Hit And Run Lawyer in Baton Rouge

After a car accident, the at-fault driver might try to get away from the scene of the crash. If you experienced injuries because of a hit-and-run accident, you can file a personal injury claim. It is illegal to hit and run after a car accident, as all involved parties must stay at the scene of the crash to exchange information so that their insurance companies can provide coverage for any damages. If you were in a hit-and-run car accident, you can recruit the help of a dedicated attorney who has your best interests at heart. Call Murray Law today for a free consultation. 

What Are My Rights as a Hit and Run Victim?

Your attorney will do their best to help you get compensation from the person accountable for your injuries. If available, dashcam and surveillance camera footage can be used to help identify the fleeing vehicle. The police will try to use images, license plate tags, and descriptions of the vehicle to help you and your attorney locate the hit and run driver. After you’ve been in a hit and run car accident, you may be eligible for a settlement and it is possible to get compensation from your insurance company if you have uninsured motorist coverage. 

What Happens to a Hit and Run Driver?

The hit and run driver will be penalized and may be sent to jail for causing an accident then leaving the scene of the crash. Even if there have been no injuries due to the car accident, the hit and run driver can be fined up to $500 and sent to six months in jail. If they caused any injuries or fatalities, they can be fined up to $5,000 and end up in prison for up to 10 years. 

What Are Some Reasons for a Hit-and-Run Accident?

Often, hit and run drivers are trying to evade law enforcement for other reasons besides car accidents. They may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, be involved in criminal activities, or have illicit products in their vehicle. These drivers tend to leave the scene of the accident so they won’t be caught by the police. 

What Should I Do After I’ve Been in a Hit and Run Accident?

After you’ve been in a car accident, you can follow these steps to help get you to file a personal injury claim with your hit and run lawyer. 

Take Pictures As Soon as Possible

Once you’ve been in a car crash, the other car may not leave immediately. Try to take pictures of their car and their license plate as they are trying to flee the scene. You may be able to get parts of their license plate and use that in combination with the make of their vehicle to narrow down who the owner of the vehicle may be. 

Call the Police

After your car accident, call the police because they may be able to locate and catch the hit-and-run driver. They will also file a police report that includes your input on how the accident happened. Your lawyer can later request a copy of the police report for your settlement claim. 

Get Contact Information from Witnesses 

If there were any witnesses nearby, it is a good idea to get their contact information. The witnesses may be able to describe the hit and run driver and the make of their vehicle. You can use their testimonies in conjunction with yours to help the police locate the individual. 

See a Doctor

You will need to get medical treatment to know the extent of your injuries. This also prevents you from having to readjust your settlement later on when you discover hidden injuries that you weren’t aware of sooner. Your medical bills can be included in your total settlement. 

Call Your Lawyer 

You should speak with your attorney as soon as possible so they can guide you on what your next steps will be. They can coach you on how to approach your insurance company for fair compensation if you are seeking damages not covered by your uninsured motorist coverage. Your attorney will be in touch with the police, who will also launch an investigation into your case and help to discover who the hit and run driver might be. If the hit and run driver is found, your lawyer will use the valuable evidence the police provide to prove your are owed a fair compensation. They will use all available methods to help you pursue compensation for your injuries. 

Call Your Insurance Company 

Your insurance company should be updated on what happened in your car accident and how the hit and run crash occurred. They will possibly cover some of your damages, such as property damage and medical bills. 

What Can I Receive In My Hit and Run Settlement?

If the driver is caught and proven guilty, you can receive compensation for the following damages.

Medical Bills

After you’ve been injured, you will need medical treatment to help you recuperate from your wounds. Some personal injuries caused by car accidents can be so severe that you require surgery to heal. You may also have to attend follow-up clinic visits, and that can add additional costs to your overall medical expenses. Luckily, this can be included in your total settlement amount. 

Pain and Suffering

Because of your wounds, you may be struggling with terrible discomfort, pain, and fatigue. You also might be suffering from negative emotions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and more. When this is the case, your lawyer will do use methods to range how severe your injuries are from one to seven, then they can use this as a multiplier to calculate your pain and suffering. 

Wage Loss

If seriously injured, you may have to take time off from work. This will reduce the amount of income you receive because you are unable to work. Settlement compensation can include current and future wage loss so that you can be paid back for all the missing time. 

Property Damage

In many cases, your insurance will be able to cover the property damage you experience in a car accident. If your car damage is unrecoverable are too extreme, then it may go past your maximum allowable coverage. When the property damage far exceeds the maximum amount of coverage under your insurance policy, you can then hold the other party liable for repaying you. Your attorney can help you recover this amount after surveying the damages on your car and what wasn’t included from your insurance coverage. 

What Else Can I Do After a Hit and Run Accident?

After your hit and run car accident, you can contact the DMV with the information you have to help them figure out who caused your personal injury. The police will take over your case and begin the investigation of figuring out who the hit and run driver is. Work with a helpful lawyer who can stay on top of communications while the police perform an investigation. The police will reach out to multiple professionals, get surveillance footage, and provide additional details to help locate the hit and run driver. Your attorney can draft documents, calculate your damages, and negotiate a fair settlement amount with the other parties liable for your wounds. To get started, Contact Murray Law for a free consultation.