Hit & Run Accident Lawyers in Baton Rouge

The Importance of Seeking Legal Help After a Hit & Run Accident

If you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident, you are probably feeling a wide range of emotions. You might be physically injured and in pain. You might be worried about how you will pay for your medical bills. You might be frustrated with the driver who hit you and left the scene. Or, you might be angry and confused about why the driver hit you and then just drove away.

Whatever your emotions, you need to know that you are not alone. Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys are here to help you navigate your legal options after a hit-and-run accident. We know how to investigate these cases, how to gather evidence, and how to effectively communicate with insurance companies. We know how to fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

You can trust our team to take care of all the legal work so you can focus on healing. We will do everything we can to make this process as painless as possible for you. You just need to rest, recover, and let us handle the legal work.

Call our Baton Rouge hit & run accident lawyers at (225) 230-3110 or contact us online for a free consultation.

What is a Hit & Run Accident?

A "hit-and-run," "hit-and-skip" or "leaving the scene of an accident" in Louisiana is when a driver hits another person or vehicle and then immediately flees the scene. This is different from a "hit-and-run with property damage," which is when the driver hits another person or vehicle and leaves the scene without stopping to exchange information or check on the other person's well-being. These cases are often referred to as "hit-and-run with injury" or "hit-and-run with personal injury."

The most common reason drivers leave the scene of a hit-and-run accident is because they were driving without insurance. This is why many hit-and-run accidents happen at night. If a driver is driving at night without their headlights on, they are less likely to see another vehicle or pedestrian. If they do hit someone, they are more likely to drive away because they are not insured to drive their vehicle.

However, hit-and-run accidents can happen at any time of day. They can also happen when the driver is insured. In these cases, the driver might be trying to avoid responsibility or they might not realize they hit someone or something.

Lousiana Hit & Run Laws

In Louisiana, a hit-and-run is a criminal offense. The severity of the hit-and-run offense depends on the circumstances of the accident and the resulting damage or injuries.

If you are involved in a car accident in Louisiana, you are legally required to take the following steps:

1. Duty to Stop: If you are involved in an accident while driving, Louisiana law requires you to stop immediately at the scene of the collision. You must remain at the scene until you have fulfilled your obligations under the law.
2. Providing Information: After stopping at the scene, you must exchange information with the other parties involved. This includes providing your name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance information to the other driver(s) and any other person injured or owning damaged property.
3. Rendering Aid: If anyone is injured in the accident, you are required to provide reasonable assistance. This could include calling for emergency medical services (911) and providing aid within your capabilities.

Penalties for hit-and-run offenses in Louisiana vary based on the severity of the accident and the damages involved. If only property damage occurs, it may be charged as a misdemeanor with potential penalties such as fines, license suspension, and even imprisonment. However, if the accident results in injury or death, the offense can be charged as a felony with more severe penalties, including significant fines and possible imprisonment.

In addition to potential criminal penalties, hit-and-run drivers can also face civil liability for the damages caused by the accident. This may include compensation for property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among other damages.