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.
If you have suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, a New Orleans drunk driving accident lawyer may be able to help. You may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages.
For a free consultation with a representative from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, call us today at (504) 777-7777. Our New Orleans drunk driving accident lawyers can pursue compensation on your behalf while you recover from your injuries.
What to Do Following a Drunk Driving Accident
If you are involved in a drunk driving accident, you must act as soon as possible after the accident. 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, reach out to a New Orleans drunk driving accident lawyer. Explain that you have been hurt or someone you love has been killed in a drunk driving accident. Your lawyer can begin to collect time-sensitive evidence that can help you seek damages from the other driver.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving accident lawyer serving New Orleans, call (504) 777-7777
Determining Liability for Your Drunk Driving Accident
In order to determine what damages you might be entitled to, it is important to determine who is at fault for your drunk driving accident. If the other driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident, he or she will be held liable most of the time.
Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14.98, you may also be entitled to compensation if you were injured in a car accident and the at-fault party was driving under the influence. To be considered at fault, your lawyer must show that the driver was operating the vehicle while intoxicated and being intoxicated caused your injuries.
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
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photographs of the accident
- Accident reports from the police
- Written statements
Call (504) 777-7777 to schedule a free consultation with the team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get to work for you.
New Orleans Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me (504) 777-7777
How a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Can Help You
In addition to determining who was liable for the accident, a drunk driving lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you with many other aspects of your case. Our lawyers can handle all legal aspects of your case, help you determine what damages you may be entitled to, and handle all interactions with the other party and their insurance company. Some of the ways we can help you include:
- Submit documents and evidence
- File claims
- Handle correspondence with the insurance company of the at-fault driver
- Collect evidence to establish liability for the accident
- Collect evidence to establish the value of your damages
- Negotiate a settlement on your behalf
- File 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. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers will handle all written and verbal communication with the other party’s insurance company. We can negotiate a reasonable settlement with the insurance provider. If we cannot come to a settlement that is fair to you, we can assist you in filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
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How to Determine the Value of Your Damages
Many factors may influence the value of your damages resulting from a drunk driving accident. A lawyer can help you determine how much you may be entitled to receive. Such factors to 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.
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Statute of Limitations for Drunk Driving Accidents
In Louisiana, there is a deadline of one year for filing a lawsuit after a drunk driving accident:
- Louisiana Civil Code § 3492 is the statute of limitations for personal injury.
- Louisiana Civil Code § 2315.2 sets the statute of limitations for wrongful death caused by a drunk driving accident.
- Louisiana Civil Code § 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 one year, or you will lose your right to sue the at-fault party.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Is Here for You
If you have been injured by a drunk driver, call the office of Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (504) 777-7777 for a free consultation. A New Orleans drunk driving accident lawyer may be able to help you pursue compensation for your losses.
Call or text (504) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
