A: The statute of limitations on a car accident in Louisiana is a time limit on how long you can file a civil claim in court. Most car accident claims are handled through insurance companies, which have shorter time limits to file a claim after an accident. The civil statute of limitations is important to keep in mind while negotiating an insurance settlement. If the insurance company refuses to give you a fair settlement based on your injuries and other damages, then it may be in your interests to file in court.
Plaquemine Car Accident Lawyer
Plaquemine Car Accident Attorney
Car accidents are a frequent cause of personal injury. Anything from minor fender benders to severe collisions can cause costly injuries and lead to frustrating insurance negotiations. When you are injured, it can be even more difficult to handle the situation. The process of filing an insurance claim is much easier with an experienced Plaquemine car accident lawyer by your side. Legal support can resolve a claim more quickly so you can focus on returning to your life.
Providing Skilled Legal Support for Car Accident Victims
For over 30 years, Murphy Law Firm has supported those who have been injured in car accidents because of another person’s negligence. Our team works to investigate accident causes, gather evidence of fault and damages, and negotiate fair and beneficial settlements. We focus on personal injury cases, so we understand the complex requirements of treating and securing damages for numerous types of injuries.
An injury can be overwhelming and painful. Murphy Law Firm understands the stress that one can endure after a car accident. Our team can provide you with compassionate support during this situation. We aim to make the process easier and get you the most compensation available to you as quickly as possible.
Different Types of Motor Vehicle Collision Claims
There are many types of car accidents, and many of them require unique methods of investigation and securing compensation. At Murphy Law Firm, we are experienced in some of the following collisions involving motor vehicles:
- Car Collisions: When two or more passenger vehicles are involved in an accident, one or more of the drivers are typically at fault. Many negligent actions or inaction can lead to an accident, and this can make the negligent party liable. There may be other causes of a car collision, however, such as poorly maintained roads or dangerous and defective car equipment.
- Truck Collisions: Collisions involving commercial trucks and smaller vehicles can cause catastrophic injuries, disability, and death. The claims for these accidents are complicated for many reasons, including the high cost of damages, the many parties who could have acted negligently, and dealing with the insurance adjuster of a commercial trucking company. Your attorney should be well-versed in these complexities.
- Drunk Driving Accidents: Many accidents are caused because a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When this occurs, the driver can face criminal charges in addition to civil claims if they were at fault. Negligence by an impaired driver may also result in exemplary damages in a civil claim.
- Distracted Driving Crashes: When a driver is not focused on the road, they are more likely to cause an accident. Distracted driving is a common cause of car collisions. Unfortunately, it can often be difficult to prove that a driver was distracted. It’s important to work with a legal team that can conduct a thorough investigation to determine liability.
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Collisions: When bicyclists or pedestrians are involved in an accident with a passenger vehicle, they can suffer severe injuries. Navigating these motorcycles claims and proving fault requires support from a skilled attorney.
Whether you are filing an auto insurance claim or a civil claim, an attorney makes the process much easier. Murphy Law Firm can work hard to help you recover.
Fault and Liability in a Car Accident
The party that is at fault for an accident is liable for the resulting damages that others involved suffered. Even if it is clear who was at fault for the collision, you must gather evidence to prove this. Fault can also be complicated and contested. The insurance providers of all involved parties will conduct an investigation with the intention of lowering their own level of liability.
When a driver is at fault for an accident, it is typically due to negligence. They may have been distracted, failing to follow the laws of the road, or otherwise not taking proper care. If these actions directly led to the accident, they can be held liable for your damages. Working with an attorney can be critical, as it is important to have an investigation conducted by another party who is looking out for your interests, not their bottom line.
When an investigation has clear evidence that the other party was at fault and you were not, your claim is more likely to be resolved quickly, out of court, and with the most compensation possible. Getting this clear evidence is much easier with legal representation.
What Damages Could Be Recovered in an Accident Claim?
The damages that are recoverable in an insurance or civil claim could include any of the direct losses you suffered as a result of the collision. These exact damages will depend on your own injuries and property losses.
An accident claim can usually recover economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are losses with a financial value attached, while noneconomic damages are emotional or psychological losses. Economic damages could include:
- Medical bills, such as ambulance travel, surgery, doctor’s visits, medication, hospital stays, and medical devices associated with your injuries
- Future medical needs, such as long-term care, physical therapy, or mobility aids
- Property damage, such as the costs to repair or replace your vehicle and other items inside
- Lost wages if your injury prevents you from working for some time
- Disability wages if you have been disabled by a car accident and can only work limited hours or cannot work at all
Noneconomic damages are often related to the severity of your economic damages, and these may include:
- Physical pain
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Disability or disfigurement
Some car accident claims may also have exemplary damages, such as punitive damages. There are rare cases when these damages are awarded, with the intention of punishing the at-fault party.
Calculating all these damages is not easy if you have never done it before. Many injured individuals severely underestimate the cost of their damages and accept a lowball settlement as a result. While adding up the costs of your medical bills, repairs to your vehicle, and expected wages may be straightforward, estimating future costs can be more difficult.
An attorney has done this many times and likely worked on cases with injuries like yours. This gives them important experience in:
- The likely costs of future care
- The complications that are common with the type of injury you sustained
- The effect it may have on your employment
An attorney is also incredibly beneficial for determining a fair cost for noneconomic damages. Working with a legal professional in Plaquemine, LA can help you get the maximum compensation possible while preventing you from being unable to cover future costs.
FAQs
Q: What If a Car Accident Claim Exceeds Insurance Limits in Louisiana?
A: When a car accident claim exceeds insurance limits in Louisiana, the at-fault driver may be personally liable for the remaining costs. The driver who was not at fault may be able to recover the remaining damages from their own uninsured/underinsured driver coverage. If these two insurance policies do not cover the extent of the injured party’s damages, then they may file a personal injury claim in court to recover the rest of the costs. It’s important to talk through the available routes for compensation with an attorney.
Q: Is Louisiana a No-Fault State?
A: Louisiana is an at-fault state for car accidents, not a no-fault state. Under these laws, it’s important to determine the party or parties that are at fault for a car accident. When fault is established, the others involved in the accident can file an insurance claim with the adjuster of the at-fault party. That driver’s policy will be used to cover costs like property damage, medical treatment costs, and other losses.
Q: Should I Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident in Louisiana?
A: You should hire an attorney after a car accident in Louisiana, as they can significantly improve the likelihood of a successful insurance claim. You are also more likely to recover a higher-valued settlement. An attorney can also limit your stress, as they can handle complicated issues like calculating your claim and negotiating with the insurance adjuster. A car accident attorney also has experience investigating accidents to determine their cause and which party was at fault. Strong evidence will make a claim easier to resolve.
Car Accident Attorneys in Plaquemine, Louisiana
A car accident can have numerous personal and financial consequences. If another party is to blame for the collision, you should not have to shoulder these costs. With the support of the experienced team at Murphy Law Firm, you can determine your options for compensation and take the time you need to recover while we navigate the claims process. You can protect your financial future by contacting Murphy Law Firm today.
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