Commonly seen in rear-end collisions, whiplash happens when your neck is forcefully whipped or snapped back and forth. You might be facing a lengthy recovery time if your car accident injuries include whiplash. In addition, you might not be able to work and support yourself or your family while your body heals from its injuries.
If another party’s negligence caused your car crash, a New Orleans whiplash lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers may be able to help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. We help our clients fight for compensation via personal injury insurance claims and lawsuits.
We offer a free, no-obligation case review to New Orleans car accident victims. If you qualify, we offer representation to our clients using a contingency-fee system.
Actions That Lead to New Orleans Car Accidents
Proving how negligence caused your car accident may be necessary to recover compensation in your case. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can work hard to demonstrate the fault of the liable party, assign financial liability, and fight for compensation on your behalf.
There are many ways that driver negligence can cause a car accident. These may include:
- Tailgating or following another driver too closely
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failure to yield
- Illegal lane change
Non-driver parties could also be liable for a car accident in some cases. For example, mechanical failures that cause accidents may mean a negligent mechanic or the manufacturer of a defective vehicle component is liable.
If an unsafe road condition such as a broken traffic signal or a pothole caused the accident, a negligent municipality responsible for road maintenance may be at fault.
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Reasons Drivers Cause Car Accidents in New Orleans
Understanding your car accident’s cause can help your lawyer build a claim for you. Generally, drivers only secure compensation if someone else caused the collision. Drivers may be liable for an accident if they:
Drive While Distracted
Distracted drivers do not pay adequate attention to the road and other vehicles. There are many possible causes for distraction, including:
- Text messages and phone calls
- Mobile devices
- Eating or drinking
- Passengers in the vehicle
Drivers may experience manual distraction when they take their hands off the wheel to do something like change the radio station or grab a snack. Visual distraction occurs when drivers look away from the road for any reason.
Some drivers experience mental or cognitive distraction when they stop thinking about what they’re doing. Drivers may have their attention diverted by events happening at work or other stressful events.
Drive While Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
Driving after using drugs or drinking alcohol is against the law in New Orleans. However, some drivers ignore this law and get behind the wheel while impaired. Impaired drivers may drive recklessly.
Drive While Tired
Fatigue affects drivers in much the same way that alcohol consumption does. It causes drivers to make poor decisions that often lead to accidents. Going without even a single night of sleep can cause significant impairment.
Drive Recklessly
Some drivers engage in reckless behavior while they’re behind the wheel. These drivers may feel impatient to reach their destination or simply enjoy the thrill of pushing the limits of their vehicle.
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Diagnosing and Treating Whiplash After a Car Accident
If you are injured in a car accident, you might be offered medical care at the accident scene. Emergency medical technicians can assess your injuries, render medical aid, and transport you to a local emergency room if needed.
If you do not receive emergency medical care at the accident scene, you should still see a doctor for an evaluation as soon as possible.
The Mayo Clinic recommends seeing a doctor for any whiplash symptoms related to a car accident. Such symptoms may include:
- A stiff neck or neck pain that gets worse when you move
- An inability to rotate or move your neck as you normally would
- Persistent headaches
- Unexplained tiredness, dizziness, irritability, or trouble focusing
- Blurry vision, a ringing sound in the ears, or trouble recalling details
Speaking to a health care professional after your accident can help with your diagnosis and treatment. It can also establish proof that your injuries came from the car accident, and your medical record may be used as evidence in your personal injury case.
Treatment for whiplash can include immobilizing your neck, prolonged periods of rest, pain control and management, and a gradual return to your usual routine. Whiplash can also present chronic pain or symptoms for some patients.
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Other Steps to Take After Your New Orleans Car Accident
In addition to seeking medical treatment after sustaining whiplash in a car accident in New Orleans, you should also take other steps in the aftermath of your collision to construct a strong claim.
The professionals recommend that you:
- Report your accident to law enforcement
- Get contact information from the driver who hit you
- Speak with any eyewitnesses at the scene and get their contact information
- Use your phone to take pictures of the accident and your injuries
- Report your accident to your insurance company
- Do not admit fault for the accident to anyone
You may also want to consider hiring a car accident lawyer soon after a collision. Getting legal help on your side ensures that you get answers to your questions. A lawyer can also help you handle communication with insurance agents and other involved parties.
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Recoverable Damages in a Car Accident Case
Depending on the details of your accident and your injuries, these damages may be recoverable:
- Ambulance fees, emergency room bills, and hospital stays
- Current and future accident-related medical care and services
- Lost wages or other income
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disability
Keep careful track of your medical bills and injury-related expenses. Your lawyer can assign a monetary value to your compensation claim using this evidence. We can also help you determine the value of the intangible portions of your claim, such as pain and suffering.
Allow a Car Accident Lawyer to Investigate Your Collision
A whiplash attorney in New Orleans can step in to build a claim for you after your accident. Our team understands how to gather evidence while constructing your case. We may:
- Interview eyewitnesses who saw the collision
- Review your police report
- Visit the scene of your accident
Your lawyer may also work with an accident reconstruction team. These teams make it their business to assess the causes of accidents in and around New Orleans. They can provide their expert opinion about what happened, which may strengthen your case.
We May Be Able to Negotiate a Financial Settlement on Your Behalf
When you work with a New Orleans whiplash lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we can manage the legal aspects of your case while you recover from your injuries.
After collecting evidence of the responsible party’s liability and the value of your damages, we can file an insurance claim or handle your personal injury lawsuit. This may allow us to reach a fair settlement with the responsible party’s insurance company. If not, we can bring your case to trial.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can handle all communications, negotiations, and paperwork on your behalf during this process. Our staff can also answer your questions and give you updates on the progress of your case.
The Statute of Limitations in Louisiana
Per Louisiana Civil Code (CC) §3492, you generally have one year from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana. Failure to meet the deadline in your case could result in a judge dismissing your lawsuit.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers encourages all accident victims to call us as soon as possible after their accident. A member of our team can go over the specific deadlines associated with your case during your initial consultation.
Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
A New Orleans whiplash lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you fight for compensation after a car accident.
Contact us today for a free consultation on your case with our car accident team. If you qualify, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can take on your claim using a contingency-fee structure, which means we do not charge attorney’s fees unless and until you recover compensation.
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