Texas Injury Lawyers Blog
Car theft is on the rise in San Antonio and across neighboring cities.
Car Theft to Spike Over the 2024 Winter Holiday Season in San Antonio: Here’s What You Need to Know
Car theft in San Antonio has steadily been on the rise since 2019.
There was a brief decline in thefts overall at the beginning of 2024. But, with the holiday season in full swing, car thefts have shot up again. It’s a city-wide problem–maps from KSAT show theft rates spread even to nearby towns and cities and fairly evenly distributed across San Antonio.
SAPD reported that in over half of the 19,000 car thefts in a 12-month period, the cars were left unlocked, and even the keys were inside some of the vehicles. SAPD recommends the following safety procedures to reduce your risk of theft:
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Lock your car
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Take out any valuables
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Don’t leave your keys inside your vehicle
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Leave shopping bags at home or hide them
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Park in a well-lit area
If your vehicle is stolen or robbed, immediately call the police to file a report.
Many people wonder about liability for stolen vehicle accidents. In the remainder of this article, we’ll discuss if you can be held responsible for an accident that involved your stolen vehicle, how compensation works if you are hit by a stolen vehicle, and where to get help for stolen vehicle accidents in San Antonio.
If Someone Steals My Car, Am I Responsible If They Get in an Accident?
Generally speaking, you cannot be held responsible for an accident caused by your stolen vehicle.
However, there are some cases where you can be held responsible for an accident caused by your stolen vehicle in Texas.
The permissive use doctrine can hold you responsible for a stolen vehicle accident if:
- You generally allow a person to use the vehicle, or you loan the vehicle,
- The person takes the vehicle without your knowledge,
- The person gets into an accident.
The most common scenario where this would apply is your teenager or someone in your house taking your vehicle without your knowledge and getting into an accident. The important aspect of this doctrine is that you, as the owner, must have given express or implied permission to use the vehicle, which generally doesn’t apply to car thieves.
You may also face penalties if you fail to report the stolen vehicle to the police and your insurance company.
Hit by Stolen Car: Can I Sue?
Where does compensation come from if you’re injured by a stolen car?
If police catch the car thief, you can technically sue them. They are responsible for the accident, and Texas is an at-fault state. However, they rarely have car insurance, and even if they do, it will likely not cover them since they were participating in an illegal activity. You could sue the driver directly, but the likelihood of getting a worthwhile amount of compensation is low.
Instead, compensation for injuries will likely come from your own UM/UIM, PIP, or Comprehensive coverage.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
If the car is stolen, the driver will likely flee the scene if they can. Hit-and-run accidents are incredibly common with stolen vehicles. If you’re injured in a hit-and-run with a stolen vehicle:
- DO NOT CHASE AFTER THE DRIVER
- Get to a safe location,
- Call 9-1-1 and seek medical attention if you or anyone else is hurt,
- Document the scene,
- And report the accident to your insurance company ASAP.
Regardless of if the thief is caught, compensation will likely come from your own policy, so don’t put your life in danger by pursuing the thief.
Accident With a Stolen Vehicle? Call Shaw!
Insurance companies don’t generally like paying out claims, and theft only complicates matters further. If you need help after a stolen vehicle accident in San Antonio, call Shaw.
If you were injured by a stolen vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Ambulance Costs,
- ER Treatment,
- Pain and Suffering,
- Medical Bills,
- Trauma/PTSD,
- Missed Work,
- Wrongful Death,
- And More.
Understand your rights and protect your claim. Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 to schedule your free case evaluation with a Carabin Shaw attorney. No fees, no obligations, just the expert legal advice you need.
Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio for over 31 years because we put our clients first. We look forward to serving you.
Related San Antonio News:
Suspected Stolen Vehicle Crashes Into Northwest Side Home, Traps Residents
5 Teenagers Arrested After Crashing Stolen Vehicle Into Patrol Cars Downtown
Police Officer Injured Trying to Stop Suspected Car Burglar in Live Oak
Stolen Vehicle That Ran a Red Light Caused a Collision With a Patrol Vehicle on the West Side