An accident is jarring enough when it happens suddenly, but when the other driver leaves the scene before you can even get your feet under you, it can feel like getting hit for a second time. You have no idea who to file a claim against, and you do not know where your recovery funds are going to come from.
This does not mean there is no evidence or resources available to find the responsible person and have a New Orleans hit and run accident lawyer hold them accountable in court.
Partnering with Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers will make sure you are not left alone like people are after a hit and run. Our New Orleans car accidents lawyer has recovered over $100 million for our clients by focusing on exceptional, proactive client service. After your hit and run accident, do not let anyone get away with your compensation.
Different Kinds of Hit and Run Accidents
There is no clearly defined singular scenario for hit and run accidents in New Orleans. These can happen with or without you being involved in the scene, with different vehicles, and on roads or waterways. Your case will bring its own unique things to consider, such as your New Orleans hit and run accident attorney will use all tools at their disposal to make sure your case is built to suit you.
Sometimes, you walk to your car after dining at a restaurant only to find the side of it damaged, and no one to blame is in sight. Louisiana law holds these cases to the same standard as if you were involved in the accident itself, but these may not come with the same bodily injury claims. A damaged vehicle still could cause harm to you, so while you should let professionals handle it after the accident, documenting any damage to yourself or the vehicle is essential evidence.
Hit and runs can happen with all kinds of vehicles, including bikes, boats, cars, and trucks, among others. Louisiana law is careful to use the word vehicle to cover all of these as potentially being part of a hit and run, even explicitly defining it to include watercraft. If you were a part of a barge or other large maritime industry accident, now is the time to contact a New Orleans personal injury lawyer.
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504-500-1111Finding the At-Fault Driver in a Hit and Run Accident
The driver who ran from the scene of your accident clearly does not want to be found and held accountable for the damages they caused. You are left without the information they should have provided, like their name, address, and insurance. Remembering any details of the person or their vehicle is also not always feasible either.
When trying to find who is at-fault, we can leave no stone unturned. The Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development maintains more than 300 traffic cameras around the state, and there are also resources to find safety camera locations in New Orleans to see if one was near the scene of your hit and run. These cameras could prove invaluable in finding the perpetrator, especially if you act fast.
Witnesses are also a great resource to help law enforcement get a lead on the case. While you had to spend time getting your wits about you after your accident, witnesses may have had a clear view of the other driver or vehicle and in what direction they went. The sooner law enforcement gets these tips, the better chance they have at tracking down whoever hit you.
Penalties for Hit and Run Accidents in New Orleans
Once the suspect has been found in your hit and run accident case, your hit and run accident attorney in New Orleans will need to prove several points in court to make sure that person is held accountable. If convicted, they could stand to face serious time behind bars and substantial fines. Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers will also make sure we argue your case in court so that they pay for all of your damages.
Louisiana Revised Statute 14 §100. Hit-and-run driving outlines the exact penalties possible for the different hit and run situations you may face. If no one died and there was no serious bodily injury in the accident, they could face up to six months in prison, up to a $500 fine, or a combination of both, with a minimum imprisonment of ten days if they are found to be under the influence of a controlled substance.
If there was serious bodily injury or death as a direct result of the accident, those penalties go up to a maximum $5,000 fine and a maximum of ten years in prison, both, or even 20 years in prison if a series of other more severe criteria are met.
These stiff penalties will not come at the expense of your compensation. We will make sure the driver is still responsible, either through their insurance or other means, for making up for your damages. The penalty that matters to us the most is the one they owe directly to you, our client.
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504-500-1111Contact Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers Today
Do not let the person who hit your car run any further. The prospect of letting them get away with upending your life should not be an option for you. Let a hit and run accident lawyer in New Orleans fight for the win and add you to our list of successful case results.
Evidence, unfortunately, does not stick around forever, or it at least takes more effort to uncover as time goes on. Police may have your case on file, but we can push for your case to get the resources it deserves to find whoever committed your hit and run accident and bring them to justice. Do not let complacency run out the clock on your case.
In the end, it is you who stands to gain or lose the most in your case. Know that Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers places your interest before our own. In fact, that is one of our core values.
