Being involved in a collision can be incredibly stressful for those involved, as you’ll have many considerations to make. Immediately following the collision, there are several matters you’ll need to handle, from calling emergency services to reporting the accident to your insurance. Because there may be confusion regarding who is at fault, it’s in your best interest to connect with a Monroe, Louisiana car accident lawyer. Keep reading to learn the answers to some questions you may have regarding car accidents in Louisiana and why connecting with an attorney is critical.
What Are the Statutes Surrounding Car Crashes in Louisiana?
Louisiana is an “at-fault” state, meaning the driver determined liable for the accident will be held responsible for their negligence. This differs from “no-fault” states, where drivers must have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to help cover their medical expenses. In “at-fault” states, most negligent drivers will deny wrongdoing to avoid financial responsibility. As such, the injured driver seeking compensation must prove fault.
Additionally, Louisiana is a comparative negligence state. Essentially, this means that your percentage of fault in a collision will influence the compensation you recover. For example, if you are deemed 10% responsible for an accident, the award you receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault, which, in this case, is 10%.
What Are the Responsibilities of a Car Accident Attorney?
When injured in a car accident, you have many things to worry about, from managing your daily responsibilities to healing, which can be stressful enough. However, when you add a lawsuit on top of that, things can become overwhelming. As such, enlisting the assistance of an attorney can ease the burden you’re facing as they will handle the legal complexities of this matter.
One of the primary responsibilities of an attorney is to gather and review evidence relevant to your case. This includes analyzing security footage, photos, accident reports, medical records, and witness statements.
Additionally, your attorney has the information necessary to accurately determine the value of your accident claim. This will help them negotiate to ensure you can receive the best settlement for the damages you’ve endured because of the collision.
What Compensation Can a Lawyer Help Me Recover?
When seeking compensation following an accident, it’s necessary to understand the compensation you may be entitled to. Generally, this could be economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are any quantifiable losses you’ve suffered, such as medical bills or lost wages, while non-economic damages reflect emotional losses you may endure because of the collision.
Recovering compensation by yourself can be challenging, as dealing with insurance companies and defense attorneys may be overwhelming. However, connecting with the dedicated team at Breithaupt, DuBos, & Wolleson can help ensure you have legal representation to fight for you every step along the way. Reach out today to learn how we may be able to assist you during these matters.
