Reckless driving is a gravely dangerous occurrence we see far too often on our streets. Louisiana state law carries harsh penalties for such behavior. Per Louisiana Revised Statute § 14:99, “reckless operation of a vehicle” and extreme cases of dangerous driving are criminally illegal, meaning a person can go to jail if they break this law. But even if police do not press charges, the victims of reckless drivers may still have options.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers represents victims of reckless drivers in and around Andrew, Louisiana. If you or a loved one were hurt by someone driving recklessly in Andrew, we may be able to help you win financial compensation for your injuries. Call us today at (337) 777-7777 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
How Louisiana Courts Help Victims of Reckless Drivers
Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315 states that if a person is at fault for the injury of another, they are legally obligated to financially remedy the damage. In the case of reckless driving, this damage can be extensive given the elevated speeds that reckless drivers use.
Courts typically seek to make a victim financially whole again after an accident. If the court rules in your favor against the defendant, expenses directly related to the accident will likely be covered. These may include:
- Hospital and medical bills
- Medical device costs (i.e. neck brace)
- Mechanic bills or fair value of your car
- Prescriptions
- Physical therapy
- Lost income or expected earnings
- Pain and suffering
To compensate for lost income, courts typically consider historical patterns of earnings. For example, if you were regularly receiving promotions or bonuses, but they were not part of your salary, you can still ask the court to compensate you accordingly. However, your judge will need to see evidence of the past earnings history.
There are different ways that your judge may choose to calculate pain and suffering in your case, if it goes to trial. An Andrew reckless driving lawyer can help explain how courts near Andrew have ruled in the past and how they will likely view the facts of your case.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers work on a contingency basis, so you do not have to pay anything out-of-pocket for us to take on your case and see it to completion. We will only collect a fee if we win for you. To learn more about your options, call (337) 777-7777 today.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientWhat to Do After a Reckless Driving Accident
There are many injuries that a person may have after a traffic accident that they are not aware of immediately. The shock and confusion after a collision often hides painful symptoms. Whenever possible, avoid telling people at the scene of the crash that you are fine or okay.
Do not admit fault to police officers, any other drivers, or their insurance companies. Anything you tell them can be used against you in court. Your communication with doctors and your lawyer is protected by law, but no such protections exist with these parties.
Whether or not you see fit to call the police, it is important to make sure an accurate record exists of your accident. An Andrew reckless driving lawyer can help you with this time-sensitive task to ensure that you report when you were injured and any information the hospital gave you.
It is also advisable to keep a written account of your experiences as you go through the aftermath of your collision. Try to write down every truthful detail you can and store this document in a safe place. You may also want to back it up online in case you lose your physical copy. This process will help you keep your account of events consistent and descriptive. The more verifiable details you include, the better—this all serves to strengthen your case.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientBenefits of Working with an Andrew Reckless Driving Lawyer
There are many parties who could be at fault in your case. Depending on the circumstances, a full evidentiary discovery and review is needed to determine which party (or parties) should be sued.
This may include entities such as:
- The insurer of the reckless driver
- The owner of the driver’s car
- The employer of the driver
- The estate of an uninsured motorist
- Your own uninsured motorist coverage
This list can also include a bar that served drinks to a visibly intoxicated patron if that patron went on to drive a vehicle recklessly. Reckless driving is often charged in conjunction with the crime of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Regardless of the facts of your case, a lawyer can help you sue the correct party (or parties) if you were injured by a reckless driver. It is important to act soon because the injuries you experienced could be more serious than you realize.
Another Reason Why There Is No Time to Waste
Louisiana Civil Code § 3492 gives injured people just one year from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit—the shortest amount of time that a state has. If your injury occurred more than a year ago, Louisiana courts will not allow a personal injury claim.
But it would still be a mistake to wait even a year to take action. Aside from the need to see a doctor and ensure that an accurate police report is filed, there are many other time-sensitive items that an Andrew reckless driving lawyer can help you with. These include:
- Researching relevant case law
- Determining how a judge would be likely to award
- Filing prompt paperwork with insurance carriers
- Gathering decaying evidence from the field
- Identifying and procuring witness testimony
- Ensuring the accuracy of medical records
- Petitioning any necessary edits to the police report
- Building and executing your case strategy
If you suffered injuries at the hands of another driver—especially a reckless driver—then you might be able to collect damages in court.
If you have questions about how reckless driving laws might apply to your case, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is here to help. Call us today at (337) 777-7777 to get started.
