If you were injured in a Lafayette car accident, you should not have to worry about filing a claim or a lawsuit. A Lafayette car accident attorney could handle the details of your case while you relax and focus on healing. A lawyer could help gather the necessary documentation and pursue an effective claim
What is the Difference Between Filing a Claim and Filing a Lawsuit?
Filing a claim and filing a lawsuit are two different things. Filing a claim can mean sending a letter to the insurance company notifying it about the general nature of the claim, being assigned a claim number, and working with an adjuster to get a fair settlement.
Filing a lawsuit, however, involves preparing a petition for damages in the State of Louisiana and then filing it in an appropriate venue where the case can be heard. Attorneys must file it into a court of competent jurisdiction that can hear that case, which may be either where the accident occurred, where the defendant driver lives, or where the plaintiff lives. That begins the litigation process.
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.
ClientImportant Considerations in Car Accident Cases
There are some important things that attorneys need to include in a car accident claim. They need to establish:
- Who the plaintiff and defendants are, including the insurance companies or entities which may be liable
- Where the plaintiff is domiciled
- Whether the plaintiff is an adult
- What type of action it is (personal injury or wrongful death)
- Where the accident occurred
- How the accident occurred
- What damages the plaintiff suffered
If that plaintiff is not an adult, then the proper party needs to be filing suit on behalf of the minor or anyone who lacks the legal capacity to sue. If the injury victim is a minor, the parents would be filing suit in most cases. Potential damages include special damages, such as bodily injury, recovery for property damage, and lost wages. A suit could also include general damages like pain and suffering.
Then, the injury victim and their attorneys need to have a prayer for relief. This is a portion of the complaint in which the plaintiff asks the court to find the defendants liable and order them to compensate the plaintiff for their injury. You can speak with a Lafayette personal injury lawyer to help you pursue compensation.
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 | ClientVictim’s Involvement in the Car Accident Claim Process
The injury victim plays a very important role in the claim filing process. It is very important for the victim to be available for an interview with the attorney to provide the information needed to file the lawsuit or pursue their claim. The plaintiff is very involved in the discovery process because they provide the answers to many of the questions. During deposition, they need to testify under oath as to the facts and circumstances surrounding the case. When it is time to go to trial, the victim must be prepared to take the stand and speak to the judge or jury about how their injury occurred and how it has impacted their life. Of course, their lawyer is there every step of the way to help them through this process.
Moving a case court system can take some time, and there could be some legal delays. Lawyers try to keep victims as informed as much possible at every step of the case. Even if there are no updates, attorneys reach out to the victim periodically to let them know what is happening with their case.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientSettlement Negotiations After Filing Suit
It is very common for settlement negotiations to continue even after filing a car accident lawsuit. In Louisiana, the law does not require insurance companies to disclose policy limits. Only after a lawyer files suit does a plaintiff gain the right to access to a lot of information about the opposing party, such as surveillance videos and insurance policy information. If there is not enough information to adequately evaluate a victim’s claim prior to settling, a lawyer may need to file suit just to get their hands on that information.
Additionally, Louisiana has a short prescriptive period, or statute of limitations, in which a lawyer has to file suit to preserve the claim. For example, if the victim is still receiving medical treatment 11 months after the accident, the attorney may need to file suit before time runs out. Filing a lawsuit could be necessary even if the case ultimately ends with a fair settlement.
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.
ClientImportance of Retaining an Experienced Auto Crash Attorney
It is important to retain experienced legal counsel when filing a car accident claim because these cases often involve complex rules and regulations. Injury victims deserve to relax after a serious crash, and trying to handle a case alone can feel overwhelming. Whether a case requires filing an insurance claim or a full lawsuit is necessary, hiring an experienced Lafayette attorney could be a great benefit to victims and their families. Call today for more information.
