Drivers who are involved in an auto accident in Louisiana are required to stop and provide their information. When someone flees the scene of a hit and run, victims may struggle with severe injuries, property damage, and uncertainty about their options for financial recovery.
If you were involved in a hit and run accident, a Lake Charles hit and run accident lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers will fight to help you pursue maximum compensation. We can investigate the accident, evaluate your options for financial recovery, and manage all aspects of your case. We can provide you with legal representation on a contingency-fee basis with no upfront payments required.
Possible Options for Financial Recovery
If police locate the responsible driver, you may bring a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit against them.
If police are unable to locate the responsible driver, you may have the option of filing a claim with your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. Although UM is not mandatory for Louisiana drivers, RS Art. 22:680 requires all car insurance policies in Louisiana to offer UM. A driver must actively choose to reject UM coverage in order to not receive it.
If you carry UM coverage, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you file a UM claim. If there are other liable parties in your accident, such as a negligent mechanic or municipality, we may also be able to pursue them for compensation.
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What To Do After a Hit and Run
Hit and run accidents are serious offenses that should result in legal consequences. It’s important to take immediate action and cooperate with Lake Charles authorities for a swift resolution.
If your car is hit by someone who drives off, don’t chase them. Check for injuries, call the police, gather evidence from the accident scene, and contact your insurance company. You should also seek medical attention even if you feel fine.
Additionally, hit and run crashes can be reported to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. The DOTD may be able to locate the hit and run driver if you can provide a license plate number.
Full Guide: What To Do if You’re Involved in a Hit and Run Accident
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Hit and Run Accident Causes
Your case may require evidence that the other party was liable for the auto accident, even if you are only filing a UM claim with your insurer. For every car accident, several possible factors could come into play when establishing liability. These factors may include:
Distractions
When a driver takes their eyes off the road for even just a second, they could miss a car pulling out in front of them or start to drift into another lane. Driving distractions could include texting while driving, changing the radio station, eating lunch, or dealing with a rowdy passenger.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
Drinking while driving can have a severe effect on the driver. A drunk or intoxicated driver may lose control of their vehicle and cause an accident. Drunk driving could also be the reason a hit and run driver flees the scene of an accident.
“Driving under the influence” does not necessarily have to refer to alcohol. Other drugs – both illegal ones like cocaine and legal ones like prescription medications – can adversely affect a driver’s judgment and increase the risk of a crash.
Traffic Law Violation
A traffic law violation such as speeding, an illegal lane change, or running a stop sign may establish driver liability in a car accident case.
Other times, a non-driver party – such as a negligent mechanic who fails to service a vehicle safety system or a negligent municipality that leaves a hazard in the road – may cause an accident.
A hit and run lawyer in Lake Charles, LA, can investigate your accident for evidence of the responsible party’s liability.
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Potentially Recoverable Damages
If you were injured in a hit and run accident that someone else caused, you might be able to receive compensation for your damages. Depending on your injuries and the methods available for pursuing compensation, the following damages may be available in a personal injury case:
Current and Future Medical Expenses
The at-fault party could compensate you for any medical bills you acquired due to your car accident. These bills could include anything from your emergency room visit to your doctor’s appointments to medication costs. Your estimated future costs of medical care may also be recoverable.
Property Damages
The liable party could compensate you for any property that was damaged because of the hit and run accident, such as your car, your bike, or your cell phone. The compensation could cover the cost of repairing or replacing the property, depending on how damaged it was.
Current and Future Loss of Income
If you had to miss any work due to your accident or your recovery process, you could be compensated for lost wages. If your injuries permanently alter your ability to work, you may be able to recover compensation for reduced earning capability.
Pain and Suffering
You may be able to recover compensation for any pain and suffering your injuries caused. This includes both physical pain and emotional pain or trauma stemming from the injuries or the memory of the accident itself.
Disability
“Disability” refers to many different kinds of injuries. For the purposes of receiving compensation, it could mean a temporary injury, like a broken leg; a permanent injury, like amputated fingers; a physical injury, like organ damage; or an intellectual disability, like brain damage.
We can use your testimony, medical records, and other evidence to establish how serious your disability is and determine how much money it may entitle you to recover.
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Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Case
When you are in a hit and run accident, it can turn your life upside down. Depending on the damages you sustain, an accident can significantly impact your daily life.
Fortunately, you do not have to fight for justice after an accident like this on your own. Having a lawyer results in a better opportunity to receive fair compensation. A Lake Charles personal injury lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can coordinate all aspects of your case while you focus on your recovery. Our services may include:
- Communicating with all parties on your behalf
- Collecting evidence of liability and the extent of your damages
- Filing your insurance claim and/or lawsuit
- Negotiating with the insurance companies
- Taking your case to trial if necessary
Do not delay if you are considering taking legal action for your injuries. Per CC Art. 3492, there is a general one-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits in Louisiana. Missing this deadline could mean that your lawsuit gets dismissed.
Why Hire Us to Handle Your Hit and Run Case?
It may be tempting to try to manage your legal case on your own, especially if the hit and run driver cannot be found and you only have to deal with your own insurance company.
However, it is important to remember how complex and time-consuming a legal claim or lawsuit could become. Without a car accident lawyer, you would be solely responsible for:
- Collecting evidence from as many sources as possible and putting them together to build a compelling case
- Communicating with an insurance company that has their own concerns to think about and will not necessarily make things easier for you
- Attending all meetings with the insurance company and, if your case goes to court, representing yourself before a judge and jury in a formal, rigidly regulated atmosphere
- Calculating a dollar amount that accurately reflects the nature and severity of your injuries
- Making all decisions every step of the way, including when it is time to settle versus when to keep fighting
The legal system will not make allowances for your lack of experience or your injuries.
We Will Take the Burden Off Your Shoulders
Our legal professionals at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers take pride in doing all of the “heavy lifting” to help our clients recover fair settlements. The hit and run attorneys at our law firm in Lake Charles, LA, will do everything possible to make your experience more pleasant and less stressful, including:
- Coming to see you at your home, office, or hospital room if you are unable to visit any of our locations
- Evaluating your case at no cost or obligation to you – you can find out if your case is legally viable during one free phone call.
- Making ourselves available to answer all of your questions at any time
- Showing you compassion when you need it most while being aggressive and tough in our interactions with the liable party and the insurance companies
Our legal team has a collective 250 years of experience in helping accident victims just like you get the money they need to rebuild their lives. Instead of going it alone, you can rely on that experience to get you through this difficult time and move on with the help of a just settlement.
Our Hit and Run Attorneys in Lake Charles Will Fight for You
For a free consultation on your case with a member of our legal team, call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get started working on your claim. We never charge attorney’s fees until our client recovers compensation.
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