Types of Hit-and-Run Accidents We Handle
When a driver flees the scene of an accident, it adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation. Here are some of the most common types of hit-and-run incidents we see:
Common Injuries in Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents often result in severe injuries, made worse by possible delays in emergency response when drivers flee the scene. These injuries can affect not just the victim’s health but their entire life.
Hit-and-run victims might suffer any of the following injuries:
- Broken bones and fractures: Both simple breaks and complex fractures can require surgery, hefty medical expenses, and prolonged recovery times.
- Soft tissue injuries: Even seemingly minor injuries can lead to chronic pain and limited mobility.
- Internal injuries: The impact of a crash can cause extensive damage to internal organs.
- Traumatic brain injuries: From mild concussions to severe TBIs, brain injuries can affect the victim’s memory, personality, and ability to work.
- Spinal cord trauma: When drivers flee after causing devastating spinal injuries, victims face a lifetime of medical challenges, potentially including paralysis.
If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run wreck through no fault of your own, you deserve compensation to deal with your losses and the resulting lingering effects.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident: Your Critical Action Plan
Knowing what to do in the moments after a hit-and-run can mean the difference between obtaining compensation and being stuck with mounting bills. Here's your essential guide to protecting both your health and legal rights.
Prioritize Your Safety
Move to a safe location if possible and immediately check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Call 911 without delay — police response is particularly crucial in hit-and-run cases as officers can initiate immediate searches for the fleeing driver and create an official report that becomes vital evidence for your claim.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine initially, it’s critical to get prompt medical care. Many serious injuries, including whiplash, internal bleeding, and traumatic brain injuries, may not show symptoms right away. Getting checked out will:
- Ensure that hidden injuries are diagnosed early
- Create official documentation linking your injuries to the accident
- Strengthen your claim for compensation
When you head to the hospital immediately after a crash, it will also prevent the insurance companies from claiming that delays in treatment mean you weren't seriously hurt.
Document Everything You Can
Time is of the essence in hit-and-run cases. While your memory is strongest, write down or record on your phone any details about the fleeing vehicle, including:
- Complete or partial license plate numbers
- Vehicle make, model, and color
- Distinctive features like bumper stickers, modifications, or damage
- The direction the vehicle fled
- The driver's appearance (if visible)
- Any company logos or markings on commercial vehicles
Take photos of your vehicle damage, the accident scene, and any skid marks or debris left behind. Additionally, search for nearby security cameras from businesses or homes that might have captured the incident.
Locate Witnesses Immediately
Look around for anyone who might have seen the accident or the other vehicle fleeing. Get their contact information and ask if they'd be willing to provide a quick statement while the details are fresh. Witness accounts often provide pivotal information that helps identify the fleeing driver.
Resist the Urge to Chase the Fleeing Driver
The impulse to follow a hit-and-run driver is natural but extremely dangerous. Pursuing the vehicle could put you at risk of:
- Additional accidents while emotionally charged
- Confrontations with potentially dangerous individuals
- Legal complications that could harm your case
- Missing important evidence at the accident scene
Instead, focus on gathering information and working with police to identify the driver safely.
Contact a Qualified Attorney
Your legal representative can help preserve key evidence before it disappears, identify and interview witnesses, file insurance claims properly, and protect your rights from the first call. Our team will handle all necessary communications with the police and insurance adjusters while you focus on your recovery.
Compensation You Might Recover After a Hit-and-Run Accident
Hit-and-run events often create overwhelming financial burdens. At Rice & Kendig, we fight hard on behalf of our clients to secure comprehensive compensation covering the following costs:
Medical Expenses
Our team will work with medical experts to project your future care costs, meaning you won’t have to pay out of pocket for:
- Emergency room treatment and surgeries
- Medications and ongoing treatments
- Physical therapy and rehab
- Required medical equipment
- Future medical procedures
We’ll ensure that your settlement provides for all your healthcare needs, both now and in the days, weeks, and months to come.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
Whether you've missed work temporarily or face permanent career changes, we can calculate all lost wages and impacts on your future earning ability. Our knowledgeable lawyers will help document your immediate losses as well as the long-term financial effects of your injuries.
Property Damage
Beyond standard vehicle repairs, we can pursue compensation for all of your property losses, including:
- Personal items damaged in the crash
- Custom vehicle modifications
- Transportation costs while your vehicle is being repaired
The goal is to restore you financially to the state you were in before the accident occurred.
Pain and Suffering
The emotional trauma of being left injured by a fleeing driver demands significant compensation. We’ll help quantify your non-economic losses to ensure fair recovery for your physical and emotional suffering, including anxiety, stress, and loss of life enjoyment.
Understanding Your Rights After a Hit-and-Run
When someone flees an accident scene in Louisiana, they aren’t just being negligent — they're committing a serious crime. Understanding your legal rights and options is essential for protecting your future. Here's what you need to know about the laws that might affect your case:
Criminal Penalties vs. Civil Compensation
Under Louisiana law RS 14:100, leaving an accident scene carries severe criminal penalties, especially when injuries occur. However, while these criminal charges punish the driver, they don't automatically provide compensation to victims. That's why it’s imperative to have a trusted hit-and-run attorney fighting for your financial recovery.
Statute of Limitations
Time is limited in hit-and-run cases. Because of Louisiana's recent law changes, legal claims for injuries that occurred before July 1, 2024, have a one-year filing deadline, while those that take place after July 1, 2024, have an extended two-year deadline.
Insurance Coverage Options
Louisiana's insurance laws provide important protections for hit-and-run victims. Uninsured motorist coverage is the default in Louisiana unless rejected in writing. This coverage can provide compensation even when the driver isn't found. It’s also worth noting that multiple policies may be available to maximize your recovery.
Comparative Fault
Even if you contributed to the accident before the other driver fled, you may still have the right to seek compensation under the state’s pure comparative fault system. Our Shreveport hit-and-run accident lawyers know how to push back against allegations of fault while maximizing your recovery.
Struggling After Your Accident? We're Here to Help.
At Rice & Kendig, our Shreveport car accident lawyers have more than 40 years of experience helping clients receive the justice and compensation they deserve. Get your free case review now!
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