Do I Need A Lawyer After A Hit And Run Accident?

Getting into a car accident in Lafayette, Louisiana is always a complicated and stressful matter, but it can be made far worse if the other driver takes off. These hit and run accidents can leave you with many worries and uncertainty regarding your next steps. Among the many questions a hit-and-run victim may ask is, “Do I need a lawyer after a hit-and-run accident?” The answer is usually yes. 

Thankfully, you don’t have to look far to find the right attorney for your case. At Kenny Habetz Injury Law, our team of Lafayette car accident lawyers can help you navigate the claims process.

With us, you can learn more about these and other car accidents that we handle like rollovers, head-ons, road defects, multi-vehicle car crashes, left-turn accidents, and more. Call us at (337) 399-9000 to schedule a free consultation today.

How Kenny Habetz Injury Law Can Help After A Hit And Run Accident In Lafayette, LA

How Kenny Habetz Injury Law Can Help After A Hit And Run Accident In Lafayette, LA

A hit and run accident in Lafayette, Louisiana can result in catastrophic injuries that end up forcing you to shoulder medical expenses you can’t cover and emotional trauma that prevents you from living your life to the fullest. 

It’s not easy to understand what the future may look like, especially if you can’t identify the offender, but at Kenny Habetz Injury Law, our team of Lafayette personal injury attorneys is here to help. 

We’ve been helping the people of Louisiana since our firm’s founding over a decade ago, and we are confident in our ability to handle even the most complicated cases, including hit and run accidents

We’ll provide a number of vital services to help guide you through the complex legal process. These include:

  • Assessing your claim
  • Investigating the accident to find the culprit
  • Communicating with insurers
  • Negotiating for the best possible settlement 
  • Bringing your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached

With a team of experienced lawyers by your side, getting the compensation you deserve can be made a bit easier. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. 

Understanding Hit-And-Run Accident Laws In Louisiana

A hit and run is an accident in which the driver of a vehicle does not stop to exchange information with the other party. Anyone who leaves the scene of an accident without identifying themselves is committing a hit-and-run, even if the other vehicle is parked.

Louisiana is an at-fault state for traffic accidents. In any regular collision, the person who caused the crash is responsible for paying the losses. Of course, in the event of a hit and run, your options become quite different.

In at-fault states, personal injury protection (PIP) insurance is optional. With it, you can file a claim against your PIP provider and recover losses up to your policy limit. Without it, you may be able to file against your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Doing so isn’t a required insurance option, either, but most policies include it anyway. 

In some instances, though, it may be possible to find the other driver. If the other driver is found, the case may become more straightforward as you can hold them accountable for the accident. You could then file a claim with their insurance for both economic and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering. However, if the driver remains unidentified, you may still be able to claim against your own uninsured motorist coverage.

If you file a claim under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, it will generally cover your economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Depending on your policy, it may also cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

How A Lafayette Lawyer Can Help

If you’re going up against your own insurance, you may assume that there’s no need to get lawyers involved. But as you may find, you can have just as difficult a time dealing with your insurance as you would with that of the other party. With a lawyer to assist you, it can be much easier to demonstrate that you’ve suffered losses and deserve compensation. 

Your lawyer can also help by investigating the accident. They’ll have experience gathering traffic camera footage and other similar data, which could help in identifying the other driver. If they’re able to do so, they can then hold the at-fault person responsible for your losses by proving their negligence.

However, finding the other driver also means negotiations with their insurance provider will be contentious. If a settlement isn’t possible, your lawyer can further support your case by taking it to court. 

Contact Our Lafayette Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation

All car accidents can be devastating, but you can experience significant strain if you are involved in a hit-and-run in Louisiana. Hiring an attorney to represent you can be one of the best options, as they will help you understand and focus on what it takes to receive compensation. 

Whether the process requires filing against your PIP provider or uninsured motorist insurance, or if it means trying to find the other driver, the team at Kenny Habetz Injury Law can help. We have decades of experience and a fierce dedication to our clients. 

If you have suffered losses in a crash, contact our team of Lafayette car accident lawyers to learn more about your options. We offer a free consultation.

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