If you or a loved one was recently in a vehicle accident on one of Lafayette’s interstate highways, you may qualify to demand compensation for any injuries you suffered in the accident.
A Lafayette interstate accident lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can review your case and identify which party or parties may be held liable for your damages, then represent you against them. Our Lafayette personal injury lawyers offer the first consultation for free to discuss your legal options.
Lafayette’s two main interstate highways, I-10 and I-49, both contain high crash numbers in Louisiana. According to recent statistics by Louisiana State University’s (LSU) Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS), Lafayette’s state highways had over 4,000 crash accidents occur, with 15 resulting in fatalities.
Lafayette’s Interstate Highways Cause Major Accidents Each Year
In January 2023, Louisiana’s Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced its plans to begin repairs on the I-10 eastbound overpass at I-49 in late January. The project is a response to a major bridge accident that damaged multiple girders and bridge decks on the overpass. The DOTD aims to reduce traffic collisions on both interstate highways, which would hopefully increase roadway safety for drivers in Louisiana.
If you or a loved one got into an accident on the I-10 eastbound overpass at I-49, our legal team wants to hear about your case. We can identify whether another driver, the local municipality, or another party may be held liable for your damages, then begin collecting evidence to support your claims.
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.
ClientYou May Qualify to Receive Compensation for Damages You Suffered in an Interstate Accident
Accident cases, settlements, and verdicts do not award flat-rate compensation totals. Rather, each plaintiff must present their case on why they are pursuing compensation, which usually involves listing their damages and how their estimated value.
Some damages may already have financial value, such as economic damages, while others need to be assigned monetary value if the plaintiff wants to claim them, such as non-economic damages. The following explains the difference between these types of damages.
Economic Damages
As mentioned, economic damages already have monetary value in that these damages can be proven with financial documents, such as receipts, invoices, paychecks, and tax forms related to the plaintiff’s recent annual salary. Economic damages must relate to your accident or injuries. They may include:
- Medical treatment costs for your injuries, including future expenses if you still require treatment
- Property damage costs, such as fixing or replacing your vehicle
- The income you lost during your accident recovery
- The income you can expect to lose if you are still recovering from your injuries or lost your job during your recovery
- Reduced earning potential if your injuries force you into a lower-paying position because you can no longer perform previous work tasks
- Domestic care costs you now have to pay for because of your injuries, such as childcare, homecare, and caretaking services
- Funeral expenses if you lost a loved one in an accident
There may be other expenses you have to cover to meet the demands of your lifestyle that aren’t listed here. Our legal team will listen to how your accident affected you, then request any evidence you have to prove these values.
Non-Economic Damages
Our legal team will also factor in your non-economic losses, which include your physical, emotional, and mental damages. While these damages are subjective, personal injury law allows plaintiffs to claim these losses to showcase the impact their accident injuries had on their lives. As such, you may be able to claim the following:
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
- Emotional distress
- Psychological trauma and its consequences, such as developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of the accident
- Permanent disability, including loss of vision, hearing, or bodily function
- Physical disfigurement, including burn marks, scarring, or amputation
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium if you lost a loved one in an accident
These are general forms of non-economic damages, so your damages may be more specific when discussing how your injuries affected you.
Truck collisions can lead to expensive property damage and severe injuries. Our Lafayette truck accident lawyers will calculate all your expenses and estimate your future expenses to help you fully recover.
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 | ClientOur Legal Team Can Represent You in a Lafayette Interstate Accident Case
If you decide to work with a Lafayette interstate accident lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we will:
- Investigate your accident, which mainly involves reviewing a copy of the official crash report, interviewing witnesses or parties that may have surveillance footage of the accident, and consulting expert witnesses to provide testimony for your case
- Retrieve other evidence for your case, such as photographs of the accident scene and medical records
- Communicate with all involved parties, such as insurance companies and defense attorneys, on your behalf to protect your case while it is ongoing
- Organize efforts to fill out, complete, and submit legal paperwork for your case
- Meet with the defending party’s legal team to negotiate a potential settlement for your case
- Prepare your case argument for trial if necessary
- Provide legal counsel, which may involve explaining legal decisions presented to you
If you have additional questions about our legal services, one of our team members can speak with you in a free consultation by phone.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientLouisiana Only Gives a One-Year Window to File for an Interstate Accident, So Act Fast
Louisiana’s statute of limitations allows victims one year to file personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, per CC Art. 3492 and CC Art. 2315.2, respectively.
One year is not a lot of time to investigate an accident, retrieve evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies for a potential settlement, so you do not want to hesitate to file your case while you still have the opportunity.
The sooner you contact a personal injury attorney or wrongful death lawyer in Lafayette from our team, the more time we’ll have to strengthen your claim. Also, in time, valuable evidence can get damaged or lost.
What Happens if You Miss Your Case’s Legal Deadline?
Filing a lawsuit can serve as leverage during negotiations with insurance adjusters who want to avoid going to court. Our lawyers will be prepared to fight for your case no matter which direction it goes, but we can only do so if your case remains valid in court. Once you miss the statutory deadline, a judge can dismiss your lawsuit, which would absolve the defending party of liability. If that happens, you could lose your opportunity to pursue compensation.
If you work with our team, we will make sure to take appropriate steps to ensure your case remains valid within Louisiana’s civil court system.
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.
ClientCall Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today to Get a Free Consultation About Your Lafayette Interstate Accident
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a vehicle accident on one of Lafayette’s interstate highways, you may have an opportunity to file a personal injury lawsuit and demand compensation from a liable party. A Lafayette interstate accident lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can organize your case against the at-fault driver or a related party, then represent you throughout the litigation process.
Our team works hard when advocating for our client’s financial recovery. To learn more about what we can do for your accident injury case, feel free to call our firm, and we’ll review your case for free. One of our team members will explain your legal options, then set up your case file once you agree to work with us. Start your legal journey today.
