What Is Third-Party Insurance?

An example of third-party insurance in a car accident case is when the at-fault driver’s insurance company covers your expenses and losses. They will pay the compensation you are awarded through settlement negotiations or in court. In this case, the insured driver is the first party, their insurer is the second party, and you, as the claimant, are the third party.

Our personal injury team will explain what third-party insurance is and how you seek compensation from someone else’s coverage after an accident. We can help you create a detailed list of your recoverable expenses and their individual and collective values. We can also lead the negotiation process from start to finish and help you make a well-informed decision that leads to a favorable financial outcome for you.

What Damages Can I Recover From Third-Party Insurance?

If you are injured, your property is damaged, or a loved one is fatally injured in a car accident, the at-fault party and their insurer are responsible for the following recoverable damages: 

• Medical care from the accident scene until your recovery is deemed complete
• Income loss from the time of the accident until you can safely return to work
• Repairs to your car or its replacement value when deemed a total loss
• In-home medical and domestic support until your recovery is complete
• Physical disability and impairment, and mental and emotional pain and suffering

Our car accident attorneys can help you carefully track all aspects of the accident’s financial aftermath. We will also request a copy of your employment record, car accident report, and your medical records and bills from every health care provider and facility involved in your treatment plan. 

How Long Do I Have to Settle My Compensation Case?

No one can predict the length of time it will take to reach a settlement agreement with the insurance company. It will depend on how long it takes to collect and present your evidence. It will also depend on you, in part, because you will make the final decision to accept or reject each monetary offer you receive.

One part of the post-accident timeline is clear because the state decides how long you have to file a lawsuit. In Louisiana, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, according to CC Art. 3492. Similarly, you have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit if you lost a family member in the accident, according to CC Art. 2315.2. 

What If the At-Fault Driver Was Uninsured?

According to Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) guidelines, registered vehicle owners in the state are not required to have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. These types of coverage are optional but a good idea, as they provide an added layer of protection if the driver who caused your accident:

• Did not have insurance at all: If your insurance includes uninsured motorist (UM) protection, we can help you seek compensation from your own insurer.
• Had insurance, but not enough to cover your losses: If your insurance policy includes underinsured motorist (UIM) protection, your policy could cover the remaining expenses the third-party insurance did not cover.

Inform one of our team members right away if you have either or both of these policy add-ons in place. If the at-fault driver’s insurance cannot meet the cost of your expenses and losses, we will not hesitate to help you explore these additional compensation avenues.

Our Client-Focused Team Is On Your Side

Clients we helped in the past had this to say about working with our team to recover damages:

• “My “thank you” seems so small compared to all Mallory has done, but it comes from my heart. I absolutely will always have her, your, number for anything that may come up. I will also always direct people to her, you…she is amazing.” – Lynn Warner
• “The staff at Laborde & Earls is top notch. To the attorneys that handled my case (Kelby & Scott) to all the paralegals and other staff that assisted me with my case, all were awesome. Would highly recommend!!” – Kyle
• “Laborde Earles went above and beyond my expectations. Great experience overall. They understand their clients and my needs were put first. I can’t say enough about them, especially Kim Fontenot, she went the extra mile and was so reliable… I would highly recommend this firm.” – Brenda Lott

We strive to make all our clients feel welcome, supported, and confident in their cases. You can learn more about our client-centered approach to personal injury cases on our testimonials page or in our Google reviews.

Get a Free Case Review Today

If you were in a car accident in Louisiana, our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you seek compensation through a third-party claim or a lawsuit. Learn more about third-party insurance and your right to compensation by contacting our firm at (337) 284-9548 today. We review these cases for free.