Every collision is unique, so it is nearly impossible to predict how much money you can get from a minor car accident without an investigation. In general, you could recover compensation based on the economic and non-economic damages you experience. The financial recovery you may receive will depend on the strength of the evidence in your case, among other factors.
If you are interested in filing an injury claim or lawsuit for a minor car accident in Louisiana, an attorney from our firm can go over the evidence and calculate your potential settlement. We will review the various damages you suffered, including pain and suffering and emotional distress. You can learn more about your legal options during a complimentary consultation with our team.
What Is Considered a Minor Car Accident?
When determining how much money you could get from a minor car accident, it is important to know what’s widely viewed as “minor.” An example would be if you had a fender-bender that slightly damages the vehicle, but it is still drivable. Minor accidents also do not cause major injuries.
Common examples of property damage in minor accidents include:
- Scuff marks, dents, cracks, or scratches to the body of a vehicle
- Broken or cracked side mirrors, headlights, or taillights
- Damaged to doors, trunk or, a vehicle’s hood that could make it hard to open or close
- Damage to the car’s front end, such as the grille between the headlights
A minor fender-bender could also damage the car’s frame, knock off the vehicle’s alignment, or damage its axles or other parts. You should note all damage to your vehicle and take photographs to support a claim.
You may also want to consider seeing a doctor to ensure you’re okay. Doing so creates a record of a doctor’s visit in case it turns out that your minor accident caused some concerning aches, pains, or injuries. You can report the accident to your insurance company or the police, as well. You may need this documentation later for your case.
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Getting Compensation for a Minor Car Accident
Many car accident victims make the mistake of not pursuing compensation unless the crash is severe. After a minor collision, especially one in which the physical injuries are not serious, victims may feel it is not worth their time to contact a lawyer and try to go after the other driver or their insurance company for financial recovery.
The problem is that this ignores non-economic damages, which can be a source of significant compensation after many car accidents, including some minor collisions. In fact, you could sue for a car accident even if you’re not hurt and collect pain and suffering damages.
Why You Should Speak to a Lawyer About Your Accident, Even If It Is Minor
Our car accident attorneys can evaluate your case and let you know how much money you might be eligible to receive. They can also let you know if it is worth your time to pursue damages from the other driver and their insurer.
You have nothing to lose by contacting our firm about your collision, as we offer free consultations. Our attorneys also follow a contingency-fee structure, so you’ll owe nothing up front or out of pocket when you hire us. We only collect attorney’s fees from compensation we secure for our clients.
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Are There Damage Caps for Minor Car Accidents?
In states with no caps on damages, there is no limit to how much you can earn. If your lawyer can make a successful case for a settlement of a certain dollar amount, you can recover that amount from the at-fault party.
Car accident victims are often eligible to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to actual monetary losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced or lost earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Prescription drug costs
- Physical therapy costs
- Other accident-related expenses
What Non-Economic Damages Can You Claim?
Non-economic damages refer to losses with no direct value in terms of a dollar amount. For example, non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Our accident attorneys can evaluate your case and calculate your total economic and non-economic damages. Once you know what your car crash settlement is worth, you can decide how to move forward with pursuing compensation.
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How Long do You Have to File a Lawsuit for a Minor Car Accident?
How long you have to take legal action after a minor crash will depend on the state laws where the accident took place. If it happened in your home state, your state’s statute of limitations will apply. Likewise, if the accident happened while you were visiting another state, you will need to file according to that state’s statute of limitations.
In Louisiana, you have one year from the accident date to seek legal action, per CC Art. 3492. Your chance to pursue legal recovery ends when this deadline expires. Therefore, if you are thinking about seeking financial recovery with a lawsuit, we recommend starting sooner rather than later.
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How a Lawyer Can Help You After a Minor Car Accident
Having our personal injury lawyer work on your case can make the legal process more manageable. We can offer legal counsel along the way and explain all laws and developments in your case. If you hire Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers to represent you, our personal injury team will:
- Gather and analyze evidence, such as police and accident reports, witness testimony, photos, and video footage of the accident scene
- Work with expert witnesses to support your case
- Handle all case communications with relevant parties
- File all paperwork within imposed timelines
- Evaluate your economic and non-economic damages
- Fight for your recovery at trial if a settlement is unreachable
- Answer your questions
- Guide you through the legal process
Call Today for a Free Consultation About Your Minor Auto Accident
If you recently had a minor car accident, our lawyers can review how much money you could possibly get. Then, we can help you seek fair compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company. While an insurer will try to give you the lowest settlement possible, our car accident team’s job is to fight for the compensation that your damages warrant.
To explore your legal options during a free consultation, give us a call at (337) 777-7777. We do not collect any upfront fees, which means we can start on your case right away. We get paid only if you recover compensation.
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