Experienced Lawyers In Louisiana

Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Lafayette

Home » Louisiana Hit & Run Car Accident » Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Lafayette

Injured? Get Gordon!

No Fee Unless We Win

I’ll win your case, or you don’t owe me a dime. No costs, no expenses, no fee. Nothing.

Get A Free Consult

Injured? Get a FREE Consult Now!

K+

Clients Helped

Local Attorneys

Years In Business

$1M Settlements & Verdicts

Best Lafayette Hit-and-Run Accident AttorneysNear Me

Free Consultation for Hit and Run Accident Cases Near Carencro

The driver who hit you drove off with their name and insurance details. They did not drive off with your right to seek compensation. Your own coverage, a witness, or a video clip can still help build your claim. What you do in the first few days matters.

A Lafayette hit-and-run accident attorney can help you find out who may pay for your injuries, even if the driver is never caught. At Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, our Lafayette personal injury lawyers help people hurt in Lafayette, Scott, Carencro, and across Acadiana. We are rooted here, and we understand the local courts, including the 15th Judicial District Court.

Our firm has recovered $3 Billion for injured clients, including 230+ Million dollar verdicts and settlements. Your consultation is free. With No Fee Unless We Win, you pay nothing unless we win or settle your case.

Get A Free Consult

Types of Hit-and-Run Accident Injuries Our Lafayette Lawyers Handle

When a driver flees, you may be left hurt with no one stopping to help. We take time to learn how your injuries affect your health, your work, and your family. That full picture helps us pursue the compensation you need.

Here are some of the injuries our team handles:

Lafayette Hit and Run Accident Statistics

LSU researchers publish a yearly report on Louisiana crashes. Their 2025 numbers show the toll on our roads, including how often pedestrian deaths involve a driver who fled.

Get A Free Consult

28%

of pedestrian fatalities were in a hit-and-run

766

people killed in 727 fatal crashes

$8.8 billion

billion in estimated total economic costs

Source: LSU Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety, “Louisiana Traffic Records Data Report 2025” (September 15, 2026)

What Louisiana Law Requires of Drivers After a Crash

Louisiana’s hit-and-run law applies to any driver involved in or causing a crash. That driver must:

Stop at the scene
Give their identity
Give reasonable aid

Giving identity means sharing their name, address, and license plate number, or reporting the crash to police. A driver who intentionally fails to do these things commits the crime of hit-and-run driving (R.S. 14:100).

Penalties for Drivers Who Flee

The penalty depends on how badly someone was hurt (R.S. 14:100):

No death or serious bodily injury: a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both
Death or serious bodily injury, when the driver knew or should have known it happened: a fine of up to $5,000, 2 to 10 years in prison, or both

A criminal case against the driver is separate from your injury claim. For your claim, Louisiana law says anyone whose fault causes damage to another must repair it (Civil Code Article 2315).

Injured? Call Now at 888.501.7888

How Fault Works When the Driver Flees

Louisiana assigns fault to every person who caused or helped cause a crash. That includes a driver whose identity is unknown (Civil Code Article 2323). So the driver who fled still carries a share of the blame, even if no one ever learns their name.

Your own share matters, too. Since January 1, 2026 (Civil Code Article 2323):

If you are less than 51% at fault, your damages are reduced by your share
If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages

An insurer, even your own, may argue that you share the blame. A few percentage points can change what you recover.

Get A Free Consult

Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Lafayette 1

Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Lafayette 2

Help From Louisiana’s Crime Victims Reparations Program

Louisiana’s Crime Victims Reparations program can help crime victims with costs such as medical care, lost earnings, and funeral expenses. Injuries caused by a driver who broke the hit-and-run law can qualify (R.S. 46:1805).

The rules are strict. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office explains that the crime must be reported to law enforcement within 72 hours, unless there is a valid reason for a delay. The application must be filed within one year of the crime. The state board can also deny or reduce an award if the victim shares responsibility or was not wearing a seat belt (R.S. 46:1809).

Lafayette Consolidated Government lists any Louisiana sheriff’s office as a place to get an application.

Get A Free Consult

How Our Lafayette Hit-and-Run Lawyers Build Your Case

Proof in a hit-and-run can be hard to find. Witnesses move on, and memories fade. A hit-and-run crash attorney in Lafayette works quickly to find what is still out there. With 679+ years of combined legal experience, our team knows where to look. Every case gets a team of lawyers and support staff. If you hire us, we may:

Get the police report and work with investigators
Look for video from nearby businesses, homes, and traffic cameras
Check paint transfer, broken parts, and damage that may point to the car
Find and interview witnesses
Review your auto policy and any other coverage that may apply
Handle calls and paperwork with insurance companies
Prepare your case for trial if needed

If a commercial truck hit you and kept going, our Lafayette truck accident lawyers can look into the trucking company’s role. We are not afraid to go to trial when that is what it takes.

Injured? Call Now at 888.501.7888

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

As a hit-and-run injury lawyer in Lafayette, we look at every way the crash has changed your life. Depending on your case and your coverage, you may be able to recover:

Medical bills, past and future
Lost wages and lost ability to earn
Pain and suffering
Vehicle repair or replacement
Loss of consortium (companionship) for certain family members

If you lost a loved one in a hit-and-run, a wrongful death claim may be possible. Louisiana law lists who can file, in order: a spouse and children first, then parents, then siblings, then grandparents (Civil Code Article 2315.2).

Get A Free Consult

Deadlines for Hit-and-Run Claims in Louisiana

Louisiana law calls a filing deadline “prescription.” If you miss it, you can lose your right to recover. A Lafayette hit-and-run lawyer can help you keep track of each one:

Injury claims from crashes after July 1, 2024: 2 years from the day of the injury (Civil Code Article 3493.1)
Uninsured motorist claims: 2 years from the date of the crash (R.S. 9:5629)
Wrongful death claims: 1 year from the death or 2 years from the day of the injury, whichever is longer (Civil Code Article 2315.2)
Crime victims reparations: report to law enforcement within 72 hours, and apply within one year of the crime

Crashes on or before July 1, 2024 may fall under older rules. Call us, and we will review your timeline.

Get A Free Consult

Contact a Hit and Run Accident Attorney Near Scott Today

Injured in an Accident? Find Legal Help Near You.

A driver who flees leaves you with questions they should have stayed to answer. You do not have to find those answers alone. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys has over 180 employees, including 130+ staff and 47 attorneys ready to stand up for injured Louisianans. Our team at our Lafayette office helps people from Scott to Carencro. Hurt somewhere else in the state? Our Louisiana hit-and-run accident lawyers can help there, too.

Call 888.501.7888 or contact us online for a free consultation with a Lafayette hit-and-run accident attorney. With our No Fee Unless We Win promise, you pay nothing unless we win or settle your case. That’s the G Guarantee.

Get Gordon. Get It Done.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary depending on the facts and circumstances of each case. Viewing this website or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Injured? Call Now at 888.501.7888

Who Pays After a Hit and Run in Lafayette?

The answer depends on two things: whether the driver is found, and what insurance you carry. Many hit and run accident claims in Lafayette come down to your own auto policy.

If the Driver Is Never Found

The Louisiana Department of Insurance says hit-and-run drivers may be classified as uninsured motorists. That means your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may pay for your injuries. The department adds that it helps if a disinterested witness saw the crash.

Louisiana auto policies must include UM coverage unless the policyholder turned it down, chose lower limits, or chose “economic-only” coverage on a signed state form (R.S. 22:1295). Economic-only coverage pays only the actual costs of your injuries. It does not pay for pain and suffering.

Do not assume you have no coverage. Our Lafayette car accident lawyers can review your policy with you.

If the Other Car Never Touched You

Some drivers force you off the road or cause you to crash, then leave without ever making contact. UM coverage still includes these crashes. But you must prove what happened through an independent and disinterested witness (R.S. 22:1295). That is why witness names and phone numbers matter so much.

If Police Find the Driver

Once the driver is identified, their liability insurance may pay. Louisiana requires each vehicle’s policy to carry at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per crash for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage (R.S. 32:900). If those limits fall short, the Department of Insurance says UM coverage also pays when the at-fault driver has too little insurance.

Other Coverage That May Help

The Department of Insurance describes other coverage you may already have:

Medical payments coverage, which pays medical bills for a set time after a crash, no matter who was at fault
Collision coverage, which pays to repair your car whether or not you were at fault
UM property damage coverage, which pays for repairs after a crash with an uninsured driver, with a $250 deductible

Under R.S. 22:1295, drivers without collision coverage can ask their insurer in writing to add UM property damage coverage.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in Lafayette

If you are able, take these steps:

Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and ask for police
Do not chase the other driver
Write down the plate number, make, color, and direction of the car, if you saw them
Take photos of the scene, your car, and your injuries, if it is safe
Ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers
Get medical care, even if you feel fine
Tell your insurance company about the crash
Get a copy of the police report

Reporting to police quickly also protects your chance to apply for crime victims reparations. If you could not do all of this, our team can help fill in the gaps.

Common Challenges in Hit-and-Run Accident Claims in Lafayette

Hit-and-run claims bring problems that other crash claims often do not. Injured people may face:

A driver who is never found
No independent witness after a no-contact crash
An insurer that says you turned down UM coverage or chose economic-only coverage
Disputes over whether the crash caused your injuries
Low offers made before you know the full cost of your care
Requests for a recorded statement soon after the crash

Before you give a recorded statement or sign anything, talk with a lawyer. Already said or signed something? Do not panic. Call us, and we will review where your claim stands.

Don’t Wait — Talk to a Lafayette Hit & Run Accident Lawyer Today

At Gordon Mckernan Injury Attorneys, we understand that emotional and physical recovery come hand and hand after an injury or accident. We also know that you may not have the energy or time to fight with an insurance company and the complexities of your personal injury claim.

Call a Lafayette Hit & Run Accident Laywer Near Me

How It Works

Filing a claim with Gordon Mckernan Injury Attorneys is easy!
Simply follow the steps below.

Step One

Step 2

Step 3

Get Your Free Consultation

Fill out our quick and easy form to find out if your case qualifies. Our consultations are free and confidential, and we are here to help whether you hire us or not!

Hear From An Attorney

Our team will evaluate your case and decide on the best course of action. One of our lawyers will get back to you promptly and begin the process of winning your case!

Get Gordon!
Get It Done!

Once your case has been evaluated and deemed a good fit for our firm, our team will go to work immediately on gathering evidence, building your case, and getting you the compensation that you deserve.

Excellent

          Posted on Google  
   
   keodra keekee 
 23 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Devin and crystal are the best. I really appreciate them helping me with my case
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Darnell Odds 
 22 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ann Marie and Daniel are the best ever very professional and gets it done
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Paul Varnado 
 22 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My AttorneyMr. Hayden Bergeron was professional, courteous, compassionate, and understanding throughout my case. He's an asset worth having on your team.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Lawrence Dunbar 
 22 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Everything was real profesonial and hassle free.If I had question I made one call and it was answered immediately. Very helpful and understanding
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   LOVE YOURSELF 
 21 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ THE BEST OF THE BEST!

I’ve used Attorney Tim McCray for multiple cases, and I wouldn’t hesitate to choose him again! He is knowledgeable, professional, honest, trustworthy, efficient, and an absolute BULLDOG for his clients! His advocacy goes above and beyond expectations, and his communication is consistently responsive and reliable. He doesn’t just represent you; he FIGHTS for you!

Honorable mention to his amazing assistants, Ann Marie and Emily, who are just as wonderful to work with!

God forbid I ever need an attorney again, but if I do, TIM WILL BE MY FIRST AND ONLY CALL! I trust him to fight for me and my loved ones and to ensure we receive the fair compensation we deserve. When you find an attorney you can truly count on, you stick with him. Tim is that attorney!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   natasha campbell 
 21 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank you Attorney Hayden Bergeron for working my case I give you double stars for doing what you do to get the job done Thanks 😊
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   W Kimbell 
 21 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had the pleasure of Attorney Markel Guidry handling my case. Not only was he efficient and consistent with his efforts to ensure that the insurance company appropriately compensated me, but he also made certain that the case was resolved quickly. I highly recommend Gordon Mckernan Injury Attorneys. You can't go wrong, unless of course you never give them a call. I will definitely utilize their services again should I find myself in need.

Always amazing results!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Katie West 
 21 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Such an amazing team to have working on my side!!! They are so patient and kind and get you everything you could ever need !!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Molly Larpenteur 
 20 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Brent Robinson handled my case so well. He always communicated with me in a timely manner and guided me in making the best decisions regarding my case.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Kaiden Dawson 
 20 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Devin was very helpful and did an awesome job with my case
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Marlene Johnston 
 20 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’m grateful that I trusted Gordon McKernan to handle my injury case. My attorney, Chris Melancon was so professional, understanding, knowledgeable and informative. I couldn’t have asked for better. Highly recommend! The outcome he worked for exceeded my expectations. I only wish I’d contacted them sooner!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Kaiden Dawson 
 19 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Devin was awesome and very helpful, he did a great job handling my cases
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   marcelle murphy 
 19 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Awesome attorney, Jeff Watson and the entire team a great to work with.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   His Grace 
 18 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My Atty was Jeff Watson, he is very knowledgeable of the laws as it relates to personal injury. He has several years of experience working within the corporate and private sector. Atty Watson ensure the full value of my case was received. After being persistent with the negotiating process, he was able to obtain additional funds. Ms Donna is a very compassionate person and has a great personality. Thanks to everyone involved in this process. May God bless and keep you all.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Aaron Phillips 
 17 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My experience was amazing, Eric made it simple for me as I was taking care of getting better.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Tercarla Davis 
 16 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Love them they get it done fast too
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Barry Washington 
 15 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I couldn’t be more pleased with the service. This is the best law firm ever thanks to Matt Terrell and Courtney Yarbrough. Thank you
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Bernice Joseph 
 15 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hands down the best law firm!!!. I recommended this firm to another person and the attorney Matt Terrell took care of them. Very professional, compassionate and wonderful. You gotta be crazy not to hire them!!!!!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Ashston Lowe 
 15 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Get Gordon! Easy process, great people. 100% recommend.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   stephanie first 
 14 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +0
I loved how Mr Antonio was prompt in calling me texting me keeping me up to date with my case was solved  very fast
I've been with The law firm through serveral cases Mr Antonio Finley never disjointed me I will recommend Gordon law firm to everyone I know.  MR Finley the best Thank yall Grateful
  
 
 
  Load more
 
 
   Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 6479 reviews 
 
   Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

Settlements & Verdicts

Frequent Answered
Questions