BEST Hit and Run Accident Attorneys Near You in New Orleans
Hit-and-run accidents in New Orleans have been an ongoing concern, with repercussions that impact both individuals and the broader New Orleans community. New Orleans is home to many big events such as Mardi Gras where the streets are filled with residents and tourists alike. Unfortunately, there are instances where drivers involved in accidents flee the scene of the accident without taking responsibility for their actions. This reckless behavior not only jeopardizes the safety and well-being of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers, but it also undermines the trust and sense of security. Law enforcement agencies like the New Orleans Police Department and advocacy groups have been working tirelessly to address this issue, increasing public awareness, improving surveillance systems, and implementing stricter penalties for offenders.
If you suffered personal injuries or property damage in a New Orleans hit-and-run accident, you may be facing important legal deadlines. Let our experienced hit and run attorneys at the Lavis Law Firm discuss your hit and run insurance claim with you immediately. Whether you are trying to file a short or long-term disability claim due to your injuries or have questions about your life insurance benefits to protect you and your family in the future, we can help.
If we agree to handle your case, we will do so on a contingency fee basis. No fee is owed if there is no recovery. You only pay if we win your case. For a FREE CASE REVIEW, contact a New Orleans car accident attorney at 504-834-4000 or complete our online form.
New Orleans Hit and Run Accident Statistics
Of the 21,563 New Orleans car accidents through December 31, 2021, 7,876 are classified as Hit & Runs. 37% of all reported New Orleans car accidents are hit & run accidents. In some case, these can be a pedestrian accident where the driver fleas the scene of the crime.
Hit-and-run in New Orleans is widespread as well with projected 2021 statewide total hit-and-run crashes of about 24,634 comprised of 19,795 property damage only, 4,839 injury, and 76 fatal hit-and-run crashes.
Click on the interactive map below and you will see the location of the hit and run accident, date of the accident, and if it was reported as a hit and run with injury.
The map shows all reported hit and run accidents in New Orleans in 2020 & 2021. The orange areas are where accidents happen more frequently. If you zoom in and drag your mouse or finger over the orange dots, you will see more detail about each reported accident.
Hit and Run Laws in New Orleans
According to traffic rules in accordance to New Orleans Code of Ordinances Section 154.384 on Hit and Run Driving:
- (a) Hit-and-run driving is the intentional failure of the operator of a vehicle involved in or causing any accident to stop such vehicle at the scene of the accident to give his identity and to render reasonable aid.
- (b) To give his identity, for the purpose of this section, shall mean that the operator of any vehicle involved in any accident shall provide his name, address, and the license number of his vehicle to witnesses present at the accident or shall report the accident to the police immediately.
- (c) Whoever is convicted of hit-and-run driving shall be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $300.00 or imprisoned for not less than ten days, or both.
Louisiana RS 14:100 Hit and Run Accidents
- A. Hit-and-run driving is the intentional failure of the driver of a vehicle involved in or causing any accident, to stop such vehicle at the scene of the accident, to give his identity, and to render reasonable aid.
- B. For the purpose of this Section:
- (1) “To give his identity”, means that the driver of any vehicle involved in any accident shall give his name, address, and the license number of his vehicle, or shall report the accident to the police.
- (2) Repealed by Acts 2019, No. 2, §3.
- (3) “Vehicle” includes a watercraft.
- (4) “Accident” means an incident or event resulting in damage to property or injury to person.
- C.(1)(a) Whoever commits the crime of hit-and-run driving where there is no death or serious bodily injury shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
- (b) Whoever commits the crime of hit-and-run driving where there is no death or serious bodily injury shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned for not less than ten days nor more than six months, or both when: (i) there is evidence that the vehicle operator consumed alcohol or used drugs or a controlled dangerous substance prior to the accident; (ii) the consumption of the alcohol, drugs, or a controlled dangerous substance contributed to the accident; and (iii) the driver failed to stop, give his identity, or render aid with the knowledge that his actions could affect an actual or potential present, past, or future criminal investigation or proceeding.
- (2) Whoever commits the crime of hit-and-run driving, when death or serious bodily injury is a direct result of the accident and when the driver knew or should have known that death or serious bodily injury has occurred, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than ten years, or both.
- (3) Whoever commits the crime of hit-and-run driving where all of the following conditions are met shall be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than five years nor more than twenty years:
- (a) Death or serious bodily injury is a direct result of the accident.
- (b) The driver knew or must have known that the vehicle he was operating was involved in an accident or that his operation of the vehicle was the direct cause of an accident.
- (c) The driver had been previously convicted of any of the following:
- (i) A violation of R.S. 14:98, or a law or an ordinance of any state or political subdivision prohibiting operation of any vehicle or means of transportation or conveyance while intoxicated, impaired, or while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any controlled dangerous substance on two or more occasions within ten years of this offense.
- (ii) A violation of R.S. 14:32.1-vehicular homicide.
- (iii) A violation of R.S. 14:39.1-vehicular negligent injuring.
- (iv) A violation of R.S. 14:39.2-first degree vehicular negligent injuring.
What Should I Do After a Hit and Run Accident in New Orleans?
The more information you can gather to provide to the police, the better. Try to:
- Get the make, model and color of the car;
- Look for any witnesses and get their information;
- Look for any disinterested witnesses as this may help with your insurance claim;
- Take pictures of the hit and run car, if possible, and the accident scene;
- Look for any traffic enforcement cameras or crime cameras so that the video can be timely subpoenaed;
- Take photos of your car for your insurance company;
- Call the police and file an accident report including the names of any witnesses and other applicable information you have gathered
Does My Policy Cover Hit and Run Insurance?
Your hit and run insurance policy may have these coverages to pay for your property damage and injuries:
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage pays benefits to you if your car is hit by a driver who has no insurance or too little insurance to pay for the full amount of your injuries or property damage. If you have Uninsured/ Underinsured Motorist coverage, any bodily injury you or an occupant of your vehicle suffers due to an accident caused by another driver is covered under this policy. Hit-and-run drivers may be classified as uninsured motorists, but it helps if there is a disinterested witness to the accident.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist economic-only coverage is the same as uninsured motorist coverage except that it covers only the actual costs of injuries to you and the occupants of your vehicle. Pain and suffering are not included under this coverage.227,8763420
- Uninsured/Underinsured motorist property damage coverage provides for repairs to your vehicle if you are in an accident with an uninsured driver. A $250 deductible applies under this coverage, and with liability coverage, your recovery is limited to $25,000 or the actual cash value of the vehicle, whichever is less. You can purchase a higher recovery limit if you choose. If your policy includes collision insurance, this coverage is not available.
- Collision coverage pays for damage to your car that results from an accident. You can collect under your own collision coverage, whether or not you were at fault. Collision coverage is always sold with a deductible.
- Medical payments coverage pays for medical expenses for a designated period of time following the accident, up to your policy’s dollar limits, and it includes funeral expenses. Payments are made regardless of who is to blame for the accident. Medical payments cover you, your family members, and other passengers in your car.
Does My Hit and Run Insurance Cover a Miss & Run Accident?
Closely related to the hit and run accident is the “Miss & Run Accident” where a phantom vehicle causes injury, death, or property damage without making physical contact and leaves the accident scene. For example, car A (the Phantom Vehicle”) runs car B off the road without making contact.
To recovery under uninsured motorist, persons injured in car B will have to show by an independent and disinterested witness, that the injury was the result of the actions of the driver of another vehicle whose identity is unknown or who is uninsured or underinsured.
Can a Hit and Run Insurance Company Raise Rates, Cancel, or Fail To Renew?
Some insurance companies will try to raise your rates. cancel your insurance, or fail to renew the policy. It is important to note that under Louisiana R.S. 22:1284 states:
- A. No insurer shall increase the rate, increase or add a surcharge, cancel, or fail to renew any policy of motor vehicle insurance when such action is based on consideration of one or more nonfault incidents.
- B. In this Section, “nonfault incident” means an accident, collision, or other incident involving a vehicle covered by a policy issued by the insurer in which the driver of the insured vehicle was not at fault, regardless of whether the incident was reported to any law enforcement agency.
Why Should You Hire a Hit and Run Lawyer Near You at Lavis Law Firm?
If you are suffering from a hit and run accident in New Orleans, let us help you get the compensation you deserve! Contact the personal injury lawyers in New Orleans at Lavis Law Firm by calling 866-558-9151 or submitting your online form.
Take advantage of our free consultation to speak with one of our hit and run lawyers near you regarding your claim and our advice on how to handle it best. Contact us today to start on the path toward filing a claim for the damages owed to you. We also offer free initial video consultations over Zoom, Skype, or Google Meets. Please keep in mind that you may be facing important legal deadlines.
We can also help if you were involved in a hit and run accident as a result of a motorcycle accident, truck accident, or even a bicycle accident.
Check Out What Clients Are Saying About Our Hit and Run Attorneys Near You in New Orleans
I’ve been a client of Mr. Lavis for over 10 years, he always provided excellent service. He makes the process painless and he’s a very hand on attorney. You get knowledge, compassion and accountability with Charles Lavis and I would recommend him to all my family and friends.
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