Because car accidents fall under personal injury law, a personal injury lawyer can deal with a car accident for you. This type of attorney should be familiar with local personal injury laws that will affect your compensation lawsuit, such as those involving:
- Comparative fault
- Recoverable damages
- The statute of limitations
A personal injury lawyer can help you prove the required legal elements of your lawsuit and may be able to establish your right to financial recovery. They can also handle the plethora of insurance forms you may need to complete and submit.
A Local Lawyer May Be Familiar with Personal Injury Laws
A personal injury lawyer in your area should be familiar with the personal injury laws of your state. More than having familiarity with local laws, a lawyer can explain their potential impact on your compensation lawsuit. These laws can determine how to assign fault and liability in your case, what recoverable damages you may be entitled to, and how much time you have to file your lawsuit.
Comparative Fault
A lawyer who understands local laws about comparative fault is important. If the at-fault driver accuses you of bearing any portion of fault for the accident, it might negatively impact your compensation. Any monetary amount you are awarded will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
A personal injury lawyer could help you avoid this costly reduction by proving the at-fault driver bears full responsibility for the cause of the collision. Your lawyer will help you understand the local laws that govern comparative fault and how they may impact your potential right to financial recovery.
Economic and Non-Economic Damages
After a car accident, you might be able to seek financial compensation for the following economic damages:
- Medical bills to date and in the future
- Income loss to date and in the future
- Costs to repair or replace your car
These easy-to-calculate damages typically require only receipt collection and tabulation. You may also be entitled to the following non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Physical impairments or disfigurement
These damages might be more difficult to calculate on your own. A personal injury lawyer can guide you in assigning a financial value to these intangible costs. Under certain circumstances, you might also be entitled to compensation for loss of consortium, society, companionship, guidance, or enjoyment of life.
Filing Deadline
Do not delay contacting a personal injury lawyer. Doing so might cause you to miss the deadline for filing a lawsuit.
In Louisiana, Civil Code (CC) §3492 sets a general two-year deadline on personal injury lawsuits. CC §2315.2 sets a general two-year deadline on wrongful death lawsuits. A personal injury lawyer can help you understand and comply with the filing deadline in your case.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Serve You
When you are injured in an accident, you may want to involve a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. In general, a lawyer can provide you with the following services:
- Locating and interviewing witnesses
- Locating surveillance photos and video
- Building a solid evidence file
- Handling all communications in your case
- Submitting your insurance claim and lawsuit on time
- Figuring out how much money your damages are worth
- Negotiating for a settlement
- Taking your case to trial
A personal injury lawyer may also represent you in your car accident lawsuit on a contingency-fee-basis. This means you may get the legal representation you need with no out-of-pocket expenses.
Get Help from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, our personal injury team includes lawyers who deal with car accidents. We also help surviving family members with wrongful death lawsuits.
If you would like assistance dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, building an effective evidence file, and negotiating for a financial settlement, contact our attorneys by calling (337) 777-7777 today. We offer free, no-obligation case reviews, so you don’t pay unless you win your case and get a settlement or court award.