Were you injured in a head-on collision in Lake Charles, Louisiana? You do not have to fight for compensation by yourself. A Lake Charles head-on collisions lawyer may be able to represent you throughout your lawsuit, even in court if necessary. Contact the office of Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 to schedule a free case assessment.
Car Accidents in Louisiana
The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission conducted a study comparing traffic accident statistics from 2005 and 2019 and found that collision rates have remained roughly the same. However, the number of fatalities and serious injuries has decreased. This may be because of new regulations that require auto manufacturers to include increased safety equipment in every car.
This is great news overall, but it does not mean serious accidents have stopped entirely. The force and impact associated with head-on collisions can make them especially devastating. The consequences of your accident may include:
- Serious damage to your vehicle
- Injuries ranging from minor to life-changing
- Exorbitant medical bills
- Lasting psychological damage
- The death of a loved one
If you have suffered such injuries, you may be entitled to damages. Damages are money paid by the liable party’s insurance company to help you cover crash-related expenses, support your family, and compensate you for the many ways in which the accident has affected your life. The rest of this article will explain damages in more detail and offer advice on how you may pursue them.
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Qualifying for Compensation
Car accidents can be very expensive. In 2019, the average auto insurance claim for bodily injury was $18,417, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). This is in addition to claims for property damage (i.e., damage to your car).
Depending on how much insurance you have and how serious your accident is, insurance alone may not cover all of your expenses and losses. If you would like to sue the liable party to recoup those losses, you must first understand the kinds of compensation available.
The first kind of compensation is economic damages. This refers to the money you lost or had to spend because of the accident and/or your injuries, such as:
- Loss of wages: you could not go to work because of the accident or your injuries.
- Loss of employment: your injuries make it impossible for you to return to your old job, or your employer let you go because of your injuries.
- Medical costs: this may include any treatments you needed to manage your injuries, like medication, rehabilitation, surgery, and so on.
- Funeral costs: if you lost a loved one in the accident, you can sue to recoup the money you spent laying them to rest.
By contrast, noneconomic damages refer to the physical and psychological consequences of the accident and/or your injuries, such as:
- Disability: you will never be as physically or intellectually capable as before the accident.
- Scarring or disfigurement: your injuries have left you with noticeable scarring.
- Pain and suffering: the accident caused or worsened your mental illness, or your injuries were physically and/or emotionally distressing.
- Loss of companionship: if you lost a loved one in the accident, you have been unfairly and prematurely deprived of their company.
Whether you are ready to start your lawsuit immediately or still have questions that you want to be answered, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers may be able to help. Give us a call at (337) 777-7777 to schedule a free, no-obligation case review. If you have a case, we will tell you how a Lake Charles head-on collisions lawyer may be able to help you.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
The Legal Process
Lawsuits are not easy to manage, especially if you have no legal experience and/or are still trying to recuperate after a car accident. You may be tempted to give up on pursuing compensation so that you can focus on putting your life back together. Fortunately, there is a way you can file a lawsuit without shouldering the burden yourself.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers would be happy to take charge of your case. While you concentrate on rebuilding your life, we may tackle the hard jobs, such as:
- Conducting an investigation: you need evidence that supports your story and your claims. We will seek that evidence from multiple sources, including medical records and surveillance video.
- Determining damages: it is very important that the damages you ask for accurately reflect your injuries. Your lawyer can help you take the guesswork out of how much compensation you should ask for.
- Being a middleman: if you wish to communicate a message to the liable party, we will deliver it. You do not have to speak directly to the liable party or their representatives.
- Negotiating: in addition, you do not have to meet face-to-face with the insurance company. Your lawyer will represent you at all negotiations and fight vigorously for every dollar you deserve.
- Going to court: what if negotiations do not work? Your lawyer can continue the fight in the courtroom. We may schedule a trial date, submit documentary evidence, question witnesses, and more.
- Updating you: we never leave our clients in the dark. You can expect regular updates from us about the progress and developments in your case. We are also happy to address any questions you have about your case or the legal process.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we know that no amount of money can fully make up for everything you have lost. That said, compensation is certainly not worthless; it can save you from worrying about how you will support your family or pay for necessary medical care. To find out if a Lake Charles head-on collisions lawyer can be of assistance in your lawsuit, call us at (337) 777-7777.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
