Hit-and-Run · Uninsured Motorist Claims · Greater New Orleans
Metairie & New Orleans Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer
The other driver hit you and drove off — and now you're hurt, your car is wrecked, and there's no one to hand the bill to. So what happens now?
A hit-and-run feels hopeless, but it usually isn't. Even when the driver is never found, Louisiana law often gives you a path to recover — and knowing how to protect that path in the first hours matters. Bono Law Firm has represented injured Louisianans since 1980, right here in Metairie, minutes from New Orleans. When you call, you talk directly with an attorney named Bono — John C. Bono or Michael P. Bono — never a case manager or a call center. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
When the other driver runs, you still have rights. We'll help you use them.
What to do after a hit-and-run in Louisiana
What you do in the first hour can decide whether you're able to recover later. If you've been hit by a driver who fled, focus on these:
- Get to safety and call 911. A police report is one of the most important pieces of a hit-and-run claim — often required to recover under your own coverage.
- Write down everything you remember about the other vehicle — make, model, color, partial plate, direction of travel, any damage. Even small details help.
- Photograph the scene — your vehicle, the roadway, debris, skid marks, and your injuries.
- Look for witnesses and cameras. Nearby businesses, doorbell cameras, and traffic cameras may have caught the other car. That footage disappears fast.
- Get medical care right away, even if you feel "okay." Some serious injuries don't show up for days, and gaps in treatment get used against you.
- Don't chase the fleeing driver — it's dangerous and it isn't your job. Let the police and your lawyer handle finding them.
- Call us before you give any statement to an insurance company — including your own.
How you get compensated when the driver flees
Here's the part most people don't know: even if the hit-and-run driver is never identified, you may still be able to recover — through your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. Because a driver who flees is treated much like a driver with no insurance, UM coverage is usually the path to compensation for a hit-and-run.
<This matters enormously in Louisiana, where roughly one in five drivers has no insurance at all. UM coverage on your own auto policy is often the only thing standing between you and paying for a stranger's mistake out of your own pocket. If you're not sure whether you have it — or whether you have enough — we can help you find out. You can learn more on our uninsured motorist coverage page. A hit-and-run claim can get complicated fast, which is exactly why it helps to work directly with the attorney handling your case — that's the Bono difference.
Why the police report matters so much: for a hit-and-run, your UM claim often depends on having promptly reported the accident to police. That single step can be the difference between a covered claim and a denied one — which is why calling 911 at the scene is so important, and why it's worth talking to a lawyer before you deal with the adjuster.
We handle the full case, not just the paperwork
A hit-and-run is still, at its core, a car accident — and we handle it the same way: investigating what happened, working to identify the driver where possible, pursuing your uninsured motorist claim, and dealing with the insurance company so you don't have to. We also represent pedestrians and cyclists struck by hit-and-run drivers, and families who have lost a loved one to a fatal hit-and-run.
We've recovered substantial results for injured Louisiana clients over the years — you can see a sample of our past case results.
No fee unless we recover
Hit by a driver who took off? Let's talk — for free.
Since 1980, Bono Law Firm has represented more than 6,000 injured Louisianans across Jefferson Parish and Greater New Orleans. Consultations are free, home and hospital visits are available, our phones are answered 24 hours a day, and there's no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Free Consultation — Call (504) 835-9909Direct attorney access · No fee unless we recover · Se Habla Español
Common questions
Hit-and-run FAQ
How can I recover if the driver was never found?
Usually through your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. Because a driver who flees is treated like an uninsured driver, your UM coverage can step in to pay for your injuries and losses — even when no one is ever caught. We'll review your policy and handle the claim.
Do I really have to file a police report?
Yes — and quickly. For a hit-and-run, your ability to recover under UM coverage often depends on having promptly reported the accident to police. It's the single most important step you can take at the scene, so call 911 before you leave if you're able.
What if I don't have uninsured motorist coverage?
It may still be worth calling us. There may be other avenues depending on the facts — and if the driver is later identified, that changes everything. Either way, we can look at your specific situation and tell you honestly where you stand, at no cost.
How long do I have to file?
In Louisiana, you generally have two years from the date of the injury, but evidence in a hit-and-run — camera footage, witnesses, vehicle damage — disappears fast. The sooner you call, the more we can do, and the first call is free.
Hit by a driver who ran — in Metairie, New Orleans, or anywhere in between? You may have more options than you think. Talk to a local firm that's been fighting for injured Louisianans since 1980.
Direct attorney access · No fee unless we recover · Se Habla Español
