Hit by a Stolen Vehicle? Here’s What Texas Drivers Should Know

Every year, hundreds of thousands of vehicles are stolen across the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 650,000 vehicles are stolen annually, and many of them are later involved in crashes.¹

If you’re injured in an accident involving a stolen vehicle, you may assume recovering compensation will be impossible. After all, the person driving the stolen vehicle is often uninsured or has few financial resources.

Fortunately, that doesn’t always mean you’re out of options. Depending on the circumstances, you may still have several ways to recover compensation for your injuries and other losses.

Who Is Responsible When a Stolen Vehicle Causes a Crash?

In most car accidents, the at-fault driver’s auto insurance pays for the injured person’s damages. However, crashes involving stolen vehicles are often more complicated.

Because the driver did not have permission to use the vehicle, the vehicle owner’s insurance generally does not cover the thief’s negligent driving. In many cases, the person who stole the vehicle also has no insurance or assets to pay for the damage they caused.

That doesn’t necessarily mean an injured victim is left without options. Other insurance policies or legal claims may still provide compensation.

How Insurance May Help After a Stolen Vehicle Accident

Several types of insurance may apply, depending on the circumstances.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is often the most important protection in crashes involving stolen vehicles. Because many vehicle thieves have no insurance, UM/UIM coverage may help pay for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Other covered damages

Texas insurance companies generally offer UM/UIM coverage unless the policyholder rejects it in writing.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is no-fault coverage that may help pay for:

• Medical expenses
• A portion of lost income
• Certain other accident-related costs

PIP benefits are available regardless of who caused the accident, making them an important source of immediate financial assistance while other claims are being resolved.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage helps pay to repair or replace your own vehicle after a crash, regardless of fault, subject to your deductible and policy limits.

Can the Vehicle Owner Ever Be Liable?

In most cases, the owner of a stolen vehicle is not responsible for injuries caused by the thief. However, there are limited situations where an owner’s own negligence may become an issue.

For example, liability may be considered if:

• The owner left the vehicle in circumstances that made theft reasonably foreseeable.
• The owner knowingly allowed someone with permission to use the vehicle despite obvious safety concerns.
• The crash involved negligent entrustment or another recognized legal theory.

These cases are highly fact-specific, and simply having a vehicle stolen does not automatically make the owner responsible for the accident.

What Should You Do After a Crash with a Stolen Vehicle?

Learning that the other driver was operating a stolen vehicle can make an already stressful situation even more confusing. Taking the right steps can help protect both your health and your legal rights.

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• Report the accident to law enforcement.
• Take photos of the accident scene and vehicle damage.
• Collect witness information if available.
• Notify your insurance company promptly.
• Keep copies of medical records, repair estimates, and other related documents.
• Speak with a personal injury attorney to understand what insurance coverage or legal options may be available.

Although these cases can be more complicated than a typical car accident, injured victims may still have avenues for recovering compensation.

Injured in a Crash Involving a Stolen Vehicle? Call Shaw.

Being hit by someone driving a stolen vehicle doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to face the financial burden alone. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a stolen vehicle anywhere in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Ambulance Costs
• ER Treatment
• Surgeries
• Medical Bills
• Pain and Suffering
• Property Damage
• Missed Work
• Wrongful Death
• And More

We can help you find out for free.

Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 today or use the live chat to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our personal injury attorneys. There are no fees, no obligations, and no pressure—just straightforward legal guidance when you need it most.

We look forward to serving you.

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¹NHTSA on Vehicle Theft Prevention