Getting into a car accident is stressful enough. But when the other driver takes off and leaves the scene, it can make an already frustrating situation even more overwhelming.
If you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident in New Orleans or elsewhere in Louisiana, you may still have options for recovering compensation. What you do immediately after the crash can also make a difference.
What Should You Do After a Hit-and-Run?
If the other driver leaves the scene, your first priority should be your safety. Move to a safe location if you can and check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
Next, consider taking these steps:
- Call the police. Report the accident and let officers know that the other driver left the scene.
- Write down what you remember. Even a partial license plate number, vehicle color, make, model, or description of the driver could be helpful.
- Look for witnesses. Someone nearby may have seen the accident or gotten a better look at the vehicle.
- Take photos and videos. Document your vehicle, injuries, debris, skid marks, and the surrounding area.
- Look for nearby cameras. Homes, businesses, traffic cameras, or doorbell cameras may have captured the accident or the vehicle leaving.
- Get medical attention. Some injuries aren’t immediately obvious after a crash.
- Notify your insurance company. Report what happened, but be careful about making assumptions about fault or the extent of your injuries before you have all the information.
What If the Driver Is Never Found?
One of the biggest concerns after a hit-and-run is: Who pays if they never catch the driver?
Your own insurance coverage may become important. Depending on your policy and the circumstances of the accident, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may potentially provide compensation when the at-fault driver cannot be identified or does not have insurance.
Every accident and insurance policy is different, so it’s important to review the specific coverage available in your situation.
Can the Hit-and-Run Driver Still Be Found?
Sometimes.
Police investigations, witness statements, surveillance footage, dashcam video, vehicle debris, and license plate information may all help identify a driver who leaves the scene.
This is one reason it’s important to gather as much information as you safely can after the accident. A detail that seems insignificant at the time could become useful later.
Injured in a Hit-and-Run in Louisiana?
You don’t necessarily have to give up on an injury claim just because the other driver drove away.
If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident in New Orleans or elsewhere in Louisiana, Cueria Law Injury Lawyers can help you understand your options, review available insurance coverage, and determine what steps may come next.
Call (504) 525-5211 for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7, and you don’t pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
