Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous reasons for a car accident. It’s as bad as drunk driving for causing poor judgment and reaction times. Yet it is distressingly common and kills many people every year, including in Lafayette.
If you suffered serious injuries or lost a loved one due to a distracted driver, reach out to a Lafayette car accident lawyer to discuss your situation and see if you have a case.
The changes such an accident brings to your life are unfair, but you do not have to bear this burden alone. A Lafayette distracted driving accident lawyer can help you take legal action.
Distracted Driving Is Dangerous and Deadly
In the few seconds one’s eyes, hands, or mind divert from the task of driving, distracted drivers place those around them at risk for serious injury. It’s a type of reckless driving. The injuries you experienced due to a distracted driver may require a long recovery or result in a permanent disability.
Driver distraction is most commonly related to the use of cell phones—specifically, sending and receiving texts. Yet this isn’t the only kind of distracted driving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists three main types of driver distraction:
- Visual: takes your eyes off the road
- Manual: takes your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive: takes your mind off driving
Your injuries can prevent you from returning to work and leave you unable to pay any medical expenses, all due to no fault of your own. A Lafayette personal injury lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim for what you’ve suffered after a reckless driver hit you.
When You Lose Your Loved One Due to a Distracted Driver
Losing a loved one in a car accident is a heart-wrenching experience. It’s even more devastating when the cause is distracted driving, a completely preventable reason. When distractions lead to the loss of life, it is important to seek justice and hold the responsible party accountable.
Distracted driving can easily lead to situations like head-on collisions that can end the life of a loved one. If you have lost a loved one in a distracted driving accident, it is important to consult us about how to sue the at-fault driver.
We understand the complexities of these cases and can help you navigate the legal process to seek maximum compensation for your losses. You can seek compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, lost potential income, and pain and suffering. We will work tirelessly to ensure you receive justice.
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 Should I Do After a Distracted Driving Accident?
First and foremost, seek medical attention if you have been injured in the accident. Your health and well-being should always be your priority after a car accident. Even if you do not feel immediate pain or symptoms, see a doctor, as some injuries may not be apparent.
Next, gather as much evidence from the accident scene as possible. This can include taking photos of the vehicles involved, collecting witness statements, and obtaining a copy of the police report. This evidence will be crucial in building a strong compensation case.
Contacting Laborde Earles for a free consultation should be your next step. We help accident victims like you manage the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and work to ensure they receive fair financial compensation for their injuries and damages.
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 | ClientHow Can a Lafayette Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Help Me?
If you were in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, it is crucial to seek the help of a lawyer. Our legal professionals have experience handling cases involving accidents caused by drivers who were not paying attention to the road.
Here are ways our distracted driving accident attorneys can assist you:
- Investigate the accident: We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your wreck to determine who was at fault. We’ll gather evidence, such as witness statements, police reports, cell phone records, and medical records, to find the at-fault parties and construct your case.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming, especially when you are trying to recover from your injuries. We will handle all communication with the insurance companies and negotiate a settlement on your behalf.
- Represent you in court: If we cannot reach a fair settlement, Laborde Earles will represent you in court and fight for your rights.
- Provide guidance and support: Your distracted driving accident attorney will also provide you with legal advice and answer questions about the legal process. We explain your rights, help you understand your options, and answer any questions you may have along the way.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientWhat Damages Could I Seek After a Distracted Driving Accident?
After being involved in a distracted driving accident, you may wonder what damages you can seek to compensate for your losses. In such cases, it is highly recommended that you seek the assistance of a lawyer who can guide you through the legal process.
Common recoverable damages that can be sought after a distracted driving accident include:
- Medical expenses: This includes medical bills for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any other medical treatments related to your crash.
- Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working or require you to take time off work, you can recover the wages you have lost.
- Non-economic damages: You may be entitled to compensation for the physical pain, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life you’ve experienced after the crash.
- Property damage: If your vehicle or goods were damaged in the accident, you can seek property damage compensation to repair or replace it.
- Wrongful death: Wrongful death damages cover special costs related to the loss of a loved one after a fatal accident. These include funeral expenses and loss of companionship.
No amount of compensation can return your life to the way it was before the accident, and it can never replace a loved one. Possible compensation can, however, help to ease the financial burden that you experience during this most challenging time.
It is important to consult with our personal injury attorneys to determine your legal options for seeking fair compensation in your case. They will review all aspects of your situation and help you understand how you can move on after suffering from someone else’s negligent behavior.
How Much Is My Distracted Driving Accident Claim Worth?
The value of your distracted driving accident claim can vary depending on several factors, such as the extent of your injuries, the cost of medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Consult with our experienced attorneys to get an accurate estimate of your auto accident claim’s worth. We’ll pursue every avenue of compensation so you can get the most money from your accident.
Could I Get Punitive Damages?
Punitive damages are a type of compensation that goes beyond reimbursement for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
They are meant to punish the at-fault party for their reckless behavior and serve as a deterrent to prevent similar actions in the future. To be awarded punitive damages in a distracted driving accident case, you must be able to prove that the liable party acted with intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
The distracted driver must know their actions were likely to cause harm but chose to do them anyway. If we believe this is the case, we can ask the court to award these damages.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientLouisiana’s Distracted Driving Laws
Distracted driving in Louisiana is defined as any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the task of driving. Phone use is the most well-known, but drivers can be distracted by eating while driving, changing the radio dial, or even talking to passengers in the vehicle.
All drivers in Louisiana are forbidden from sending or reading text-based communication or using social media while driving. They also cannot take phone calls in a school zone during school hours. One exception to the rules is using GPS while driving.
Liability and the Statute of Limitations
We will file your case on time to ensure you do not miss the deadline for pursuing compensation under the Louisiana Statute of Limitations. Louisiana law only allows two years for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.
If your case isn’t started with the court by this deadline, you cannot claim compensation. So it is vital to reach out to our firm as soon as you can. That gives us the most time to build your case. Insurance companies may try to delay your case so they don’t have to pay you, but we can force them to comply.
Twelve months is not much time for pursuing a civil lawsuit. Get started on your journey toward possible justice and compensation by calling our auto accident attorneys today for a free case evaluation before the statute of limitations runs out.
Let Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Help You After an Accident
Driving a motor vehicle requires a person’s full focus, hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and mind on driving. The moment a Lafayette distracted driver caused an accident, your life changed forever. We are ready to take on insurance adjusters and opposing lawyers on behalf of accident victims like you.
No one should pay for expenses caused by distracted drivers. Take legal action now by contacting our Lafayette distracted driving accident attorneys by calling the number on your screen or contacting us through our website.
