If you were involved in an accident and have undergone financial hardship due to medical bills and lost wages, you are not alone. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites the annual cost of lost productivity and necessary medical care due to car accidents in the $75 billion range in 2017. You do not have to fight for financial recovery on your own in the devastating aftermath of an accident.
The personal injury lawyer who represents you may also guide you in calculating the types and amounts of your recoverable damages, which may include:
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Learn more about the advantages of trusting your personal injury lawsuit to the personal injury team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. Our team of car accident lawyers focuses on your financial recovery so you can focus on your physical recovery. The first consultation is free.
In This Article
What Lawyer Deals With Car Accidents?
What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?
Is It Worth Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer?
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?
What Damages Can I Collect for a Car Accident?
Can I Sue Someone Personally After a Car Accident?
Will My Car Accident Lawyer Deal With the Insurance Companies for Me?
How Long Does a Car Accident Claim Take to Settle?
Do You Have to Go to Court for a Car Accident?
What Happens if the At-Fault Party Doesn’t Have Car Insurance?
Who Can Be Sued in a Car Accident Case?
What Should I Do in the Days Following a Car Accident?
What Should I Do at the Scene of a Car Accident?
What Can I Do to Protect My Rights After a Car Accident?
How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
How Much Should You Settle for After a Car Accident?
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident?
Should I Go to the Hospital After a Car Accident Even if I’m Not Hurt?
What Are the Main Causes of Car Accidents in Louisiana?
How Does a Car Accident Lawyer Calculate Pain and Suffering?
Do You Always Get a Settlement From a Car Accident?
When Should You Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
How Do I Find a Good Car Accident Lawyer?
What Happens When You Go to Court for a Car Accident?
How Do I Get a Car Accident Report?
What Will My Car Accident Lawyer Look for in My Claim?
What Happens if Another Car Causes You to Crash?
Who Is At Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident?
Who Is Liable for Car Accidents in Lafayette?
Can I File a Car Accident Injury Claim for My Child?
What Should I Expect From the Insurance Claims Process?
Can I Sue for a Fatal Car Accident?
Let Our Client Support Team Help You Fight for Financial Compensation
What Lawyer Deals With Car Accidents?
A car accident that results in physical, property, and financial damages as the result of negligence is considered a personal injury, according to the American Bar Association (ABA). Therefore, a personal injury lawyer can help you fight for financial compensation after a car accident.
A personal injury lawyer familiar with the laws of your state can help you understand how state-specific laws might impact your lawsuit. These laws may include Louisiana’s statute of limitations, which determines how much time you have to file your lawsuit. A personal injury lawyer might also obtain, complete, and submit the plethora of required insurance paperwork.
In addition to helping you build a lawsuit and negotiate a settlement, a personal injury lawyer may also represent you on a contingency-fee-basis, which allows you to get legal representation without paying any upfront or out-of-pocket expenses.
Quick Links
- What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?
- Can I Sue Someone Personally After a Car Accident?
- Who Can Be Sued In a Car Accident Case?
- How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
- How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident?
- What Are the Main Causes of Car Accidents in Louisiana?
- When Should You Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
- How Do I Get a Car Accident Report?
- What Will My Car Accident Lawyer Look for in My Claim?
- Who Is At Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident?
What does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?
A car accident lawyer can handle many aspects of your car accident lawsuit, which allows you to focus primarily on your physical recovery. On your behalf, your lawyer may:
- Prove the at-fault driver’s negligence
- Read and review your crash report
- Build a solid and supportive evidence file
- Assign an accurate value to your lawsuit
- File your lawsuit in a timely fashion
- Negotiate a favorable financial settlement
The Insurance Information Institute (III) recommends calling the police to the accident scene to generate a crash report. Doing so may allow your lawyer to glean important details from your crash report that allow them to contact all involved parties, including witnesses who may support your version of the cause of the collision.
Your crash report may also tell your legal team whether drugs, alcohol, distractions, traffic violations, or road conditions played a role in causing the collision and the severity of your injuries.
Is It Worth Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer?
The laws of your state may allow you to seek financial compensation from an at-fault driver on your own. However, the advantages of hiring a car accident lawyer might make this course worthwhile. A car accident lawyer may be able to help you prove the legally required elements of negligence that entitle you to financial compensation.
We must prove these elements to establish negligence:
- The at-fault driver had a responsibility to provide you with reasonable care
- The at-fault driver breached that duty of responsibility
- Their breach caused your injuries and resulted in financial damages
Some actions you take may assist your lawyer in providing the required proof of your right to financial recovery. According to the III, you might exchange information with the at-fault driver at the scene of the accident, including information about their insurance provider. If possible, you should also collect contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident.
To assist your lawyer in valuing your injuries and the expenses that stem from your injuries, you may be asked for copies of your medical records, paycheck stubs, and injury photos.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?
Because there are so many variables involved in a car accident case, the average settlement is impossible to determine. Variables that may affect the amount of compensation you receive include the amount of income you miss and the costs and length of the medical care your injuries require.
Factors that contribute to the value of your potential compensation package may include:
- All injury-related income loss
- All injury-related medical expenses
- Compensation for your pain and suffering
- Compensation for your emotional anguish
You may also be entitled to have your vehicle repaired or replaced. According to the III, you might be able to choose where to have your car repaired. If your car is declared a total loss, you might also be able to have its value independently assessed instead of accepting the insurance adjuster’s initial offer for its value.
What Damages Can I Collect for a Car Accident?
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident, the damages you might be able to collect from the at-fault driver include:
- Current and anticipated medical bills
- Current and anticipated loss of income
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
You may also be entitled to collect the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle according to the extent of the damage it sustained. According to the III, you should be entitled to have your car restored to its pre-accident condition.
A personal injury lawyer in your area might be able to help you assess the extent of your injuries, property damage, and income loss. Your lawyer might also be able to help assign a value to your intangible expenses, including pain and suffering, and ensure you file your lawsuit on time.
Can I Sue Someone Personally After a Car Accident?
Yes, you have the right to sue someone personally for the financial compensation you deserve after a car accident caused by negligence. You might consider doing so if the at-fault driver had no insurance coverage or your financial expenses and losses exceeded their coverage limits. Filing a lawsuit is complex and time-consuming, and the other driver may not have the funds to reimburse you for accident-related damages.
Still, you may have other options for financial compensation. If your insurance policy includes mandatory or optional uninsured (UM) or underinsured (UIM) coverage, you might be able to tap into it for compensation. No matter how you seek this compensation, there are certain types of financial recovery you may be entitled to receive:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- In-home assistance
A lawyer near you might be able to help you evaluate your recoverable damages after a car accident. They may also be able to help you determine whether suing the at-fault driver, their insurer, or both is the best option. They may also help you seek recovery from your own insurer.
Will My Car Accident Lawyer Deal With the Insurance Companies for Me?
When you trust your pursuit of financial compensation to a car accident lawyer, they can deal with the insurance companies for you. Some actions they may take on your behalf include obtaining, completing, and submitting the plethora of required forms, establishing the at-fault driver’s liability, and negotiating on your behalf for a favorable financial settlement. The III’s How to File an Auto Insurance Claim page cites the information you may be required to obtain, compile, and submit to the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. This information includes:
- Proof of claim forms
- Official crash report
- Medical records and bills
- Proof of income loss
- Property repair bills
- Property replacement estimates
Your lawyer might also submit evidence and witness statements that substantiate your right to recovery by proving the at-fault driver’s negligence. If you were involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, your car accident lawyer might also deal with your insurance provider on your behalf. With either insurance company, they may negotiate a settlement that ensures your lawsuit is not undervalued or underpaid.
How Long Does a Car Accident Claim Take to Settle?
It is difficult to assign a specific timeline to the settlement process because you, not your lawyer, will decide to accept or reject a financial settlement. The timeline for settlement negotiations may depend on how long it takes:
- To prove the at-fault driver’s liability
- For expenses and losses to become known
- For you to view an offer as acceptable
Accepting an offer that is made too soon after the accident might result in a settlement that does not consider its full financial aftermath. If that happens, you might be left with out-of-pocket expenses that you didn’t know about at the time of the accident. For this reason, a fast settlement might be less desirable than one that takes longer but offers greater compensation. Note your immediately apparent injuries and any visible damage to your car at the scene. Compiling this information might help your lawyer substantiate your right to compensation based on negligence.
Do You Have to Go to Court for a Car Accident?
If the driver whose negligence led to the accident is uninsured or if you cannot settle on an agreed-upon value of your damages, you might have to resolve your car accident lawsuit by going to court. This is an unlikely option because most car accident lawsuits are settled out of court.
The ABA details what you may expect if your lawsuit does proceed to court. Each side may request various forms of evidence and conduct interviews with witnesses and both drivers to uncover the collision’s cause. If your lawsuit is resolved with a settlement, each side may consider the same information, including the severity and cost of your injuries.
For example, the Mayo Clinic cites the treatments you may require for whiplash, an injury commonly reported in rear-end accidents. You may suffer complications from this injury for months or even years. In that case, you might be entitled to more compensation to cover your ongoing medical treatment costs.
Along with medical care, you may also recover income loss, compensation for pain and suffering, and property damage costs. Your lawyer can help assess the value of your lawsuit prior to a trial or settlement negotiation.
What Happens If the At-Fault Party doesn’t Have Car Insurance?
Per III data, about 12.6 percent of motorists were uninsured in 2019. If the at-fault party in your car accident does not have insurance, you have two primary options for monetary recovery from the financial aftermath of the accident. You may be able to sue the at-fault driver personally for the costs of the accident, your injuries, and all related expenses and losses.
If you have uninsured motorist coverage (UM) as part of your insurance package, you may be able to receive compensation from your own insurer. Provide your lawyer with a complete copy of your policy. They may be able to help you tap into this added layer of insurance protection to cover the costs of the collision.
You may also turn to your own insurance provider for coverage if you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage as part of your policy. According to III’s Insurance Basics research, it may also cover your accident expenses.
Who Can Be Sued in a Car Accident Case?
If you were injured in a car accident, you might have several options regarding whom you can sue. Based on the circumstances of the accident, you might have a personal injury lawsuit against:
- The at-fault driver or owner of a private vehicle
- The business responsible for a commercial vehicle
- A municipality if the vehicle was government-owned
Because one in eight drivers do not have insurance, according to III statistics, you may also be able to seek compensation from your own insurance company if your policy includes uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. If your policy includes underinsured (UIM) motorist protection, you might be able to seek additional coverage if the at-fault driver’s policy limit did not cover your costs.
Regardless of who you sue for compensation, you have a limited amount of time to do so. Your state will have a statute of limitations that dictates the filing deadline for a personal injury lawsuit. With sufficient notice, your lawyer might be able to ensure your lawsuit is filed in time to meet the mandatory deadline.
What Should I Do in the Days Following a Car Accident?
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident, the steps you take in the days immediately following the accident may help in your pursuit of financial compensation. You should start compiling evidence, including your medical bills, rental car receipts, crash report, and witness statements.
You may also want to contact the car accident team at a local personal injury law firm right away. A local lawyer might benefit your pursuit of financial recovery by:
- Building a supportive evidence file
- Proving the at-fault driver’s negligence
- Assigning a financial value to your lawsuit
- Compiling and submitting required claim forms
- Negotiating a favorable monetary settlement
Note that these tasks are not the only ways a lawyer can help you with your case. Remember that they are your legal advocate, and if you have any concerns about your case, you can contact them right away.
What Should I Do at the Scene of a Car Accident?
According to the III, what you should do at the scene of a car accident includes taking the following actions:
- Move your car to a safe location out of the flow of traffic
- Call the police to the accident scene immediately
- Request an ambulance for anyone who is injured
- Have your vehicle documents ready
- Take photos of your vehicle’s damage from several angles
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the at-fault driver
- Request names and contact information from witnesses
- Insist on filing a crash report to capture important details
Your crash report is a key piece of information, and your lawyer may request a copy right away. It tells the story of your accident and may point to causes and contributing factors that help substantiate your right to financial compensation.
Your financial compensation may include coverage of your healthcare expenses, salary and income loss, property damage, and pain and suffering. A car accident lawyer in your area might be able to help you define, assess, and calculate your recoverable damages.
What Can I Do to Protect My Rights After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, you can take certain steps to protect your rights, including your ability to seek financial compensation from the at-fault driver. You should also:
- Call the local police to the accident scene to generate a crash report
- Take photos of your vehicle, injuries, and the accident scene
- Contact the personal injury team at a local law firm immediately
- Collect as much information as possible to support your lawsuit
The information you collect may also include contact information for all involved parties, accident-related bills, and statements that prove your income loss and property repair costs. Your crash report may contain crucial details and information that help establish the cause of the collision and support your right to compensation. Photos may also detail the aftermath of the crash and the severity of your injuries.
Should you decide to hire a lawyer, let them do all the talking with the other party’s representatives. Their insurance company may contact you and try to twist your words to make it seem like you were not seriously injured, which could result in their denying your claim or offering you a low settlement. If they get ahold of you, direct them to your lawyer, so your lawyer can help you protect your rights after a car accident.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
When you are involved in an accident, the cost to hire a car accident lawyer is typically a contingency fee, which is a method used by many personal injury lawyers when representing clients. Rather than charging an upfront or hourly fee, your lawyer will receive a specified portion of your financial settlement after a car accident. If you are not awarded a settlement, they will not charge you.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer to represent you may allow you to focus on getting better while your lawyer fights on your behalf. Get help without adding to your post-accident financial strain. When you are ready to pursue the at-fault driver who caused your car accident and the resulting injuries, you do not have to fight alone.
How Much Should You Settle for After a Car Accident?
The monetary amount you settle for after a car accident may depend on several factors. As your lawyer will explain, the monetary value of your potential compensation package may depend on the types and amounts of damages you qualify to collect, which may include:
- Necessary medical expenses
- Income loss caused by your injuries
- Vehicle damage or total loss
- Required in-home assistance
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional strain
The lawyer who represents you may be able to help you assign a value to each of these items. Their combined total will represent the value of your compensation lawsuit and/or your potential settlement. For you to collect damages in any amount, your lawyer must prove the at-fault driver’s negligence.
That may mean proving the at-fault party violated your right to a reasonable duty of care. You do not have to prove this violation on your own. Your lawyer may prove you are entitled to compensation due to negligence with your crash report, available photos and video footage, and witness observations.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident?
According to ABA guidelines, the amount of time you have to file your lawsuit after a car accident depends on the state where your accident occurs. In Louisiana, Civil Code (CC) §3492 limits your right to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit to as little as one year. Your lawyer can help you define the statute of limitations that affects your lawsuit.
In addition to the typical timeline in your state, your filing deadline might change if any of the following circumstances apply:
- A minor was injured
- A municipal vehicle was involved
- The accident resulted in a fatality
Because the statute of limitations might be challenging to ascertain and comply with, your legal team can help you ensure understanding and compliance if they are involved in your case with sufficient notice. If you file your lawsuit on time, you may collect compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and property damage. Your lawyer can help ensure an accurate value for your lawsuit before negotiating a settlement.
Should I Go to the Hospital After a Car Accident Even If I’m Not Hurt?
Yes, you should seek immediate medical attention if you are involved in a car accident, even if you do not feel injured at the scene. This is important because a car accident may result in injuries that you may not immediately notice. Commonly reported car accident injuries that might not be readily apparent include:
- Internal injuries: According to Merck Manual research, internal injuries might not be immediately visible and may not have symptoms.
- Whiplash: Mayo Clinic research cites whiplash as a common car accident injury with symptoms that may not be apparent for several days.
Delaying treatment for car accident injuries may cause a worsening of symptoms or the injuries themselves. In addition, documentation of getting medical treatment after your car accident can be a crucial form of evidence by proving that your injuries directly resulted from the crash.
Obtain a copy of your car accident report as soon as it becomes available. It may contain notes about your physical state and mental alertness that help bolster and support your potential right to financial recovery. Your lawyer may use your crash report, medical records, and bills to substantiate your injuries, prove their costs, and establish your right to compensation.
What Are the Main Causes of Car Accidents in Louisiana?
Knowing the cause of your accident may help prove the at-fault driver’s financial liability. According to Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) research, commonly reported causes of car accidents in Louisiana include:
- Cell phone use
- Traffic delays
- Alcohol or drug use
- Road conditions
- Driving too fast for conditions
If these or any other unsafe driver behaviors led to the accident you were involved in, your lawyer might be able to prove the negligence required to substantiate your right to monetary compensation. Get a copy of your car accident report and share it with your legal team as soon as possible, since it may contain details that prove the cause of the accident.
According to Revised Statutes (RS) §32:398, a crash report is also mandatory in Louisiana if the accident resulted in injury, death, or significant vehicle damage.
How does a Car Accident Lawyer Calculate Pain and Suffering?
The financial damages that stem from a car accident typically include two types of damages. Economic damages are fixed expenses with costs easily provable with bills and receipts. Non-economic damages are unfixed and intangible, as they have a physical and psychological impact on your wellbeing.
A personal injury lawyer might be able to assign a monetary value to pain and suffering by calculating the impact on your social, professional, and personal life and the amount of pain you live with as the result of your injuries.
Per the III’s Background on: no-fault auto insurance, you may only receive pain and suffering damages if your injuries meet specific criteria. In addition to pain and suffering, damages may include your medical bills, property damage, and the income you lose when your injuries prevent you from working.
If the aftermath of a car accident left you with emotional turmoil and ongoing physical pain and suffering, a car accident lawyer in your area might be able to help you calculate their value.
Do You Always Get a Settlement from a Car Accident?
No, car accident lawsuits do not always end with a settlement. Per ABA data, though, only a small number of car accident lawsuits are not resolved with a settlement. A personal injury lawyer might be able to assist you in negotiating a settlement by:
- Proving the at-fault driver’s negligence
- Establishing the value of your lawsuit
To prove negligence, your lawyer may be required to prove duty, breach, cause, and damages, per the Legal Information Institute (LII). To demonstrate the value of your lawsuit, your lawyer may be required to prove the current and ongoing costs of your medical care, the total value of your lost income, and the cost to repair or replace your car. They may also have to prove and assign a value to your pain and suffering, inconvenience, and emotional distress.
To meet these requirements, your lawyer may ask for your car accident report, medical records, income statements, and many other accident-related documents. Comply with any requests for information immediately to help ensure your lawsuit is filed on time and not at risk of dismissal.
When Should You Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
The choice to hire a lawyer is yours. However, if you decide it is the best option for you, you should get one as soon as possible after the accident happens. Involving a lawyer in your compensation lawsuit sooner rather than later can help ensure your lawsuit is filed in time to comply with the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations determines how much time you have to file your lawsuit. If the statute expires, your ability to compel compensation might expire with it. In addition to timely filing of your personal injury lawsuit, getting a car accident lawyer right away may mean your lawyer has the time they need to:
- Locate and interview witnesses while memories are fresh
- Search for residential and commercial surveillance video
- Conduct an independent investigation
Your lawyer’s goal is to prove the at-fault driver breached their duty to provide you with ordinary care. Additional benefits of hiring a lawyer right away include their ability to deal with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider and read and review your car accident report and other relevant evidence.
How Do I Find a Good Car Accident Lawyer?
When you are injured in a car accident, you may want a lawyer to represent you. Factors you may want to consider when looking for a good car accident lawyer include:
- Recommendations from previous car accident victims, especially your friends and family
- Familiarity with your state’s personal injury laws
- Communicative and responsive to your questions
- Has a proven track record of reviews and testimonials
- Handles the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- Handles your insurance company, if necessary
The lawyer you choose may be required to prove the cause, cost, and effect of your car accident injuries, meaning they must prove the at-fault driver’s breach of your right to reasonable care. A good car accident lawyer may also ensure they accurately calculate your financial expenses and losses and file your lawsuit on time.
In addition, your lawyer can help you understand the timeline for filing an insurance claim, agreeing to a settlement offer, and receiving a final payout, per the III’s “What should I do if I’m having a difficult time settling my claim?” page.
With a car accident lawyer advocating for you, you do not have to resolve your compensation lawsuit on your own.
What Happens When You Go to Court for a Car Accident?
When you cannot resolve your car accident with a financial settlement and end up in court, you and your lawyer may be required to prove the at-fault driver’s negligence. To do so in court, your personal injury lawyer may:
- Interview both drivers
- Interview witnesses
- Conduct depositions
- Conduct discovery
Depending on the submitted evidence, your lawyer and the at-fault driver’s lawyer or insurance company representative might decide to resolve your lawsuit with an out-of-court settlement. Your evidence in court or during settlement negotiations may include:
- The car accident report
- Photos and videos
- Medical records and bills
- Witness testimony
To protect your right to go to court if you cannot reach a settlement agreement, your lawyer may define and comply with your state’s statute of limitations. This is a critical step because failure to adhere to the statutory timeline might result in having your lawsuit dismissed immediately. A personal injury lawyer might be able to ensure timely compliance and eliminate the risk of dismissal.
How Do I Get a Car Accident Report?
You may be required to prove negligence, and your car accident report may play an important part in providing that proof. You may be able to obtain a copy of your car accident report from the police station nearest to the accident scene or from your state’s highway patrol office. Be prepared to pay a nominal fee for your report and obtain a copy for your personal files and one for your legal team.
Additional III research points to the importance of filing a car accident report immediately, as it may be required by the at-fault driver’s insurer or your own to take legal action. It may also indicate any violations issued to the at-fault driver and any observations noted by witnesses and the investigating officer.
Do not overlook the importance of sharing your official crash report with the car accident lawyer who represents you in pursuing the at-fault driver. When you are ready to seek compensation by building an effective evidence file, the client support team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you. We work on contingency, so there is no need to be concerned with paying any out-of-pocket fees.
What Will My Car Accident Lawyer Look for in My Claim?
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the at-fault driver. You may also be entitled to seek that compensation on your own. When you entrust your potential lawsuit to a car accident lawyer, they might be able to assist you in proving the legally required elements of your claim, including:
- The at-fault driver’s duty to provide reasonable care
- The at-fault driver’s action that breached their duty
- Confirmation that their actions led to your injuries
- Proof of the financial cost of your injuries and related expenses
If you and your lawyer can prove these aspects of negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To establish your right to recovery and the potential monetary value of your lawsuit, your car accident lawyer may look for accident-related documents, including insurance claim forms, your crash report, and contact information for the at-fault driver. Your lawyer may also look for additional information to support your personal injury lawsuit.
What Happens If Another Car Causes You to Crash?
If you were involved in a car accident because another car caused you to crash, you may not be liable for the resulting financial damages. As such, liability for the collision may belong to the driver whose negligence caused the accident.
Accidents that involve more than one car can be particularly complex. Sorting out fault and liability, establishing proof, and fighting for monetary compensation may be a time-consuming undertaking. A personal injury lawyer familiar with the state laws can help you understand your rights and responsibilities after this type of complex accident.
The laws about contributory negligence may be of particular importance in an accident involving multiple vehicles, so your lawyer may explain how those laws might impact your potential financial recovery. Louisiana operates on the comparative fault law. According to Civil Code (CC) §2323, any compensation you may receive might be diminished by the percentage of fault attributed to you.
For example, if the court determines that you are 20% at fault, you will be awarded 80% of your total damages. A personal injury lawyer may assist you in assigning fault to the negligent driver and proving your right to compensation.
Who Is At Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident?
The fault for a multi-vehicle car accident falls to a driver, another road user, or a government entity whose negligence caused the collision. In that case, that person may bear financial responsibility for the accident and your related expenses. Your car accident expenses may include:
- Injury-related medical costs
- Injury-related income losses
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional stress and trauma
- Vehicle damage or destruction
It might be challenging to prove which driver caused the multi-car accident on your own. To figure this out, a personal injury lawyer might be able to:
- Identify the at-fault driver
- Locate and interview witnesses
- Review photos of your injuries
- Look at footage if video surveillance of the incident is available
If you are ready to identify and pursue the at-fault driver in a multi-vehicle accident, our team is committed to helping you. A personal injury lawyer might be able to ensure you receive the financial compensation you are entitled to due to the liable party’s negligence.
Who Is Liable for Car Accidents in Lafayette?
Establishing culpability is essential following a Lafayette car accident. Multiple parties could share liability for your injuries, depending on the circumstances of your case. The type of car accident you were involved in could be a good indicator of who is responsible for your injuries.
Some of the types of car accidents seen in Lafayette include:
- Sideswipe accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Accidents at intersections
- Highway accidents
- Wrong-way driving accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Single-car accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Road construction accidents
Your attorney will analyze the type of accident you were involved in to determine who may be at fault for your injuries. It is more common than you might think for several parties to share liability in car accident cases. Some of the frequently named defendants include:
- Negligent drivers
- Safety inspectors
- Auto parts manufacturers
- Auto parts distributors
- Auto dealerships
- Maintenance technicians
- Government agencies
- Municipalities
An in-depth investigation into the cause of your collision will reveal which individual or entity is responsible for your injuries. When multiple parties share liability, you can be sure that your attorney will name them all in your claim to ensure fair recovery of your damages.
Can I File a Car Accident Injury Claim for My Child?
Yes. As your child’s parent or legal guardian, when your child suffers an injury in a car accident, they still have the right to financial compensation the way an adult would. However, because they cannot advocate for themselves, it will be up to you and your attorney to ensure that your child is compensated fairly for their suffering.
What Should I Expect From the Insurance Claims Process?
The insurance claims process can be one of the most challenging aspects of your car accident claim. This is because insurance companies tend to prioritize their financial interests over the best interests of their claimants.
Louisiana follows a fault-based system for car accidents and insurance purposes. This means after your car accident, you will need to file a claim with the liable party’s insurance provider. The insurance adjuster will likely be polite and ask you to give them a statement.
However, we recommend that you refrain from speaking with the insurance company at all until you retain a legal advocate. Insurance companies are known for their unscrupulous tactics. If you hope to protect yourself from being taken advantage of during this difficult time in your life, have your attorney handle all communications with the insurance company.
Can I Sue for a Fatal Car Accident?
It is possible to file a claim for a fatal car accident. Under Louisiana wrongful death laws, specific individuals may have the authority to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the individual or entity responsible for causing their loved one’s death in a fatal car accident. If you are interested in learning more about pursuing a wrongful death claim in Lafayette, we would be happy to answer your questions.
Let Our Client Support Team Help You Fight for Financial Compensation
Our car accident team is committed to helping injury victims obtain monetary compensation to help them cope with the physical and financial aftermath of a vehicle collision. You do not have to fight for financial compensation on your own. We might be able to help you build a solid case and make sure it complies with all relevant filing deadlines.
Our client support team is focused on ensuring your financial recovery. When we represent you in your personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver, our team may be able to help you prove the at-fault driver’s liability and your right to recovery due to their negligence. From compiling evidence to interviewing witnesses to valuing your potential monetary recovery package, our team focuses on your compensation lawsuit so you can focus on getting better.
Get help pursuing the financial compensation you are entitled to due to the at-fault driver’s negligence. Contact the client advocate team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers to find out how hard the car accident lawyers on our team work to ensure the best possible outcome for our injured clients. Call us or fill out our online form to contact a personal injury team member today.