While it may be difficult or straightforward to prove a hit and run occurred, it is often difficult to find the other driver to hold them liable. Evidence such as dash cam footage and traffic cameras, damage to your vehicle, physical evidence left by the other vehicle, and eyewitness accounts can help identify the driver. This information can be used to determine which party was liable for the crash. An attorney can help you uncover this information.
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New Orleans Hit and Run Accident Lawyer
Hit and Run Accident Attorney in New Orleans, LA
Any car accident can be traumatic, but it can be especially terrifying when the other driver leaves the scene of the accident. It can be hard to know what to do and how you can financially recover after this. A skilled New Orleans hit and run accident lawyer is an essential ally to help you identify the driver to hold them accountable, or review other possible options for financial recovery.
At Murphy Law Firm, we understand hit-and-run accident laws and how they impact victims of car accidents. We help you review your options for financial compensation. Our priority is holding the negligent party responsible, but we know that sometimes the ideal option is filing with your own policy—especially when uninsured motorist coverage becomes essential to bridging gaps in recovery. To protect your rights, it’s important to act promptly and understand how Louisiana’s filing deadlines may affect your case. We fight for your interests and negotiate a fair settlement. For more than 30 years, our firm has fought for the interests of those injured in New Orleans.
Hit and Run Accidents in New Orleans
Drivers have a legal responsibility to stop after an accident to provide aid, exchange information, and report the accident to the authorities in collisions where anyone was injured or a certain level of property damage was done. When a driver in an accident deliberately fails to do this, this is a hit and run.
There were 5,879 hit and run accidents in New Orleans in 2024, according to the Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS). This was out of nearly 24,500 accidents statewide, meaning the city was responsible for about 24% of these collisions. This can partially be attributed to the high tourist population in the area.
Throughout the U.S. in 2023, there were 2,872 fatalities because of hit and run accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Hit-and-run accidents are difficult to navigate, so it is important that you know what to do and stay mindful of the statute of limitations for hit-and-run claims in New Orleans, as these deadlines can significantly impact your options.
What Should You Do After a Hit and Run in New Orleans?
It can be overwhelming to be in a collision with someone who flees the scene. In order to protect your well-being and a potential claim, it is essential that you take several important actions:
- Make note of the driver. As soon as you can, write down the make, model, and color of the vehicle, any license plate information you saw, and other unique features. Also note any identifying features of the driver, as well as the direction the vehicle goes.
- Move somewhere safe. If the accident occurred on the road, get yourself somewhere safe. If possible, move the vehicle out of the roadway. However, remain nearby.
- Call emergency responders. Report the accident and any injuries you know of. Depending on the location of your accident, law enforcement responders may be the Louisiana State Police, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, or the New Orleans Police Department. Take note of who responds to your accident, because that is the agency you will need to get an accident report from.
- Document the scene. After reporting the accident, you should document the scene while you wait if you are physically able to. This includes writing down the contact information for any eyewitnesses or any other persons involved in the accident. Take photos and video of the crash and any injuries you sustained.
- Get medical care. When emergency responders arrive on the scene, you should get emergency medical treatment, even if you believe you were uninjured. Then, later, get further care from your medical provider or a nearby hospital. Many injuries may not be obvious to you and may be harder for emergency providers to fully evaluate.
- Report the accident to your insurer. Many insurance providers require that you report an accident as soon as possible. You should not provide any statement, and you shouldn’t agree to any settlement value without legal counsel. If you do, you may forfeit your ability to recover maximum damages. Insurance companies do not look out for your interests.
- Reach out to a New Orleans hit and run accident attorney. An attorney can help you determine your next steps, including how to effectively gather evidence and how you may be able to recover compensation.
Meet Our Attorney
Peyton Murphy
Peyton Murphy, a Louisiana lawyer with 30+ years of experience, specializes in personal injury cases. He founded Murphy Law Firm in Baton Rouge in 1993 and fights for his clients’ compensation.
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FAQs
What Is the Penalty for a Hit and Run in Louisiana?
A hit and run in Louisiana is a criminal offense, and can result in months to years of imprisonment, as well as hundreds to thousands in fines. It is essential that after an accident, all parties stop, exchange information, and call law enforcement and emergency responders to the scene. A driver who intentionally fails to stop, provide information, and provide aid is guilty of a hit and run.
How Much Could You Recover From Someone for a Hit and Run Case in New Orleans?
The amount you can recover from someone in a hit and run accident depends on how seriously you were injured and whether the other driver is identified. If they are, you can hold them liable for losses like medical costs, property damage, lost income, and other damages. If the other driver is not identified, you will be unable to recover damages from them. Instead, you may recover damages through an uninsured motorist policy if you have it.
Is It Worth Filing a Claim for a Hit and Run Case in New Orleans?
Yes, it is generally worth filing a claim for a hit-and-run accident. Even if the other driver is not identified, you may be able to recover limited damages from your own policy. If the other driver is identified, you will want a record of the accident and your account of the incident. Either type of claim can help you recover some financial losses after an accident.
Hire a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in New Orleans
If you are hit by a driver who flees the scene on Bourbon Street, Highway 90, or elsewhere, hire a hit and run accident lawyer. Contact Murphy Law Firm to learn how we can help.
New Orleans, Louisiana Truck Accident Resources
- Average Truck Accident Settlement in Louisiana
- How Federal Regulations Affect Truck Accident Lawsuits
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