When you get into a car accident, you could sustain catastrophic injuries that cost a significant amount. But a New Iberia, LA, car accident lawyer from our personal injury law firm can help you pursue financial recovery through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
After an accident or losing a loved one, life can be difficult, but we can take care of the claims process and help you get the compensation you need. Getting started quickly can ensure our team has time to build your case while complying with the applicable deadlines.
Types of Auto Crash Cases We Handle
There are several crash types in which you could suffer injuries. Our lawyers can help you recover compensation if you’ve suffered injuries in any of the following:
Drunk driving: Driving under the influence is a major issue; it can cause serious injury or death to the driver and passengers in both vehicles. One of the most dangerous aspects of drunk driving is that it impairs a person’s ability to make sound judgments and react quickly to road hazards.
Rear-end: This type of crash occurs when one vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle. Rear-end crashes are often a result of distracted driving, following too closely, or braking suddenly.
Hit and run: When a driver causes an accident and leaves the scene without stopping to exchange information or help, it is considered a criminal offense and is known as a hit and run. These accidents can be particularly devastating for the victim, as they may be left with significant injuries and no means of holding the responsible party accountable.
Texting and driving: Using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle can lead to a dangerous accident. Staying focused and aware on the road to prevent such incidents is essential. Texting while driving can divert a driver’s attention from the task of driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fatal automobile accident: When a vehicle collision results in death, it can be devastating for the loved ones left behind. In such cases, it is important to understand the legal options for seeking compensation for the loss of a family member in a fatal car accident.
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving New Iberia, call (337)-547-2777
Deadlines for Filing a Lawsuit in Iberia Parish
Remember, Louisiana’s statute of limitations for filing a civil action does not allow much time to prepare a personal injury case. According to CC Art. 3492, you only have one year from your accident to file an accident claim.
The wrongful death statute of limitations allows you to pursue damages one year from your loved one’s death. Our car accident lawyer in Iberia Parish can help you adhere to these deadlines to ensure you file your lawsuit on time.
The sooner you file your claim, the greater your chance to receive fair compensation.
New Iberia Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (337)-547-2777
What To Do After an Iberia Parish Auto Accident
Our car accident attorneys in New Iberia understand how stressful the aftermath of a car collision can be. But it’s important to remember what you do after the crash can impact your case significantly. After your car crash, you should:
- Get medical attention: Even seemingly minor injuries can be more serious than you think. A doctor can evaluate your injuries and provide medical records that we can use as evidence.
- Contact the police and complete a crash report: An accident report usually contains observations of the responding officer, which can help detail the responsible party’s actions after the collision.
- Get the other driver’s contact information: When you have the other driver’s contact information, you can talk to them and find out what insurance company covers them.
- Gather evidence at the crash scene: if you are not too injured, this can include photos or videos of your vehicle’s damage and accident injuries.
- Politely decline to speak to insurers: A car wreck lawyer from our firm can handle insurance companies to help you reach a fair settlement.
- Keep a daily journal about your experience after the accident: This can include information about your physical or mental state. Your car crash lawyer can use this information to prove that you deserve compensation.
Doing these things will help us build a stronger case in which you can recover a higher settlement. We can help you build a case to get the compensation you need.
Click to contact our New Iberia Personal Injury Lawyers today
Proving the Four Elements of Negligence in Your New Iberia Car Accident Case
When determining who is responsible for your auto accident, our car accident attorney in New Iberia will need to collect information establishing four negligence elements in your case. We can build a strong case against the at-fault party by proving these elements.
These four elements are:
- Duty of care: Anybody with a valid driver’s license who gets behind the wheel assumes a standard of care to travel safely and avoid harming others.
- Breach of duty of care: A motorist violates their duty of care by engaging in reckless or otherwise dangerous behavior. For example, speeding, operating a vehicle while under the influence, and similar actions can cause a collision.
- Causation: We must prove the other driver’s actions led to your auto accident.
- Damages: This element demonstrates that, as a result of your otherwise avoidable collision, you suffered injuries and other damages. In a wrongful death case, this means connecting your loved one’s fatal injuries to the collision.
When you meet with us in our New Iberia office, we’ll examine the details of your car crash and tell you if the parties involved qualify as negligent. If they do, we’ll fight for you to receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Driving Behaviors That May Qualify as Negligence
If another party caused your accident and resulting injuries, they might have committed an act of negligence. The Insurance Information Institute (III) cites data showing that most collisions occur due to driver error.
One of the primary causes of car crashes today is distracted driving. Some examples of distracted driving include:
- Texting
- Monitoring or posting to social media
- Accepting rideshare offers
- Making a phone call
- Adjusting the car’s entertainment system
- Eating food
- Drinking a beverage
- Restraining an animal
- Addressing other passengers
If distracted driving played a role in your accident, our legal team could take the necessary steps to investigate its cause.
By examining the police report, interviewing eyewitnesses, and reviewing available traffic surveillance footage, we can pinpoint the behavior that led to your crash. When you choose a car accident lawyer from our law firm, we’ll take every measure to investigate and prove the negligent party’s fault.
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A Car Accident Lawyer Serving New Iberia Can Ease Your Legal Burden
Our New Iberia personal injury lawyers advocate for those who have suffered because of an accident that another party caused. We can represent you while you focus on your recovery and well-being.
When you hire our firm for your accident case, a car accident attorney in New Iberia can assist you by:
- Speaking with you to fully understand the accident and your account of events.
- Keeping you updated on the progression of the legal process.
- Collecting and organizing evidence of the accident and the circumstances that caused it, including proof of the other party’s negligence.
- Examining your medical records to determine the extent of your injuries.
- Filing your claim with the appropriate information.
- Negotiating a settlement offer from the other party’s insurance company.
- Representing you before a judge should we be unable to reach an out-of-court agreement.
Our contingency fee agreement means we take care of all this and more at no upfront cost to you.
You won’t owe anything unless we deliver compensation from the liable party, and if we do, we’ll take our payment as a percentage of this award. Our team seeks compassionate legal support without adding further financial worries to your plate.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to for Your Injuries or Losses
Car accidents lead to many different types of injuries, from relatively minor bruising to severe brain injuries. Depending on the damages you suffer, you may face growing medical bills and other expenses and losses. Through a personal injury case, you could recover compensation for:
- Past, present, and future accident-related medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Cost of physical rehabilitation or prolonged recovery assistance
- Psychological distress
- Pain and suffering, and inconvenience
- Loss of household benefits or income
- Emotional damages
You may also be able to collect damages for items that we have not listed here. For example, wrongful death damages address other expenses and losses your family could experience.
Call Our Car Accident Lawyers at Our New Iberia Office for a Free Legal Consultation
While wondering whether legal representation is necessary in your case, consider this: handling these proceedings can be difficult by yourself. Determining liable parties, collecting evidence, and negotiating for your damages can be overwhelming if you do not have an intricate knowledge of state law.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, your financial recovery is our priority. Whether your collision occurred on East Main Street, Highway 90, or somewhere in between, we are on your side. Contact our law office today for a free consultation on your New Iberia accident case.
Call or text (337)-547-2777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
