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 afterwards. When the at-fault driver flees the scene, you might wonder how the financial aftermath of the accident will be handled.
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 could 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 to explore your legal options. You could have your post-accident expenses get paid even if the other driver left without accepting responsibility for their actions.
A New Orleans Hit and Run Accident Attorney Can Help In Locating 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 its 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 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.
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Your New Orleans Hit and Run Accident Attorney Can Help You Identify 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.
But you may be surprised to find your own insurance company skirting around their obligation to pay for all your compensable damages. Our attorney can help you pursue an appropriate amount from your insurance company to recover funds for medical bills, vehicle repair, pain and suffering, and other losses. To obtain a fair claim, we will:
- Investigate your hit-and-run collision
- Gather evidence and eyewitness testimonials
- Complete any legal paperwork
- Engage in strategic negotiation with the insurance companies
- Represent you in court if a fair out-of-court settlement is not reached
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Your Hit and Run Attorney in New Orleans Can Assist In Uncovering All Your Potential Compensation Options
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 must spend a portion of the allotted time trying to identify them. A New Orleans hit and run accident attorney could help identify the responsible party or identify other ways you could receive financial compensation for your losses.
Get started by contacting our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers.
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A Hit and Run Accident Attorney Serving New Orleans Could Help You Recover These Damages
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
Our 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.
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What Should You Do After A New Orleans Hit-and-Run Accident?
Serious accidents can quickly turn your world upside down. The anxiety deepens when you watch the at-fault vehicle speeding away. If this happens to you, attempt to do the following:
- Make sure to get examined by a doctor following a crash. This will ensure that your injuries and any offered treatment are documented, which can be later used as evidence when filing a claim or lawsuit.
- Note the make, model, color, and license plate number of the at-fault vehicle if you can
- Call the cops immediately and let them know what happened
- While waiting for the police, jot down any accident-related information you remember. Include identifying characteristics of the vehicle and the driver if possible.
- Gather contact information from any bystander on site.
- Take pictures of the car damage, accident site, and personal injuries.
- If you notice any parts of the at-fault vehicle that may have broken off during collision, see if you can obtain them.
- Call your insurance provider and let them know about the accident within 30 days from the accident date.
- Contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your available options for obtaining compensation.
Do not lose hope assuming you will not be able to get your losses covered. Our attorney will do everything in their power to locate the at-fault driver and fight for fair compensation from their insurance company.
Common Reasons Why Hit-and-Run Drivers Do Not Stop After An Accident
The criminal penalties for fleeing an accident scene are severe. They are charged as a misdemeanor or a felony and accompany punishment, including jail time, a prison sentence, and/or fines. Yet, some drivers still leave the site where the accident occurred. There are many reasons for this, including:
- The driver was in a stolen vehicle
- The driver was driving on a suspended driver’s license or without a license
- The driver was driving without insurance
- The driver was under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
- The driver is in possession of drugs or another illegal item
- The driver was on probation or evading an arrest warrant
- The driver was driving an employer’s car and did not want to put their job in jeopardy
Rest assured, when the at-fault driver is caught, you can hold them accountable for their reckless actions. In some cases, the jury may decide to punish the defendant for their malicious intent by awarding you punitive damages on top of compensation.
Call Today For Legal Help In Orleans Parish
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 today to get started on your claim or lawsuit.
Get The HelpYou Need(504) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
