If you have suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident in New Orleans, a drunk driving accident lawyer from our team may be able to help. You could be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages.
Drunk driving accidents cause deaths and injuries every year in New Orleans. According to crash data from the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation, there were 17,080 DWI cases in 2019. Our New Orleans drunk driving accident lawyers can pursue compensation on your behalf and take care of other legal tasks while you recover from your injuries.
Determining Liability for Your Drunk Driving Accident
Under RS § 14.98, you may be entitled to compensation if you were injured in a car accident and the at-fault party was driving under the influence. In order to determine what damages you might be entitled to, it is important to identify who is at fault for your drunk driving accident. To prove fault, we must show that the driver was operating the vehicle while intoxicated and that this behavior caused the accident that led to your injuries.
Our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help demonstrate that the other driver was at fault in your drunk driving accident case. We can collect evidence to demonstrate that the other driver caused your injuries or the wrongful death of your loved one. The types of evidence we will collect include:
- Blood alcohol level of the driver
- Medical records and bills
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photographs and videos of the accident, the vehicles involved, and your injuries
- Accident reports from the police
- Written statements
- Footage of the accident from a traffic/surveillance camera if possible
Free consultations are available with a team member from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get to work for you.
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.
ClientHow a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help You
In addition to determining who was liable for the accident, a lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you with many other aspects of your case. Our team can help you calculate what damages you may be entitled to and represent you in all interactions with the other party and their insurance company. Some of the tasks we take care of include:
- Submitting documents and evidence
- Filing claims
- Handling correspondence with the insurance company of the at-fault driver
- Collecting evidence to establish liability for the accident
- Collecting evidence to establish the value of your damages
- Negotiating a settlement on your behalf
- Filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver
Many insurance providers will pressure you to accept a settlement quickly. You are never obligated to speak with an insurance provider or to accept a settlement. We are familiar with the fact that insurance companies tend to downplay victims’ injuries and devalue claims. We do not want this for you.
When you hire Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, our team can fight to negotiate a reasonable settlement with the insurance provider. If we cannot come to a settlement that is fair to you, we will assist you in filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
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 | ClientHow to Determine the Value of Your Damages
Many factors may influence the value of your damages resulting from a drunk driving accident. A lawyer from our firm can help you determine how much you may be entitled to receive. Such factors that can influence the value of your damages include:
- Medical costs: The expense of medical care, surgical care, hospitalizations, rehabilitation, medications, and prosthetic devices may be covered.
- Loss of earnings or support: If you cannot work while you recover from the accident, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for lost wages.
- Future loss of earnings or support: You may be entitled to compensation if your injuries prevent you from continuing to work in your current profession.
- Pain and suffering: If you are in significant physical pain or distress following your accident, you can be compensated for this non-economic damage.
- Property damage: If your vehicle is damaged or totaled, you may be able to receive compensation to get it repaired or replaced.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientStatute of Limitations for Drunk Driving Accidents
In Louisiana, there is a deadline of two years for filing a lawsuit after a drunk driving accident:
- CC Art. 3492 is the statute of limitations for personal injury.
- CC Art. 2315.2 sets the statute of limitations for wrongful death caused by a drunk driving accident.
- CC Art. 2315.1 sets the statute of limitations if someone is injured in a drunk driving accident, then dies as a result of those injuries.
If you fail to file your lawsuit within two years you will lose your right to sue the at-fault party. You do not want to miss your chance to get compensation that can help you move forward more comfortably.
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.
ClientClient Testimonials
The following are Google reviews left by previous clients we have represented:
- “They helped me when the other party’s insurance wouldn’t answer my calls! They got the job done and efficiently!” – Lacey M.
- “I woke up and I was lying on my stomach, facedown in a ditch. David was a phenomenal individual. I felt secure; I felt that he was protecting me and my family, and he was going to get us what we deserved. He was a great lawyer and went above and beyond.” – Kelsie
- “Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers immediately brought comfort and support to me and my family after an accident I sustained. The Firm’s Results speak for themselves, which made them an easy decision when searching for attorneys.” – Corey R.
What to Do Following a Drunk Driving Accident
If you are involved in a drunk driving accident, you must act as soon as possible to seek compensation for your damages. The opportunity to collect valuable evidence – such as the driver’s blood alcohol level and photographs of the scene of the accident – can pass if you wait too long.
If you believe that the at-fault driver was drunk, tell the police officer at the scene. If you give the police a written statement, include your suspicion that the driver was intoxicated. As you should with any traffic accident, try to collect the other driver’s name, address, and insurance information. If there are other witnesses to the accident, ask for their names and addresses as well.
After the accident, you can reach out to a drunk driving accident lawyer. Explain that you or someone you love has been hurt or killed in a New Orleans drunk driving accident. Our team can begin to collect time-sensitive evidence that can help you seek damages from the other driver. As such, it is best for one of our lawyers to get started on your case right away.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Is Here for You
If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver in New Orleans, call the office of Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (504) 777-7777 for a free consultation. One of our lawyers may be able to help you pursue compensation for your drunk driving accident losses.
