Have you recently lost a loved one in a fatal car accident in Lafayette? If so, you may face this loss with even more financial damage caused by a negligent driver’s actions. An attorney can assist you in holding the negligent driver responsible. Talking with a Lafayette fatal car accident attorney may help.
It can be jarring to lose a loved one, and financial damage can worsen your family’s suffering. It’s possible your household lost its primary breadwinner, and without their financial support, you may not know what to do next or how to continue. Getting answers to those next steps is where a consult with a fatal car accident attorney can be helpful. Speak with a car accident lawyer in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Families Can Recover Damages in Lafayette
Families like yours can recover damages from a fatal car accident claim which could be worth a significant amount. In Louisiana, you can file for two types of damages. One type is special damages; the state refers to special damages as your financial losses. General damages include any intangible or emotional upset.
Special Damages
- Ambulance charges
- Physician fees
- Medical bills
- Funeral expenses
- Lost wages from your loved one
- Cost to cover provided benefits
- Lost services to home
General Damages
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Mental anguish
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.
ClientWho Can File a Fatal Car Accident in Lafayette?
Louisiana Civil Code 2315.1 defines who may file a fatal car accident claim. You could file a claim if your loved one died due to a driver’s actions. Your family has the right to collect compensation to cover financial losses; however, the court decides who can file and how the funds will be disbursed. Here are relatives in the order you are permitted to file for compensation:
- Spouse, then children
- Surviving parents
- If no spouse, children, or parents, then siblings
- If any of the above has not survived, then the grandparents
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 | ClientWe Benefit Your Family by Collecting Damages
Attorneys can benefit families of accident victims by helping negotiate your settlement with large insurance companies. Our team of representatives has excellent negotiating skills, and we can use these skills to fight to compensate you for your family’s tremendous loss. We will manage your fatal car accident claim from start to settlement. You can speak with a Lafayette personal injury lawyer to help you pursue compensation.
Tasks We Manage
- Gather evidence
- Locate medical records
- Record eyewitness testimonies
- Request police reports
- Determine your financial losses
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Request cell phone data
- Negotiate a complete settlement
- Fight for your civil rights in a court of law
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientProving Negligence Is Key to Winning Claims
Your attorney will consider what type of negligent or careless behavior led to the accident. When you file your fatal car accident claim, proving negligence helps to demonstrate liability. Louisiana Civil Code § 2315 states, “Every act whatever of man that causes damage to another obliges him by whose fault it happened to repair it.
Your attorney will work to prove four factors to prove your fatal car accident claim involving wrongful death.
- The other driver owed a duty of care to your loved one and others on the road
- The other driver breached their duty
- The breach or negligent action contributed to the cause of the accident
- Your family had a demonstratable loss
If you believe negligence or other careless behaviors were the cause of your loved one’s accident, a car accident death lawyer can help you prove it. Your attorney will gather the evidence necessary to prove that negligent actions initially caused the accident. Your attorney can request the supporting information you need to verify the claim, including accessing cellphone data, nearby surveillance footage, and eyewitness statements to the police.
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.
ClientRead Reviews When Choosing an Attorney
Our firm has assisted many in the Lafayette, Louisiana, area, and we represent many injured victims in your area. Our clients leave great reviews because we fight to help them win compensation. We are grateful for the many reviews and comments left, inspiring us to continue fighting for victims like you.
“When I went to speak to him, and I started telling him about what happened and everything, he sounded like he was an honest and trustworthy person. So, after I got to know him a little better, well, I knew he was the guy. I was all the way in New Orleans, and I didn’t have no job, no nothing. And all that time I lived out there, he was a real, real gentleman, and he helped me out real good. I don’t know what I would do without him.” – Harry Duracell
Justice Can Be Affordable for All Lafayette Families
Finances can be a significant family issue after a loss. We understand that your world is upside down. You may have many financial worries, including how to pay for the funeral expenses. As your representative, we can assist you and your family going forward.
When our firm accepts an accident claim, we offer clients a contingency agreement. There are no costs to get started. We will settle your claim and defend you in court. If we don’t win, you will not owe any legal fees. We ask for a predetermined percentage of your compensation if we get you a solution.
Causes of Fatal Car Accidents
Your attorney will investigate the cause of your loved one’s accident and prove how negligence played a part. Here are some of the commonly seen causes of fatal car accidents.
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Poor road conditions
- Not obeying traffic signs
- Driving under the influence
- Poor visibility
There are many other possible causes and we will work tirelessly to find out the full details behind the accident. Distraction is a common cause of deadly accidents. Any driver can experience distraction, including those working for rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft. A Lyft accident attorney in Lafayette can help you understand your family’s options in this situation.
Time Limits Apply for Families in Louisiana
The statute of limitations laid out in Louisiana Civil Code § 3492 is how long you will have to file a suit. In this case, the statute of limitation is one year from the time of your loved one’s death.
If you do not file within a year, you may lose your chance for justice. When you have a car accident wrongful death lawyer from Laborde Earles on your side, we will make sure all deadlines are met. We will handle the legal system so you can focus on your family.
Connecting With a Fatal Car Accident Lawyer in Lafayette, LA
It can help your family to recover losses from this fatal car accident. There is no amount of value that can replace a human. Yet, you made plans for your future and your family. Your loved one would ask that you continue your journey.
When you are ready, contact us at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. Our team will listen to your family’s needs and then help you understand how to collect compensation. We will work hard to assist you and get you the compensation owed to your family. Call us today.
