Hit and Run in Louisiana: What to Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car or Flees (2026)

You walk back to your car in a Metairie lot and there it is — a fresh dent, some paint transfer, and no note. Or someone clipped you on I-10 and just took off. Frustrating doesn't cover it. But what you do in the next few hours decides whether you get paid or eat the cost yourself. Here's your game plan, plus what the law does to the driver who fled.

Quick Answer

Document everything immediately (photos, paint transfer, location, time), look for witnesses and cameras, and file a police report promptly. Because the at-fault driver is gone, your recovery usually depends on your own uninsured motorist (UM) and collision coverage. The driver who fled faces criminal charges under La. R.S. 14:100 — a misdemeanor for property damage, a felony (up to $5,000 and 2–10 years) if someone was seriously hurt or killed.

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What should you do in the first 10 minutes?

• Don't touch or wipe anything. Paint transfer and debris are evidence.
• Photograph the damage up close and wide, plus your car's position and surroundings.
• Look for the other vehicle's clues — broken plastic, a mirror, paint color, a partial plate a witness caught.
• Write down the time and exact location. For a moving hit-and-run, note the direction the car fled and any description (color, make, partial plate).

How do you find the driver who fled?

Hit-and-run drivers get identified more often than you'd think. Your best leads:

1. Witnesses. Ask nearby people, and in a parking lot, anyone walking by. Get names and numbers.
2. Cameras — the big one. Look for:

- Store or business security cameras facing the lot - Doorbell/Ring cameras on nearby homes - Traffic or parking-garage cameras - Dashcams in cars parked around you

3. Note timestamps and ask businesses to preserve footage now. Many systems overwrite within days.

What are the penalties for the driver who ran?

Under La. R.S. 14:100, a driver must stop, give their identity (name, address, and vehicle license number), and render reasonable aid. Fleeing carries real consequences:

Note that the statute covers hitting property and even a pet, not just other cars — and the definition includes failing to leave your information on an unattended vehicle.

When do you need to file a police report?

Promptly — ideally right away. A police report is usually required by your insurer for a hit-and-run/UM claim, and it creates the official record. Give the officer everything: photos, witness info, camera locations, and any description of the fleeing vehicle. Filing also matters because the driver who fled committed a crime, and your report starts that process.

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A simple hit-and-run timeline

How do you get paid if they're never found?

Since there's no at-fault driver to bill, you lean on your own policy:

• Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is designed for exactly this — an unknown or uninsured at-fault driver. Louisiana insurers must offer UM (La. R.S. 22:1295), so check whether you have it.
• Collision coverage pays to fix your car (minus your deductible) regardless of who's at fault.

If you carry neither, recovery gets tough unless the driver is identified — which is why UM coverage is worth having in Louisiana.

What if you're the one who hit a parked car?

Do the right thing, and protect yourself. Louisiana expects you to try to locate the owner or leave a note with your name and contact information. Driving off can be charged as hit-and-run under La. R.S. 14:100, even for an unattended vehicle. A note plus a photo of that note is cheap insurance against a criminal charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if someone hits my parked car and leaves in Louisiana? Photograph the damage and scene, look for witnesses and nearby cameras, file a police report promptly, and open a UM/collision claim with your own insurer.

Will insurance cover a hit-and-run in Louisiana? Often yes — through your uninsured motorist (UM) and/or collision coverage. A police report is usually required to file.

Is hit-and-run a felony in Louisiana? It can be. When the crash caused death or serious bodily injury and the driver knew or should have known, it's a felony (up to $5,000 and 2–10 years). Property-damage-only cases are misdemeanors.

How long do I have to report a hit-and-run? Report to police promptly — the same day if possible. Your insurer will also have its own notice deadline, so don't wait.

What if I accidentally hit a parked car? Try to find the owner or leave a note with your contact info (and photograph the note). Leaving without doing so can be charged as hit-and-run.

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Related Louisiana Guides

• What to Do After a Car Accident in Louisiana
• What Happens If You Don't Report a Car Accident in Louisiana?
• Car Accident Without Insurance in Louisiana

Sources

• La. R.S. 14:100 (hit-and-run driving; penalties), Acts 2025, No. 124 — legis.la.gov
• La. R.S. 32:398 (duty to notify police) — legis.la.gov
• La. R.S. 22:1295 (uninsured motorist coverage) — legis.la.gov

Disclaimer

General information about Louisiana law as of the last updated date — not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Criminal classifications and insurance requirements depend on your facts and policy. Consult a licensed Louisiana attorney and review your policy. Legal details pending attorney review before publication.

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