After getting hurt in a Youngsville car accident, you might find yourself beset on all sides by medical treatment, employment issues, and financial struggles. The last thing that you need is to have to battle the insurer of the person whose carelessness hurt you.
You do not have to work with an Youngsville personal injury lawyer on your injury claim, but you have every right to do so. Most people do not realize how short the time limit is for taking legal action against the at-fault driver. Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492 limits most lawsuits for damages after an accident to one year. If you miss the deadline, you can lose the right to collect money damages for your losses.
You do not have to navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of insurance claims by yourself. You can call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today for a free case evaluation. There is no obligation.
Things to Be Aware of Going into Negotiations
Many different things could hinder you in your fight for compensation for your injuries. Here are a few examples of the possible pitfalls that you may encounter:
An Insurance Company May Ask You to Give a Recorded Statement
The claims adjuster might ask you to answer a series of questions while he records your responses. He can then take snippets out of the transcript and cobble them together to say something that you did not intend. If the adjuster asks you to give a recorded statement, tell him to talk to your attorney. Your Youngsville car accident lawyer can handle all communications with insurers on your behalf.
The Insurance Company May Pressure You to Accept a Lowball Offer
Another trick that insurance companies use is offering injured people a quick settlement of their claims. While a check for several thousand dollars might be tempting, the adjuster might not explain that you have to pay your medical bills and all other losses out of that one check. Also, you will have to sign away your right to ever go after more money for your damages from the accident in the future. Many people find out, after it is too late, that they should have gotten much more money for the harm they suffered.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we calculate the value of our clients’ injury cases and advise them on whether a settlement offer is reasonable and fair. If the insurer refuses to pay what you deserve, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Your Posts on Social Media About the Accident May Be Used Against You
Posting photographs and comments on social media is an everyday occurrence for many of us. It can backfire on you if you post photos, videos, or comments when you have a pending personal injury claim in the works. You should not post anything online until after the resolution of your case.
For example, photos of you looking happy at a friend’s birthday party could give the defendant an argument that your claim for chronic pain is not valid. You might have pasted on a brave smile for the camera, but that fact will not stop the defendant’s insurer from using the photo against you.
Trusting the Claims Adjuster May Not Benefit You
You should always remember that the claims adjuster is not your friend, no matter how cordial he might act. The bottom line is that his job depends on paying you as little money as possible for your injuries. He does not have your best interests at heart. He has no obligation to warn you about regulations that could affect your right to compensation.
He might keep asking you for more information and records to drag out your interaction. He knows that there is a short timeline for you to take legal action against the defendant, but you might not realize that fact. Once the deadline passes, the insurance company does not have to pay you any money for your losses. The friendly claims adjuster may then disappear, leaving you with nothing.
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.
ClientPotentially Recoverable Compensation
The types and amount of money damages you can collect for your injuries will depend on the unique facts of your situation. Every case is different. Here are some of the kinds of compensation we have won for our clients:
Economic Damages
Economic losses typically come with objective measures of their dollar value, like invoices and receipts. Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses to treat your injuries
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Long-term care
Your case might involve additional types of monetary losses.
Non-Economic Damages
These losses are more challenging to quantify, but we can calculate their worth. This category can include things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
Many factors go into the determination of the appropriate compensation for your non-economic damages.
Wrongful Death
If your close relative died from injuries in a car accident, we might be able to seek additional compensation for the legal beneficiaries. You can call us today at (337) 777-7777 to learn more.
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 | ClientFactors That Determine Liability
Before we can hold the at-fault driver responsible for your losses, we have to prove all four of these elements of liability:
Duty of Care
The defendant must have owed you a duty of care. Whenever a person drives a motor vehicle on public streets, he must obey the traffic laws.
Breach of Duty
It is negligence when a person’s behavior does not measure up to the legal standard. An example of negligence is driving while under the influence of alcohol. Such conduct violates traffic laws.
Causation
The careless act must be the thing that leads to the accident that hurt you, such as if an intoxicated driver did not stop at a stop sign because of his alcohol impairment, and he struck your car when he blew through the intersection. In such a situation, the negligent conduct of impaired driving caused the collision.
Measurable Damages
You must have quantifiable losses to pursue damages for your injuries. Physical wounds satisfy this final element of liability.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientGetting Help from A Youngsville Car Accident Attorney
You do not have to figure out all of your issues on your own. Our clients can focus on getting better while we take care of their legal matters. We can negotiate with the insurer so that you do not have to do so. We can guide your injury case through the claims process and in court, if necessary.
You can call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 to get started. The initial consultation is free.
