Getting hit by another driver is always stressful. But if you find out the car that hit you was stolen, things can get even more confusing. You may be wondering who is going to cover the damage, your medical bills, or even your lost income. A skilled Louisiana car accident lawyer can help you understand your options and protect your rights. Here’s what you need to know if you were hit by a stolen car in Louisiana.
Whose Insurance Pays If I Was Injured by a Stolen Car?
If you’re hit by a stolen car, you’ll likely need to turn to your own insurance. Your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help pay for medical bills, and your collision coverage might cover damage to your vehicle, though a deductible may apply. The stolen car’s insurance won’t pay for your losses because the driver didn’t have permission to use the vehicle. Since the person who caused the crash probably doesn’t have insurance or money to pay for your damages, your own policy becomes your main way to recover.
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FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-9773Can You Sue the Owner of the Stolen Car?
Most of the time, no. The owner of the stolen car usually isn’t responsible for what the thief does with it. There is one exception: if the owner aided in the stealing of the car, they could be held partly responsible.
Louisiana Law R.S. 32:145 requires people to turn off the engine, lock the ignition, remove the keys, and set the brake before leaving a car unattended. But just breaking this rule does not automatically make the car’s owner legally responsible if a thief crashes it later.
Courts in Louisiana have consistently said that a car owner isn’t liable just because they left the car unlocked or the keys inside. For example, in DeCastro v. Boylan (1979), the court ruled that a theft and crash were not the owner’s fault. The same outcome occurred in Humphrey v. Balsamo (2005) and again in Underwood v. GEICO (2025). The bottom line: unless the owner did something extremely negligent, you typically cannot sue them if their stolen car hits you.
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FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-9773What If the Thief Has Insurance?
If the person driving the stolen car has their own auto insurance, and that insurance covers accidents in cars they don’t own, you might be able to file a claim against it. But this is not common. Most people stealing cars don’t have valid insurance, or their insurance doesn’t cover a car they stole.
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FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-9773What Is the Best Protection if the Driver Who Hit Me Has No Insurance?
If the person who hit you doesn’t have insurance, and most people driving stolen cars don’t, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can step in. UM coverage is optional in Louisiana, but it’s strongly recommended. It pays for your injuries, car damage, and other losses when the person at fault doesn’t have insurance.
If you have UM coverage, your insurance company will treat the accident as if the other driver had no insurance. You may still need to show that the other driver was at fault, but you won’t be stuck paying out of pocket for someone else’s bad actions.
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FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-9773How Does Louisiana’s “No Pay, No Play” Law Affect You?
Louisiana has a law called “No Pay, No Play”. It means if you don’t have car insurance at the time of a crash, you may not be allowed to collect the first $100,000 of injury damages or the first $100,000 of property damage, even if the crash wasn’t your fault. This rule can limit your recovery if you’re uninsured, even in stolen car cases.
To protect your rights and get full compensation, you must carry valid insurance on your vehicle.
Why Is It Important to Prove the Car Was Stolen?
Make sure to report the crash to the police right away. The police report can help show that the car was stolen, which supports your insurance claim. Without clear proof the car was taken without permission, your insurer might deny or delay your claim. Cooperating fully with the police and your lawyer helps protect your case.
Why Having the Right Lawyer Matters
Crashes involving stolen vehicles can get complicated. You may be dealing with multiple insurance companies, police investigations, and serious injuries. The attorneys at LJBLegal know how to handle these tough cases. They look into every detail, fight for what you’re owed, and make sure you’re not left dealing with the costs alone.
Injured by a Stolen Car? Here’s What to Do Next
- Call the police and get a report. This helps prove the car was stolen and that you weren’t at fault.
- Get medical attention right away. Even if you feel okay, some injuries show up later.
- Contact your insurance company and ask if you have UM coverage.
- Talk to an experienced lawyer. Don’t try to handle this kind of case by yourself.
If you were hit by a stolen car in Louisiana, you have options. The New Orleans car accident lawyers at LJBLegal are ready to help you understand your rights and fight for a fair outcome. You didn’t ask for this situation, but you don’t have to face it alone.
