A 67-year-old man was injured in a hit-and-run accident on First Avenue in Lake Charles. The accident took place just after 6 p.m. on Friday. The man was pronounced dead after being taken to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.
Police are searching for the driver of the vehicle, which was described by witnesses as a silver four-door pickup truck. It was heading north on First Avenue when it hit the victim and kept going. There may be visible damage to the front end of the truck.
Anyone with information should contact Lake Charles Police.
Hit and Run Accidents in Louisiana
Leaving the scene of a car accident is a criminal offense in the state of Louisiana. If someone was seriously injured or killed, a conviction of the hit-and-run driver can lead to a twenty year prison sentence.
Victims and survivors of hit-and-run drivers are often left confused and angry, not knowing where to turn. Until the perpetrator is caught and convicted, there is little recourse.
If the perpetrator is identified, personal injury or wrongful death claims often follow criminal proceedings. Victims and their families will typically sue for compensation for their loss, as well as punitive damages against the driver and their insurance company.
If the hit-and-run driver does not get caught, the only other option for a serious injury victim is to file an uninsured motorist claim with their own insurance company.
The Lake Charles car accident lawyers at Simien & Simien believe that drivers who leave the scene of an accident should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We represent victims of hit-and-run accidents and their families, and will work to get you the compensation you are entitled to. Contact a personal injury lawyer from our firm today for a free consultation.
