Baton Rouge Hit and Run Injury Lawyer

LA Injury Attorneys for Hit and Run Accidents

Baton Rouge car accidents are often scary and stressful situations, but when the other driver flees the scene, it puts you in a terrible position. In Louisiana, a driver commits a crime if they do not stop to offer help or share their personal information following a car accident. Fines and jail time are possible penalties for a hit and run, but those punishments don’t help an injured driver with their damages. That’s why you need a Baton Rouge hit-and-run injury lawyer fighting to recover financial damages for your injuries.

The Baton Rouge car accident lawyers at Joubert Law Firm know just how devastating hit-and-run accidents can be for the injured party. Fortunately, we know what it takes to build a case to recover damages for your car accident injuries. 

Our Baton Rouge hit and run injury lawyer would be happy to review your case and explain your legal options during a free consultation, so call (225) 777-8853 immediately if you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run.

What is a Hit and Run?

Hit and run accidents happen when one of the vehicles involved in a wreck leaves the scene without providing assistance or insurance details. Multiple vehicles, unoccupied cars, motorcycles, and even pedestrians may be involved in a hit-and-run accident. Often, drivers take off after an accident to avoid liability or insurance consequences or if they were drunk driving.  

In some cases, police may be able to locate the missing driver. When they do, your hit-and-run accident attorney may seek compensation from that driver and their insurance company to cover your losses and expenses. Car accident victims may have recourse even if a driver runs from the scene after an accident and cannot be identified, depending on the terms of their own insurance policy. To see if you may have a viable car accident claim following a hit-and-run accident, call a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer at Joubert Law Firm right away.  

Hit and Run Laws Louisiana

Louisiana law penalizes hit and run drivers with financial penalties and possible jail time. Specifically, RS 14:00 punishes drivers that cause an injury-free accident with a $500 fine and a possibility of six months behind bars. Accidents with injuries or fatalities involved have a $5,000 fine and a maximum of up to ten years imprisonment. A hit and run offense may be a misdemeanor or a felony charge, but accidents resulting in injuries and death usually result in felony charges. 

When the Baton Rouge personal injury attorneys at Joubert Law Firm represent you, we seek maximum compensation and justice for the harm you suffered. When we take on car accident claims, our legal team ensures the responsible driver is held accountable for their actions. If authorities cannot locate the driver but identify the vehicle, the vehicle owner may be liable for the accident even if they were not the negligent driver. 

What Happens If I’m Injured in a Hit-and-Run Accident?

Injured victims may be able to turn to their insurance provider for compensation if they have Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage or No-Fault Insurance and a responsible party is not located after a hit-and-run car wreck. UM coverage is an add-on in Louisiana, and purchasing it is optional, according to the Louisiana Department of Insurance. Our Baton Rouge personal injury lawyers are prepared to pursue compensation from your UM coverage if your policy includes it. Give us a call today for a free case review.

Common Hit-and-Run Injuries

Depending on the extent of your Louisiana motor vehicle accident, hit and run injuries may range from minor to life-threatening. The most common injuries include:

• Broken Bones – Broken bones frequently occur in hit-and-run accidents, especially if the crash involves a pedestrian.
• Bruises – Airbags and seatbelts may inflict bruises in a crash.
• Cuts and Abrasions – Broken metal, fiberglass, and glass fly around in a collision and may cause lacerations and cuts.
• Head/Traumatic Brain Injuries – Head and traumatic brain injuries can occur when a violent jolt or impact causes trauma to a person’s face or head. Vehicle occupants striking their head in a crash or a pedestrian’s head hitting the ground can cause severe head injuries, including concussions, contusions, and permanent brain damage.
• Whiplash – Whiplash may occur when a person’s head is thrown violently back and forth in an accident. 

Any injury sustained in a car collision has the potential to be a catastrophic injury. You must receive emergency medical attention and attend follow-up visits with your physician to ensure your wounds heal properly.

Why Do Hit and Run Drivers Flee the Scene?

Typically, hit-and-run drivers flee because they’re involved in illegal activity. A driver may not stop after an accident if they:

• Are driving drunk or under the influence of drugs
• They are in a stolen vehicle or are operating the car without an owner’s permission
• Do not have the minimum amount of insurance required by Louisiana law
• Are driving without a license or with a suspended license
• Have multiple traffic violations or citations
• Have an outstanding arrest warrant

What To Do After a Baton Rouge Car Accident

1. First, you should call 911 and the authorities. This will create a formal record of the incident. You’ll want to obtain a copy of the police’s traffic collision report.
2. If you are able to, you should then acquire evidence and information at the accident scene. This includes the other driver’s name, contact info, license plate number, driver’s license number, and insurance information. You should also try to acquire pictures of the site of the car accident, including things like property damage and tire marks.
3. Receive medical treatment, even if you believe your injuries are minor. This establishes a record of your harm, which is vital to proving your claims. If the pain doesn’t dissipate with time or other symptoms begin to occur, get reevaluated and continue any and all medical care or treatment as suggested by your medical professional(s).
4. Contact a car accident lawyer immediately. Seeking assistance from a qualified personal injury law firm should be one of your primary concerns in any personal injury or car accident lawsuit. A car accident attorney can help gather evidence, clarify your rights, explain your legal options, and deal with communications with the other party and their insurance company. They will also work on building and strengthening your case to ensure you obtain justice and recover compensation via a settlement or trial.
5. Do not provide a statement or agree to any deal/settlement from an insurance provider without a car accident attorney to give you insight and a professional legal opinion.  Doing so too soon and without proper legal guidance could allow the insurer to lowball you or deny you compensation entirely.  Obtain a personal injury car accident lawyer early on and allow them to handle all communication and negotiations.

What Damages Can I Recover From My Motor Vehicle Accident?

If a car accident caused you or a loved one to sustain injuries, filing a personal injury claim can help ensure your receive compensation for both economic and non-economic losses you may have experienced.

Economic Damages Include:

• Medical bills, including all past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages, including loss of future earning capacity
• Accommodations for disability
• Physical rehab/therapy
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages Include:

• Pain & suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

There are also some rare instances for punitive damages to be awarded, which work to penalize the culpable party for deliberate, fraudulent, or woefully negligent actions.

Can I Still Receive Injury Compensation After a Hit-and-Run?

If you suffered injuries after a hit-and-run accident, you’re probably unsure where to turn for help. You may be unable to identify the vehicle, and police may not be able to track them down. But how do you recover compensation for the injuries and damages you suffered?

If police locate the driver and they have valid insurance coverage, you may file a claim with their insurer, or your legal representative may file a personal injury claim. But suppose police don’t find the driver or the driver is underinsured or completely uninsured. If your policy contains Underinsured Motorist (UIM), Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, or No-Fault Insurance, you may still file a claim with your insurance provider. Your policy dictates the damages you may recover, including financial compensation for medical costs, car repairs, lost income, physical therapy, pain and suffering, future medical expenses, and even wrongful death benefits. 

Contact our Baton Rouge hit and run injury attorney online or by calling (225) 777-8853 today!