Have you lost a loved one because of a careless or reckless driver? Are you facing a lot of extra bills and the prospect of trying to make ends meet without your loved one’s income? A St. Charles Parish fatal accident lawyer may be able to help. Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 for more information and a free case evaluation.
Causes of Fatal Car Accidents
In some ways, getting behind the wheel is an act of faith. You do your utmost to keep yourself and others safe by following the law, and you trust that everyone else will do the same. When they do not, you and your family could end up paying the price, leaving you reeling with shock, anger, and grief.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 768 people died in traffic accidents in Louisiana in 2018. Common causes of fatal car crashes include:
- Alcohol: Twenty-eight percent of all 2018 traffic fatalities in Louisiana involved alcohol.
- Distractions: In addition to cell phones, drivers may allow their attention to be diverted by other people inside or outside the car, food or drink, and so on.
- Drowsiness: Whether caused by lack of sleep or the side effects of a medication, tiredness can affect a person’s judgment.
- Recklessness: Disobeying the speed limit, ignoring traffic lights or signs, or following too closely behind other vehicles is never acceptable and can lead to fatal accidents.
Not all fatal accidents are attributable to the other driver. Sometimes, an auto part (e.g., the brakes) malfunctions at the worst possible moment. Other times, the road itself is unsafe, perhaps because of inclement weather (e.g., black ice) or objects left in the roadway by a maintenance crew. You may still be able to receive compensation in these cases, but instead of suing a driver, you will sue the manufacturer, the maintenance contractor, or whoever else was responsible for the crash.
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Receiving Compensation
Compensation is money that accident victims can sue for. If you wish to sue on behalf of a deceased loved one, you will be filing a wrongful death lawsuit. You may be eligible for any or all of the following damages:
- Medical costs: Your loved one might not have passed away immediately and had time to seek medical treatment for their accident injuries.
- Pain and suffering: Your loved one endured physical and/or psychological distress because of their injuries or even the accident itself.
- Loss of companionship: Your loved one’s passing has deprived you of the many benefits of their presence (e.g., support and affection).
- Loss of financial support: Your loved one’s passing has deprived you of their income, so it is now more difficult for you to make ends meet.
- Funeral costs: Covering your loved one’s end-of-life expenses was your responsibility.
Compensation can be very helpful, but getting it is not always easy. For example, before filing your lawsuit, you must make sure that the statute of limitations has not already run out. A statute of limitations is a law that gives accident victims or their surviving family members a certain amount of time to file their lawsuit. Per Louisiana Civil Code (CC) §2315.2, that time period is one year. Any lawsuits filed after that year may be considered invalid.
The statute of limitations is not the only law that may impact your ability to collect damages. For more information about damages and lawsuits in general, call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 at your earliest convenience.
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Gathering Evidence
Hiring a St. Charles Parish fatal accident lawyer to help you with your lawsuit can make the legal process easier for you. You will not have to worry about anything except recovering from the devastating loss of your loved one. The legal services provided by Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers include:
- Assessing your case: To make sure your case qualifies, take advantage of our consultation service. It is free and comes with no obligation.
- Identifying liable parties and damages: By investigating your case, we can let you know who you should sue and how much you can sue. The evidence we gather may also help convince an insurance company to pay what you are asking for.
- Filing your lawsuit: Let us take care of all the paperwork in your case, including filing your lawsuit and, if necessary, scheduling court dates.
- Fighting for compensation: We will do our utmost to get you a pretrial settlement, which is quicker than going to trial. However, if negotiations stall and going to trial is your only shot at getting fair compensation, we will not hesitate to do so.
- Giving guidance: If you have a question, something new or unexpected happens that may affect your case, or you are not sure whether to settle or go to court, then talk to your lawyer. They can help you with all legal decisions, big and small.
If the accident has left you less financially stable than before, do not let that deter you from hiring an attorney. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers will work on a contingent basis. We only charge you once you have received your compensation. If we cannot get compensation for you, then you do not have to pay us at all.
A St. Charles Parish fatal accident lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you fight for compensation after your loved one’s untimely death. To schedule a free consultation, call our main office at (337) 777-7777 today.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
