A serious car accident can have far-reaching consequences. In addition to the initial pain and emotional trauma, the costs of medical bills and lost income can add up quickly. If you were injured by a negligent driver in the state of Louisiana, you may be entitled to compensation for these expenses and other damages.
Depending on the facts of your case, the at-fault driver may be liable for:
- Damage to your property;
- Past and future healthcare bills;
- Lost income while you recover;
- Loss of future earning capacity;
- Loss of consortium;
- Mental anguish; and
- Pain and suffering.
If you were injured by a drunk driver, you also may be able to claim punitive damages. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are not intended to compensate the plaintiff; rather, their purpose is to punish the defendant for particularly egregious behavior.
If you were hurt in a car accident in Lafayette, contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. A Lafayette car accident attorney will evaluate your case, interview witnesses, assess the police report and doctors’ records, and help you fight for the highest possible payout.
Statute of Limitations for in Louisiana
Pursuant to La. Civ. Code Ann. Art. 3492, the statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits is one year, which means that if you were injured by a negligent driver, you must take legal action within one year from the date when the injury occurred, or from the date when the injury should have been reasonably discovered.
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.
ClientImportant Evidence
If the at-fault driver or insurance company disputes your claim, you or your car accident lawyer will have to present clear evidence to prove negligence, liability, and damages. Depending on the facts of your case, your lawyer may use the following evidence to support your claim:
- Photographs of the crash scene, property damage, and injuries;
- The police report;
- Doctors’ records;
- Pay stubs and other proof of lost income;
- Eyewitness testimonies;
- Testimonies from medical and financial experts; and
- Testimonies from accident reconstruction experts.
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 | ClientCommon Mistakes in Lafayette
Your statements and actions at the scene of a car accident and during the weeks and months that follow will have a profound impact on your case. You can put yourself in a favorable position to make a claim by avoiding the following mistakes:
- Putting off your medical evaluation;
- Missing doctors’ appointments;
- Not taking your recovery seriously;
- Posting sensitive information about your case on social media;
- Making recorded statements to insurance adjusters; or
- Accepting a settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientContact Our Experienced Lafayette Car Accident Lawyers
A Lafayette car accident lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you avoid these mistakes and pursue the highest possible compensation. Our attorneys have more than 350 years of combined experience practicing personal injury law. Call the Lafayette personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Laborde Earles for a free consultation.
