Texas law is strict about this. You cannot just leave a vague apology. You must securely attach a written notice in a conspicuous place on the damaged vehicle.
The note must contain three specific pieces of information:
- Your name
- Your address
- A statement of the circumstances of the collision
You must also include the name and address of the vehicle’s owner if the car you are driving belongs to someone else.
Many drivers assume that leaving a phone number is enough. It is not. The statute explicitly demands your name, address, and an explanation of what happened. Failing to provide this specific data constitutes a failure to comply with the law.
The Consequences of Leaving the Scene in Frisco
You might think a minor bumper tap is not a big deal. The State of Texas disagrees. Police departments in Frisco and Collin County take these cases seriously. They often use parking lot surveillance footage to track down drivers who flee.
If you leave without fulfilling the duties listed in Section 550.024, you face criminal charges. The severity of the charge depends on the amount of damage caused.
Class C Misdemeanor
If the damage to all vehicles involved is less than $200, the offense is a Class C misdemeanor. This is punishable by a fine of up to $500, as outlined in Texas Penal Code § 12.23.
Class B Misdemeanor
If the damage exceeds $200, the charge escalates to a Class B misdemeanor. This is much more serious. Under Texas Penal Code § 12.22, a Class B misdemeanor carries potential penalties of:
- Up to 180 days in jail
- A fine of up to $2,000
In modern vehicles, even a minor scratch or dent often costs more than $200 to repair. Sensors, cameras, and specialized paint jobs can quickly drive up repair costs. This means most “hit and run” cases in Frisco are charged as Class B misdemeanors. You could face jail time for a minor parking infraction.
Why You Need a Frisco Criminal Defense Attorney
A charge for “Duty on Striking an Unattended Vehicle” creates a criminal record. This can haunt you long after the fines are paid. Future employers, landlords, and schools will see a crime involving dishonesty or evasion on your background check. It implies you ran away from your responsibilities.
You need a defense team that knows how to handle these specific cases in Collin County courts.
Police Investigations Are Aggressive
Frisco police are efficient. They will pull security video from The Star, Toyota Stadium, or local businesses. They will look for witnesses. If they come to your door to question you, you need representation immediately. Do not try to explain your way out of it. Statements you make can be used against you.
We Fight to Protect Your Record
At the Law Offices of Biederman & Burleson P.L.L.C., we do not just accept the police report as fact. We investigate the evidence. We challenge the state’s case.
Perhaps the damage was pre-existing. Maybe the video footage is unclear. In some cases, we can demonstrate that our client made a reasonable attempt to locate the owner but was unable to do so. We look for every angle to get your case dismissed or reduced.
Our firm has secured hundreds of “Not Guilty” verdicts and dismissals for our clients. We are trial lawyers. We prepare every case as if it were going before a jury. This aggressive approach encourages prosecutors to offer better outcomes because they know we are ready to fight.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
Do not let a parking lot panic define your future. If you are under investigation or have been charged with hitting a parked car in Frisco, contact us immediately. We know the local judges. We know the prosecutors. We are ready to fight for you.
Call the Law Offices of Biederman & Burleson P.L.L.C. at 469-517-3364. Let us get to work on your defense today.
