It is unfortunately common for residents of Marksville to be involved in minor car accidents or fender-benders. In these situations, car insurance coverage is often sufficient to pay for any expenses. In more serious accidents though, accident victims may need legal help to ensure they receive the compensation they need.
If you are involved in such a car accident, contact a Marksville car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Experienced attorneys are familiar with different types of accidents and could review your specific situation to give you the best advice possible. If retained, they could identify whether you might be able to collect damages against those responsible for your accident and, if so, file a civil lawsuit on your behalf to help you collect those damages.
Prescriptive Period for Car Accident Lawsuits
In Louisiana, someone who is in a car accident generally has one year in which to file a lawsuit to recover damages, according to Louisiana Civil Code §3492. This time period begins from the date of the damage or injury.
Additionally, the one-year time limit applies to legal claims for both physical injury and property damage. Due to this relatively short time frame, any individual considering filing a lawsuit as the result of a car accident should contact a Marksville car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Marksville, call (318) 777-7777
Collecting Damages in a Car Accident Lawsuit
Generally, a Marksville car accident lawyer may be able to collect the following types of damages in a civil lawsuit:
- Medical expenses and other healthcare costs
- Lost wages due to missed work
- Compensation for future inability to work
- Intangible losses such as pain and suffering
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Medical Expenses
In some instances, a car accident victim may sustain physical injuries that result in significant healthcare costs. Such injuries may include the following:
- Broken bones
- Head trauma or concussions
- Organ damage
A car accident victim may also need ongoing medical care or rehabilitation after they return home. Such medical care includes physical therapy or temporary or permanent nursing care in the case of extreme injuries. If, for example, a car accident victim suffers a broken leg and needs to pay for physical therapy sessions to regain strength in that leg, they may be able to collect compensation to cover that physical therapy.
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Lost Wages
In some cases, car accident victims are unable to return to work immediately following their accident. They may need to spend time in the hospital and additional time recuperating at home. In these cases, a car accident victim may be able to recover damages for their lost wages.
Additionally, if an individual is temporarily or permanently disabled as a result of their injuries, they may be able to collect compensation for future living expenses. A Marksville car accident attorney may be able to provide further information and assistance in claiming and collecting damages for lost wages.
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Non-Economic Damages
Finally, car accident victims in Marksville may be able to recover for non-physical damages as well. Although these types of damages cannot serve as grounds to start a lawsuit, a successful car accident case can compensate for emotional and intangible damages like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life in addition to physical damages.
Avoyelles Parish Car Accident Lawyer
Resolving an Avoyelles Parish Car Accident
Not every car accident provides grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. In order to collect damages, an attorney usually most show that another driver acted negligently. To do so, a lawyer attempts to prove that another driver owed the victim a duty of care, breached that duty, and in the process caused the victim harm.
Every injury case is different. While some claims can resolve themselves quickly, others can drag on for years. How long a case takes can depend in large part on the motivation by the responsible driver or their insurance company to settle the case. Ultimately, an auto collision case will either be worked out between the parties or go to trial.
Settlement
In many cases, the person responsible for causing an accident will acknowledge that they are at fault. However, that does not mean they will agree on the amount owed. In these types of cases, an Avoyelles Parish car accident attorney can negotiate with the insurance company or their attorneys to reach an agreement.
A settlement can come at any time. While some cases may settle in short order, other cases only wrap up on the eve of trial. In either case, an injured person likely stands the best chance of receiving a fair offer by hiring an experienced Avoyelles Parish car wreck attorney.
Trial
If an injury claim does not settle, it may go to trial. At trial, the injured person has an opportunity to plead their case before a jury of their peers. If the jury sides with the injured person, they will be awarded a monetary judgment in an amount decided by the jury. If they rule in favor of the defendant, however, the injured person will get nothing.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Negotiating with an insurance company by yourself can be challenging. While most injured drivers are not familiar with the process, insurance adjusters spend their days haggling over the value of these claims. This puts the injured driver at a serious disadvantage. An experienced auto crash attorney in Avoyelles Parish could provide a victim with helpful guidance throughout the negotiation process.
One of the common tactics used by insurance companies is to quickly make a low offer. The initial offer is often just enough to cover the direct costs related to an accident, like emergency room visits or rental car expenses. These payments rarely provide enough to cover an injured driver’s long-term medical costs. In fact, it is often the goal of the insurance company to secure a settlement before a driver even knows the full extent of their injuries. It is the job of an Avoyelles Parish car accident attorney to maximize compensation on the victim’s behalf.
A Marksville Car Accident Attorney Could Help Recover Damages
If you were in a car accident and suffered injuries or property damage, you may have many questions about your legal options. You could be wondering if you can recover compensation for your injuries or the damage to your car. You might also be unsure of how best to pursue a claim and what the legal process looks like.
A dedicated Marksville car accident lawyer could help you with these questions by giving you the information and resources you need to decide whether to file a claim. If you decide a lawsuit is right for you, an attorney could represent your interests and work with you to protect your rights. For assistance with any legal issues arising from your car accident, do not delay. Call our dedicated attorneys today.
Call or text (318) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
