At Laborde Earles, our Lafayette car accident lawyers have been fighting for the rights of Louisiana accident victims since 2014. Our team of attorneys has over 250 years of combined experience helping Louisiana citizens in their time of need. Since opening our firm, we have collected over $200 million in damages for our clients. Call us today for a free consultation.
How Can a Lafayette T-Bone Car Accident Lawyer Help You?
A personal injury lawyer in Lafayette, LA, can help you by handling all the aspects of your case that would wear you down and interfere with your recovery. We will represent you directly in dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance adjusters. Insurance companies have teams of defense attorneys at their disposal. We can help you stand up to them.
We have handled enough cases to know what a reasonable settlement offer is, and we can take the lead in negotiations for you. That’s why, in addition to handling negotiations, we employ a thorough evidence-gathering process to establish liability in your case.
If we must go to trial, your T-bone accident lawyer in Lafayette, LA, will proactively handle trial preparation and strategy. We will also make sure that your case-related paperwork is handled accurately and in a timely fashion.
We will also keep you updated all the time so that you always know what is happening with your case. Our team will be there for you to answer any questions you have and help you understand the process.
How Lafayette T-Bone Accident Lawyers Gather Evidence
Many insurers will deny liability as a stall tactic in T-bone accidents, even when they know their client was in the wrong. However, we know proving negligence is the key to giving us the legal right to demand damages in your case.
Some of the steps we take to build cases may include:
- Interviewing witnesses
- Reviewing the police report
- Visiting the accident scene and surveying the damage
- Looking for other evidence, such as video camera surveillance
- Serving subpoenas to law enforcement or other witnesses to testify
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts
We use a wide range of evidence to tell your story the right way. Our legal team aims to strengthen your case and establish a clear basis for seeking compensation. We will help your voice be heard during the legal proceedings.
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.
ClientDo You Need a Lawyer to Represent You in a T-Bone Accident Case?
Deciding whether to hire a personal injury lawyer after a T-bone accident in Lafayette is a decision only you can make. With that said, there are some things to consider before you make that decision. Here at Laborde Earles, our motto is “On Your Side,” and we take it very seriously.
We will put the full balance of our legal experience and resources behind you in the pursuit of fair compensation. Without a T-bone car accident attorney in Lafayette fighting for your interests, it’s you by yourself against an entire insurance company. Does that sound like a fair fight?
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 | ClientWhat Are the Damages in a T-Bone Car Accident in Lafayette?
T-bone collisions have the potential to cause unimaginable destruction to life and property, which means the damage they cause can be catastrophic to accident victims. Louisiana splits accident damages into two separate categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are reimbursement for all the financial costs you absorb because of the accident. These refer to the quantifiable financial losses incurred by the parties involved.
Examples of economic damages include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Cost of vehicle repairs (if the car is repairable)
- Fair market replacement value of your car (if it’s declared a total loss because repair costs exceed its current value)
- Cost of towing or vehicle transportation from the accident scene
A car accident lawyer from our team will calculate your economic damages by assessing your financial losses after the collision. We will gather and analyze documentation to establish how much money you spent so far and how much more you are likely to spend.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are designed to compensate you for losses and harm you suffered that may not have been financial but still impacted your life, nonetheless. Unlike economic damages, which have clear monetary values, these damages require a nuanced evaluation of your personal experience.
Examples of non-economic damages in a T-bone accident may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
What makes non-economic damages so hard to prove is that they refer to subjective experiences. However, a skilled attorney employs a range of strategies to establish the validity and significance of these intangible losses. They may use medical records, psychiatric evaluations, and expert testimony to demonstrate the accident’s psychological and emotional toll on you.
Punitive Damages
In Louisiana, punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, may be awarded in a car accident case if the at-fault party’s conduct is found to be particularly egregious or grossly negligent. Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to reimburse the victim for actual losses, punitive damages punish the responsible party and deter similar misconduct in the future.
Louisiana law places certain restrictions on punitive damages, requiring clear and convincing evidence of willful or wanton misconduct. The severity of the wrongful conduct typically determines the amount awarded.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientHow Much Is Your T-Bone Accident Case Worth?
The total value of your T-bone accident case is the sum of your economic and non-economic damages. Since T-bone car accidents are notorious for the damage they produce, the total compensation to accident victims can be quite high. However, individual factors unique to your T-bone accident will go into determining its total value.
First, there are no two T-bone accident cases with identical damages. Medical bills, lost wages, and other economic losses can vary significantly from case to case. Generally, cases with higher medical bills and property damage mean more severe injuries for accident victims. That could also lead to higher non-economic damages because the accident-related pain and suffering or mental anguish is usually related to the severity of your injuries.
Once we have some basic information, we should be in a better position to advise you on the total damages in your case.
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.
ClientHow Do You Increase the Value of Your Claim?
To increase the value of your T-bone car accident claim, gather thorough evidence that clearly demonstrates the extent of your damages and the other party’s liability. Begin by documenting the scene by taking photographs, obtaining witness statements, and filing a police report.
Seek immediate medical attention, keeping detailed records of all medical treatments and expenses. Consult with healthcare professionals who can assess and document the long-term impact of your injuries. Retain all receipts related to out-of-pocket expenses, such as medication costs or transportation to medical appointments.
Engage the services of a skilled personal injury attorney who can navigate the legal complexities and build a compelling case on your behalf. By presenting a well-documented claim, you increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits
The statute of limitations establishes a timeframe for filing a legal claim against a defendant after sustaining injuries. In Louisiana, the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is one year from the date of the incident.
Therefore, if you have suffered harm due to another party’s negligence or intentional actions, you must initiate legal proceedings within this one-year window to preserve your right to seek compensation.
While there are exceptions to this rule, adhering to the statutory time limit is crucial. Failing to file a lawsuit within the prescribed timeframe may result in losing your right to pursue legal action and seek financial recovery.
Hire a Lafayette T-Bone Accident Lawyer for No Upfront Fees
Being hurt in a T-bone accident is often one of the most traumatic events of our clients’ lives. Here at Laborde Earles, our Lafayette personal injury lawyers are proud to represent any accident victim who is suffering the consequences of someone else’s negligence.
If you’re fighting through the aftermath of a T-bone car accident, we want you to know you don’t have to fight the battle alone. We understand, and we’re here for you.
A T-bone accident attorney in Lafayette, LA, from our firm will even take your case for no money out of pocket. We’ll fight your case from start to finish, and you won’t owe us a fee unless we win your case. You don’t have to fight an insurance company alone. Laborde Earles has your back. Contact us today and find out how we can help.