- Prove that negligence caused the crash
- Review your crash report for important details
- Build an evidence-based case
- Calculate your damages
- Comply with your state’s filing deadline (known as the statute of limitations)
- Negotiate a settlement with the at-fault driver or their insurance company
Laborde Earles can also investigate and handle all the important paperwork and demands from the at-fault driver’s insurer and other parties involved in your case. You do not have to manage your case by yourself, especially when you are focused on recovering from your accident.
Learn more about the benefits of working with our firm and all the things our Lafayette car accident lawyer can do to assist in your pursuit of financial compensation. Call us today for a free initial consultation.
Prove That the Other Driver Was Negligent and Caused Your Crash
Holding the at-fault driver responsible for your financial damages typically means proving that their negligence caused your accident. For example, if the driver ran a red light or was texting while driving when they hit you, they failed to exercise reasonable care while operating their vehicle. This caused a collision in which they might bear financial responsibility.
Before you seek compensation from the at-fault motorist, your lawyer must prove negligence by focusing on the following evidence:
- Duty of care: The driver owed you a standard of care. Your lawyer will establish the expected standard of care, such as following traffic laws and exercising caution to prevent harm to others on the road.
- Breach of duty: The defendant breached the duty of care owed to you. We’ll show how the defendant’s actions deviated from the expected standard, such as reckless driving or failure to obey traffic signals. Witness statements, traffic camera footage, accident reconstruction analyses, or expert testimony could help us establish the breach of duty.
- Causation: There is a causal link between the defendant’s breach of duty and your injuries. The defendant’s actions were a substantial factor in causing the accident and subsequent harm. Using medical records, expert opinions, and other evidence, we’ll connect the injuries directly to the defendant’s negligent behavior.
- Damages: You suffered damages due to your financial expenses and losses, which can include medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and other losses. Our team will help illustrate the impact of the accident on your life, emphasizing the emotional, physical, and financial toll of the injuries.
If our personal injury lawyers in Lafayette can prove these elements, it will help establish your right to financial compensation due to negligence. The items included in your evidence file and the testimony of impartial witnesses can support your case.
The Crash Report Contains Important Information
After a car accident, the Insurance Information Institute (III) guidelines recommend filing a crash report right away. Doing so will allow local police to capture information of great value to your legal team.
Your crash report may contain information that identifies:
- The at-fault driver
- The driver’s insurance company
- Accident witnesses
- Accident scene details
- Apparent injuries
- Apparent damage
- Factors that contributed to the accident
We will help you get the accident report. Our legal team may also request copies of your medical records and bills, financial data, and car repair costs. Your crash report, along with these documents, may lead to a complete and comprehensive evidence file that proves your right to monetary recovery.
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.
ClientAssess Your Losses After the Car Accident
A car accident might lead to a pile of medical bills and related expenses, from income loss to emotional trauma.
As the American Bar Association (ABA) explains, if you are awarded damages, it can include compensation for the following:
- Anticipated medical expenses
- Anticipated loss of income
- Property repair or replacement values
- Lasting physical disability or disfigurement
- Physical, mental, and pain and suffering
A personal injury lawyer from our firm can help you assess the value of your damages. They can also help you sort out the financial losses in your case versus the non-financial ones, such as pain and suffering or mental anguish.
We can review your medical records and prognosis to determine the value of any anticipated costs you may incur in the future due to the crash. A careful assessment of your accident-related expenses and losses may also help us negotiate a settlement on your behalf.
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 | ClientBuild an Evidence-Based Car Accident Case
To construct a compelling case, your attorney will gather and present a wide range of evidence. This includes gathering evidence at the accident scene, such as photographs, witness statements, and accident reports, which can help reconstruct the events leading to the collision.
Medical records and expert testimonies help establish the extent and causation of injuries, linking them directly to the negligence of the at-fault party. Additionally, financial documentation, such as medical bills, repair estimates, and employment records, helps quantify your damages.
An effective evidence-based approach strengthens your position. It provides a clear narrative for legal proceedings and increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome for your case.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientFile Your Personal Injury Lawsuit on Time
Your state has a mandatory filing deadline you must meet for the civil court to consider your injury lawsuit. However, how long you have to take legal action is different between states. For example, the statute of limitations for a car accident in Louisiana is usually one year. However, in other states, you might have more time.
Our team can explain the state deadlines that apply to your lawsuit and any exceptions that might alter the timeline. If you fail to comply with the filing deadline, you risk losing your chance of pursuing the at-fault driver for compensation.
Depending on when you reach out about your case, we can file your lawsuit on time while continuing to negotiate with the liable parties in your accident. At any point up until a jury reaches a verdict in your personal injury lawsuit, you and the at-fault driver might be able to reach a fair settlement agreement.
We may file your lawsuit even if settlement negotiations have begun to ensure your right to seek compensation is preserved if a settlement agreement cannot be reached. This strategic approach protects your interests and allows for continued legal recourse when we can’t reach a resolution through negotiation.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientHelp You Understand Your Rights
Navigating the complexities of personal injury law can be overwhelming if you are not well-versed in legal proceedings. Our car accident lawyers will clearly explain your rights and the available options.
At Laborde Earles, we inform you about potential courses of action and guide you through the legal processes. Whether it involves dealing with insurance claims or filing a personal injury lawsuit, we will always represent your interests. By offering clarity on legal rights, we want to empower you to make informed decisions about your accident claim.
Negotiate With Insurance Companies for Maximum Compensation
While insurance companies are meant to provide financial protection after an accident, their primary goal is to minimize payouts and protect their own financial interests. Insurance adjusters will employ tactics to downplay the severity of injuries, dispute liability, or rush victims into accepting settlements that may not adequately cover their losses.
Adjusters often use recorded statements against claimants, and the complexities of insurance policies can be challenging for victims to navigate independently. To ensure a fair and just outcome, seek legal representation.
Car accident attorneys can act as advocates, negotiating with insurance companies on behalf of victims and working to secure the maximum compensation. This approach helps level the playing field and safeguards your rights against tactics employed by insurance companies to minimize payouts. If claims adjusters refuse to settle on a fair amount, we will take your case to court.
Represent Your Car Accident Case in Court
When pursuing litigation, it’s essential to have a skilled attorney who can navigate the intricacies of the legal system. Knowing that professionals handle your case, you can relax and focus on healing.
When representing your case in court, a car accident attorney will:
- Prepare legal documents: Draft and file all necessary legal documents, including complaints, motions, and responses, ensuring that all paperwork adheres to legal requirements and deadlines.
- Handle court filings: Manage the filing of court documents, ensuring they are submitted accurately and within specified timeframes.
- Represent you in court proceedings: Advocate on your behalf during court hearings, trials, and any other legal proceedings related to the car accident case.
- Cross-examine opposing witnesses: Skillfully cross-examine witnesses presented by the opposing party to challenge their credibility and uncover any inconsistencies in their testimony.
- Present expert testimony: Utilize expert witnesses (such as accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals) to provide credible testimony supporting your case.
- Seek maximum compensation: Work to secure the maximum compensation possible for you, considering both economic and non-economic damages.
- Keep you informed: Maintain open communication, keeping you informed about the progress of the case, legal strategies, and any significant developments.
By having legal representation, you increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome. Our personal injury law firm has a long history of securing successful case results. We have helped many injured victims get the settlement or verdict they were expecting.
Let Our Car Accident Lawyers Advocate for You
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident, you could get compensation from the at-fault driver. Our team at Laborde Earles can help you fight for monetary recovery, comply with relevant laws, and meet all applicable timelines.
If you want to learn more about what a car accident lawyer does and how our guidance and direction could help you get the compensation you deserve after a car accident, contact us today. Our firm can protect your rights and fight for your financial recovery.
