What Are the Main Causes of Car Accidents in Louisiana?
According to the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI), the following are the main causes of car accidents in Louisiana:
- Road and weather conditions
- Traffic jams, delays, and frustrations
- Distractions, including talking and texting
- Alcohol or drug impairment
- Speeding or driving faster than conditions allow
Should you decide to hire a lawyer from our firm to help you with your car accident case, they can help you identify the cause of your accident, conduct a thorough investigation, and carefully review the evidence in your case.
Prove the Specific Cause of Your Car Accident
Louisiana Revised Statutes (RS) §32:398 requires you to call the police and generate a car accident report if one or more of the following facts applies to the collision you were involved in:
- Anyone involved in the accident was injured.
- Anyone involved in the accident died.
- One or both of the involved vehicles sustained significant damage.
Your crash report may also specify the cause of your accident. The officer who investigates the accident scene may indicate whether or not the at-fault driver was distracted or impaired by drugs or alcohol. He may also note:
- The posted speed limit
- Movements prior to the impact
- Traffic infractions or violations
He may also indicate whether the at-fault driver’s vehicle or any of its components were defective. These details could help your lawyer prove the negligence that may establish your right to financial recovery and the severity of the injuries you sustain.
Common Car Accident Injuries
A car accident might lead to a wide range of injuries, from cuts, scrapes, and bruises to injuries severe enough to change your physical appearance and abilities. Commonly reported car accident injuries include:
- Head and neck injuries, including whiplash and concussions
- Skeletal injuries, including broken limbs, ribs, and collarbones
- Debilitating injuries, including back and spinal cord damage
- Catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and amputations
Your health care team may diagnose and treat your injuries and create a long-term care plan and prognosis. Your legal team can then assess your short-term and long-term financial damages and create a plan for financial compensation.
Recovering the Costs of Your Injuries
The medical care you require to treat your car accident injuries may be recoverable from the at-fault driver. Depending on the degree and severity of your injuries, you might be eligible to recoup the cost of your:
- Ambulance fees
- Emergency room care
- Diagnostic tests
- Hospital admissions
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Surgical procedures
Keep track of your medical expenses and make a point of providing your lawyer with copies of your medical records and bills. That may include the bills you receive in the mail and the records each treatment facility maintains. Your lawyer can help you compile and organize these bills and include them in your case file.
Establish These Additional Financial Damages
Your recoverable damages may extend beyond your medical care. A personal injury lawyer might also be able to help you recoup these related damages:
- Past and future income loss
- Vehicle damage or total loss
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional angst
You might also be entitled to compensation for lasting physical disabilities or for permanent scarring or disfigurement. If a car accident leads to these financial expenses and losses, a lawyer from our firm may be able to help you determine their monetary value and fight for your financial recovery.
Do Not Put Your Compensation in Jeopardy
In Louisiana, your right to file a personal injury lawsuit is typically limited to only two years, according to Civil Code (CC) §3492. If you fail to comply with the deadline, or statute of limitations, you may not be able to file your lawsuit at all, which might mean you cannot legally compel the at-fault driver to compensate you.
A personal injury lawyer from our firm might be able to help you comply with the statute of limitations if they get involved in your lawsuit early enough. Early involvement might also mean your lawyer has time to build a strong case and negotiate for a favorable settlement on your behalf.
Put the Power of Our Team to Work for You
Knowing what caused your car accident and how to prove it might lead to financial compensation from the at-fault driver. Our case review team might be able to help you understand the main causes of car accidents in Louisiana and the importance of knowing what caused your accident. Get started building an effective car accident lawsuit right away by calling Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation.
