Most people understand what they need to do if they're involved in a car crash with another vehicle: stop, exchange identification and insurance information with the other driver, and call the police if there is damage to either vehicle or if anyone is injured. But what happens when the other driver decides not to play by the rules and simply leaves the scene?

What You Can Do to Help Yourself

First, if anyone is injured, call 911 and do what you can to help while they're on the way. Assuming that's been taken care of, the next thing you should do is record as much information as you can about the other driver: what kind of a car or truck it was, what color it was, any license plate information, and any characteristics about the vehicle or the driver that might be able to help the police.

If there are other people around, ask for their contact information. See if they can tell you anything about the other vehicle or driver that you don't already know. Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and of the surrounding area. Look for any debris that may have come from the other driver's vehicle. When the police arrive – and yes, you should call the police – point that out to them so they can collect it as evidence. The police may be able to locate the fleeing party and arrest them for hit and run.

What About Calling My Insurance Company?

Whether your insurer will cover the damage to your vehicle and any injuries to you or your passengers will depend a lot on the type of policy you have. If you have a full coverage policy, the damage to your vehicle

and any medical costs may be covered. If you have a minimum-coverage policy, they may not be. Similarly, if you have coverage against uninsured or underinsured motorists, you may be covered even if the other driver is never found. Your insurance agent or a contact person at your insurance company will help you process your claim. You should have a copy of your police report and photos of the damage ready for any claim you decide to file.

But What About the Other Guy?

Leaving the scene of a crash in Louisiana is a crime. How serious a crime depends on whether anyone was injured or killed, and whether there was any damage to property (which can include both vehicles as well as nearby property such as a house, landscaping, and the like). Consequences can range from a fine of up to $500 and up to six months in prison to a fine of up to $5000 and 5 to 20 years in prison, depending on the circumstances of the crash and whether the defendant had prior vehicle-related crimes.

The Delsa Law Firm, LLC, Can Help

If you've been involved in a vehicle crash where the other driver has fled the scene, and you believe your insurance company is improperly refusing to cover your repair or medical costs, contact the Delsa Law Firm, LLC, for help. We'll provide you with the representation you need to negotiate your claim with your insurer and can launch our own investigation into the hit-and-run case to find out who is really responsible for your losses.

Attorney Ben Delsa has helped clients from across Louisiana collect from stubborn insurance companies and from drivers who made the mistake of believing that fleeing the crash scene was an effective way to avoid responsibility. The Delsa Law Firm, LLC, is ready to help you with your hit-and-run case; call us today at (985) 882-1222 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We're conveniently located in Slidell, just off of I-12.