Our law firm offers representation without charging any upfront fees or subjecting you to any out-of-pocket expenses. Instead, we can represent you on a contingency-fee-basis. This means our attorney fees come out of whatever settlement or court award we obtain on your behalf.
A typical contingency fee is one-third of your car accident settlement amount, per the American Bar Association (ABA). We will explain how much it will cost to hire a car accident lawyer from our firm before signing any contracts. You can discuss the specific percentage with a member of our team to ensure you understand the process before agreeing to work with us.
We can also explain how long settlement negotiations may take and how much time might elapse between agreeing to a settlement and receiving payment from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can explain the facts in more detail.
Why Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer Is Worth the Contingency Fee
Hiring our law firm to help you fight for damages gives you access to several services. Our car accident lawyers understand the personal injury laws of your state and can help you use them to assign financial responsibility to the at-fault driver. When we represent you, our team will also:
- Determine the cause of the collision and any contributing factors
- Help you gather all injury-related medical bills
- Establish your monetary losses from all income streams
- Ensure your case receives a valuation that includes all valid expenses and losses
- Handle all insurance company forms and paperwork
- Define the time you have to file your lawsuit and any extensions to the timeline you might be entitled to
- Negotiate for a favorable financial settlement on your behalf
For a free legal consultation, call (337) 777-7777
Documenting Your Injuries and Required Medical Care
Injuries sustained in car accidents lead to more than a million nights spent in the hospital annually, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics. Their research goes on to indicate the average cost of medical care resulting from a car accident over the victim’s lifetime:
- $3,300 in emergency room care
- $57,000 in hospital stays
Your actual costs might easily exceed these averages depending on the extent of your injuries and the amount of medical care they require. This is why it’s important to ensure you document all of your expenses and their value. Leaving out the current and future medical costs you are facing—as well as other damages the collision caused you—can leave you paying the remainder out of pocket.
When collecting evidence in your case to prove liability, we also make sure to take note of your damages. Invoices, receipts, and other documents will help us prove the financial cost of your accident. We can also help you calculate any income you missed and the value of your pain and suffering.
Negotiating a Car Accident Settlement
Another service our firm offers is negotiation with insurance companies. Most car accidents end in settlement agreements, but that does not mean the first offer you receive will address all of your damages. To help you reach a financial settlement with the at-fault driver and their insurer, we can:
- Prepare and file your insurance claim
- Communicate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Work to prove the at-fault driver’s negligence that entitles you to recovery
- Submit the estimates and receipts that substantiate your costs
- Negotiate for compensation based on the value we have assigned to your case
- Prepare to file a lawsuit if the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement
The weeks after a car accident can be a stressful and confusing time. Our team can handle the insurance company, giving you the time you need to cope with the physical and emotional aftermath of the collision.
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Meeting All Critical Filing Deadlines
Filing a car accident lawsuit involves meeting a state-mandated deadline. Per CC Art. 3492, you typically only have one year from the accident date to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline can result in the dismissal of your case, meaning you receive no compensation for your damages. When we represent you, we can make sure you are aware of the deadline in your case and any rules that may allow you to extend it.
However, it’s important to reach out to us as soon as possible after the collision. That way, we can stay ahead of the deadline even while attempting to negotiate a settlement. This helps us protect your right to sue.
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Kinds of Compensation a Lawyer May Help You Secure
You may be hesitant to hire a car accident lawyer. However, in the long run, many injury victims secure more compensation for their losses when they get professional help.
Lawyers understand the strategies that work to win compensation for your losses. They also understand the kind of compensation you could receive, including coverage for your:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages at work
- Diminished earning potential
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish
- Vehicle repair costs
Victims who work with lawyers often receive more compensation than individuals who try to handle their legal case alone. Therefore, even with a contingency fee payment, a lawyer could save you money in the long run.
Types of Cases Car Accident Lawyers Handle
Your car accident lawyer can help you after any collision in Louisiana. You can reach out to a legal professional after the following accidents.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions occur when one vehicle strikes another as they move in opposite directions. These accidents often cause significant vehicle damage and severe injuries, like broken bones, whiplash, and organ damage.
Drivers often cause head-on accidents if they cross the center line into oncoming traffic. Traveling the wrong way up a one-way street could also lead to a head-on collision. Drivers may cause these accidents if they fall asleep at the wheel or engage in reckless behavior, like passing over a solid center line.
Rear-End Collisions
You could also sustain an injury if another driver hits you from behind in Louisiana. Rear-end collisions are common at stop signs, at red lights, or in stop-and-go traffic. We see these accidents frequently when drivers do not pay attention to what’s happening around them.
During a rear-end collision, you could get thrown forward against your steering wheel, causing your neck to whip back and forth. These accidents often lead to concerns like whiplash and spinal cord injuries.
A lawyer can help you review the causes and liability for a rear-end accident.
Side-Impact Collisions
Sometimes one vehicle strikes another on the side. We call these accidents side-impact collisions or T-bone accidents. They frequently occur in intersections, especially if one driver runs a red light and proceeds into oncoming traffic.
Side-impact collisions can lead to serious injuries and extensive damage to your vehicle. You have the chance to seek legal compensation with your lawyer’s help after this kind of accident.
Rollover Accidents
You may sustain an injury in a single-vehicle rollover collision or a wreck that involves multiple vehicles. Large vehicles, like semi-trucks and 18-wheelers, may be more likely to roll over than smaller vehicles.
Sometimes, large trucks roll over and end up blocking multiple lanes of traffic. In this situation, cars often pile up as multiple collisions take place.
Get a Car Accident Lawyer to Help You Fight for Compensation
You do not have to seek financial compensation after a car accident without legal assistance. Contact a member of our personal injury team today to learn more about how much it will cost to hire a car accident lawyer from our firm and the advantages hiring a lawyer may bring to your lawsuit.
Contact us at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers now for a free consultation.
Call or text (337) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
