Any car accident in New Orleans can be frustrating and stressful. A hit and run accident can be even more aggravating because it might leave you unsure about who to pursue for compensation afterward. When the at-fault driver flees the scene, you might wonder how the financial aftermath of the accident will be handled.
According to Louisiana State University’s Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety, 49 hit and run accidents led to fatalities in 2018. In addition to these deaths, there were also 17,793 hit and run accidents that caused extensive property damage and 4,146 accidents that led to injuries.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident by a driver who fled the scene, a New Orleans hit and run accident lawyer might be able to help you fight for the financial compensation you need to cover your losses. Contact the personal injury team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers by calling (504) 777-7777 to explore your legal option. You may be able to have your post-accident expenses get paid even if the other driver left without accepting responsibility for their actions.
A Crash Report Can Help Locate a Hit and Run Driver
After a hit and run accident, you should always call the police and initiate a crash report. According to the Louisiana Revised Statutes (RS) §32:398, a crash report is mandatory if any of the following is true:
- Anyone involved in the crash was injured
- There was a fatality due to the crash
- There was property damage greater than $500
Because the other driver did not stop to exchange information with you, filing a crash report is more important than ever. The reporting officer may include details that can help identify the hit and run car or driver. The crash report might also contain the contact information of witnesses and any statements they made about the accident. The crash report can also identify the date and time of the accident, which can help ensure compliance with the statute of limitations.
The crash report might also indicate if there was any additional evidence available at the scene of the accident, such as any debris or car parts that can be traced back to the at-fault driver, traffic cameras, or dashcam footage. Our team may be able to glean additional information from your crash report to help locate the at-fault driver or demonstrate the accident’s cause and effect to your insurance provider if you need to rely on them for your accident coverage.
For a free legal consultation with a hit and run accident lawyer serving New Orleans, call (504) 777-7777
Look for Compensation Options in Your Insurance Policy
Ideally, when another driver collides with you, they will stop and exchange insurance and identifying information. When that does not happen, you might be able to turn to your own insurance provider for financial compensation. Although optional, your policy might have uninsured motorist or PIP (personal injury protection) options that might cover your accident-related costs.
Give a copy of your insurance policy to your lawyer when starting on your case. We may determine if you have any insurance options that allow you to receive compensation for a hit and run accident. In some cases, after your insurance company pays your expenses, they may initiate a process called subrogation. This process allows your insurer to recoup the monetary amounts they paid out for your accident if you did not cause it.
Start Looking at Compensation Options Early
Louisianans who decide to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who injured them might file their case within the statute of limitations. According to the Louisiana Civil Code (CC) §3492, plaintiffs generally have one year to bring a lawsuit about their personal injury. That is not a lot of time, even if both involved drivers are readily identified.
If one driver fled the scene, a year can seem even shorter when you have to spend a portion of the allotted time trying to identify them. A New Orleans hit and run accident lawyer might be able to help identify the responsible party or identify other ways you might be able to receive financial compensation for your losses.
Get started by contacting our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. Call (504) 777-7777 today to speak with a team member about your case.
A Lawyer May Be Able to Help You Recover Compensation
If you decide to work with our team, we can provide you with responsive legal care that ensures you know how your case is progressing. We also ensure your claim or lawsuit is accurately valued. We may help you fight to receive compensation for the following damages:
- Accident-related medical expenses
- Income you lost due to your injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage or destruction
- Mental and emotional distress
Tour team may also do the following to prove the cause of the accident and help identify the driver who fled:
- Interview available witnesses
- Retrieve video footage from nearby residential or business properties
- Retrieve traffic camera footage
- Do a license plate check if someone caught the license plate number
Our team might also be able to ease the compensation process by obtaining and completing insurance forms from your insurance provider.
New Orleans Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Me (504) 777-7777
You Do Not Have to Locate a Hit and Run Driver on Your Own
Recovering from your car accident injuries may require your full time and attention. While you concentrate on recuperating, a New Orleans hit and run accident lawyer can investigate the accident and build your personal injury case. Contact the legal team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers by calling (504) 777-7777 today to get started on your claim or lawsuit.
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