Port Allen Personal Injury Attorney
Experiencing an injury after a traumatic accident can be life-altering and bring a lot of uncertainty and stress to you and your family. To make sure you receive as much compensation as possible, consider working with a skilled Port Allen personal injury lawyer. They can explain the complexities of personal injury law in a way that applies to your case.
Port Allen Personal Injury Lawyer Committed to Your Case Success
With almost thirty years of experience, our Murphy Law Firm prides itself on building personal relationships with clients. This allows us to provide them with a unique approach for every case, including common types of personal injury cases like car accidents, truck accident, motorcycle accident cases, slip and falls, and product liability. We are committed to making the resolution of legal problems easier by traveling to our clients and offering dedicated support throughout the process. Our attorneys work hard to build a strong case for clients and increase their odds of success.
How Does the Personal Injury Process Work?
The process might work differently, depending on the type of injury, but many cases follow a similar format.
- In the immediate aftermath of an injury, it’s important to document as much as you can. This includes seeking medical attention to make sure any diagnoses or injuries are reported in a medical record. Taking photos, collecting statements, and gathering other documentation about the accident is also important. This can support your claim and help determine who is at fault or liable for your accident.
- Once enough evidence is gathered, it’s a good idea to work with a personal injury attorney. Discuss your case with them to figure out if it’s legally viable or not. An attorney can explain the laws regarding your case and provide guidance when filing a claim. They can also gather more evidence and build a stronger case than most people can on their own.
- After the details of your case have been fleshed out, your attorney can help you file a claim with your local court or the one that’s appropriate for your case. Drafting an effective complaint can be difficult without legal experience. It requires details about the incident, what injuries happened as a result, and how much compensation the victim is seeking.
- After the initial claim is filed, the defendant will likely reach out to negotiate a settlement agreement. This can either be done by the defendant themselves or by their insurance company. If you work with an attorney, they can protect your rights while negotiating a fair settlement. Most personal injury claims result in a successful negotiation and settlement.
- If a settlement isn’t reached beforehand, then the case might go to trial. Before the case is actually heard, the discovery process begins. This is where both parties give each other information and collect further evidence in many different ways. This process can take several months because both sides want their case to be as comprehensive as possible before the trial occurs.
- The trial itself is an event where both the defendant and the plaintiff present their arguments and show evidence to support them. Trials can take a long time, and both sides must be fully prepared and have a detailed strategy.
- After the trial, the judge or jury issues a verdict stating who won the case. If the plaintiff wins the case, then they are compensated for the damages they sustained as a result of the accident. These damages are then received and distributed by the attorney after deducting their portion of the settlement amount.
Every case is different, which is why it is so important to work with an attorney. They can work with any problems that happen in your case and attempt to reach an effective solution and help you to understand the damages you can consider for claim in a personal injury accident.
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
Personal injury law is complicated and differs by state. A Port Allen, Louisiana attorney can help you understand the details of the law and how it applies to your situation. They can also make sure you’re meeting requirements when filing paperwork with the court and communicating with insurance adjusters or other attorneys.
Many victims of personal injury scenarios also do not know how to calculate an appropriate amount of money to compensate themselves for their injuries. Personal injury lawyers do this regularly and are experienced in adding up all the potential losses from an injury, including both tangible and intangible elements of the accident.
It can be stressful to negotiate with insurance adjusters, especially when they are trying to pay as little as possible for your accident. The negotiation skills of an attorney can come in handy when dealing with insurance companies, as they can make sure you receive a fair settlement. If you receive a lowball offer, an attorney can represent your interests to maximize your payment.
Virtually every personal injury claim needs lots of evidence for it to be taken seriously by an insurance company or judge. Even if a victim has some documentation, they likely don’t know how to gather all the appropriate evidence for their claim. An attorney’s credibility and influence can allow them to obtain surveillance footage or testimony from witnesses or professionals. This can save time so you can focus on other aspects of your case and life.
How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Attorney
One of the most important parts of any personal injury case in Louisiana is choosing the right attorney. There are many qualities that make a good attorney, but three of the most critical are the following:
Experience
Look for one who has a lot of experience in personal injury law. They should have a long history and positive record of handling these types of cases. If you’re still unsure, ask them if they have worked on any cases that are similar to yours and achieved a positive outcome for their client.
Communication
Another element to look for in an attorney is their communication skills. Personal injury law is complicated, so an attorney should be able to explain concepts to you in a way you understand them. They also need to keep you consistently updated about the progress of your case. They should answer any questions you have so you can feel comfortable and at ease. A high level of communication can help you make educated decisions about your case.
Compassion
It’s normal to feel stressed and overwhelmed when experiencing a personal injury that’s severe enough to require compensation. That’s why it’s a good idea to look for a compassionate attorney who can empathize with your situation. They can listen to your issues and concerns, offer reassurance, and be patient when explaining solutions. A lawyer who is genuinely concerned for your well-being is generally more motivated to help you achieve success in your personal injury case.
FAQs
A: Louisiana does have pain and suffering laws. These laws are meant for accident victims to recover damages involving the pain and suffering they experienced as a result of the incident. Pain and suffering damages include:
- The effects of physical pain
- How a disability caused by your injuries affects your daily life
- The injury’s effect on your mental health
A skilled and experienced attorney can calculate an appropriate amount of pain and suffering compensation to seek in your case.
A: Serious bodily injury in Louisiana usually involves a more severe injury that requires immediate medical attention. This can include:
- Unconsciousness
- Extreme pain
- Disfigurement, like an amputation or severe burns
- Losing the function of an organ or body part
Any injury that places the victim at risk of death is also considered a serious bodily injury. This term is used to determine how severe an injury is and how to recover compensation for it.
A: Immediately after an accident, make sure that everyone involved is safe. Move to a safe location, and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Take photos, write down contact information and other details, and get information from witnesses and potential defendants for evidence. Make sure to record the scope of the damage and your injuries caused by the accident. Next, file a claim with your insurance company, and work with an attorney to learn more.
A: The value of a personal injury claim is calculated based on many different factors, including how severe the injury is. The worse the injury, the more likely it will hamper the ability of the victim to live a normal life, leading to a higher value. This includes compensation for medical expenses and other tangible costs, but it can also include compensation for the intangible mental effects of an injury. The value of a claim can be calculated by a personal injury attorney.
Get Professional Legal Defense for Personal Injury Claims
Working with an attorney can make your personal injury case more manageable. Our experienced and dedicated attorneys can stand up for your rights and make sure justice is served. Schedule a consultation with Murphy Law Firm today. We can offer you a detailed perspective on your case and steps on how to approach your journey to compensation.