Any auto accident can be traumatic, but accidents caused by hit-and-run drivers in Baton Rouge, LA, can be even more devastating. An experienced Baton Rouge hit & run accident lawyer can safeguard your rights and guide you during the insurance claim process.
Since opening our doors seven years ago, Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers has recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients – people just like you who were injured through no fault of their own. We fight tirelessly to secure compensation for our clients to cover medical bills, lost income, and other damages. Call our law office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, today at (225) 263-4787 to speak to a Baton Rouge hit & run accident attorney.
How Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Hit and Run in Baton Rouge
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers has over 50 years of combined experience.
Our Baton Rouge personal injury lawyers put this experience to use by:
- Explaining our clients’ legal rights and options to them in a straightforward manner
- Cooperating with police to try to identify the at-fault driver
- Identifying all avenues for financial recovery
- Gathering evidence to support your claim and damages demand
- Negotiating for fair compensation
- Reviewing all applicable insurance policies
- Handling communications and claim management with insurance companies
Our Baton Rouge car accident lawyers can handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on your recovery. Call us today for a free and confidential consultation with a Baton Rouge hit & run accident attorney.
What Is a Hit and Run?
Louisiana law requires drivers involved in any crash that results in property damage of more than $500, injury, or death to immediately report the crash to the local police department, sheriff’s office, or state police station. Additionally, they must give their name, address, and registration number to anyone injured in the crash or the other driver. They must also show their license if requested.
A hit and run occurs when someone involved in a collision fails to uphold these legal responsibilities.
Hit and Run Statistics
Over the course of four years, over four million hit-and-run crashes occurred in the United States—12,000 of these involved fatalities. Louisiana had the highest per capita rate for hit-and-run crashes in 2022, at a rate 139% higher than the national average. According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, 13% of fatal hit-and-run crashes between 2021 and 2023 occurred in Baton Rouge.
Dangers of Hit and Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents can be very dangerous for victims. These individuals may be left severely injured or left for dead while the at-fault driver flees the scene and refuses to take responsibility. Victims can suffer more serious injuries as they wait unattended. They are also left in a vulnerable position where they may be hurt by subsequent accidents.
Why Do Drivers Flee the Scene of an Accident?
People may flee the scene of an accident for various reasons, but it is usually because they are breaking the law or know they have done something wrong.
Common reasons drivers flee the scene of an auto accident include:
- They were drinking.
- They are on drugs.
- They have a warrant out for their arrest.
- They were fleeing the scene of a crime.
- They are driving without insurance.
- They have no license.
- They are driving on a suspended license.
- They are undocumented.
Sometimes, at-fault drivers flee because they are scared or because they know the accident was their fault and don’t want to be held responsible for it.
Who Is Responsible for Hit-and-Run Crashes?
The driver who fled the scene may be responsible for the crash. However, other parties may share in liability, such as an alcohol vendor who overserved the defendant or the defendant’s employer if they were working at the time of the crash. Our personal injury attorneys can identify all potentially at-fault parties to maximize your compensation.
What Damages Can I Recover from a Hit and Run Case?
You can seek compensation for the damages you suffered as a result of the hit-and-run accident, including:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
In some cases, it may be possible to seek punitive damages, which are intended to punish defendants for particularly egregious behaviors.
What Is the Value of My Car Accident Case?
Every car accident case is different. Generally, the more severe injuries you suffer, the more compensation you stand to be awarded.
But other factors can affect the value of your claim, including:
- Whether the at-fault driver is identified
- Whether you are limited to only your uninsured motorist coverage or other insurance coverage is available
- The value of your economic damages
- The extent of your pain and suffering
- Whether any portion of the accident’s fault is attributed to you
Contact an experienced lawyer today to get started with a case evaluation.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a two-year deadline for personal injury cases. If you don’t file a lawsuit within this timeframe, you can forfeit your right to recover compensation through the courts. Note this is the deadline to file a lawsuit. You may have a different timeline to file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurer. Look to your policy for those deadlines.
Contact Our Baton Rouge Hit & Run Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, an experienced Baton Rouge hit & run accident attorney from Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Call us today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights.
