If you were hurt in a crash caused by someone else, you have the right to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. The Johnson Firm is ready to help you recover every cent of what you deserve. Call (337) 294-0203 or contact us online to schedule your free case consultation.
Car accidents are more frequent and dangerous than ever. Many drivers engage in distracting behaviors such as texting or talking on the phone, which can significantly increase the likelihood of a crash.
While you can’t control what other drivers do on the road, you can control what you do if you’re ever in a crash. Follow these simple tips to protect your rights and best interests post-collision.
Moving your vehicle to a safer location, such as the shoulder or a nearby parking lot, can help prevent additional collisions and can reduce the risk of further injuries or damage. That being said, you should only exit or move your vehicle if it’s safe to do so.
Even minor collisions can cause serious injuries. Checking yourself and your passengers for injuries will help you assess the need for emergency medical attention and ensure that appropriate emergency personnel are dispatched to the scene.
Call 911 to inform the police of the accident and to request emergency medical personnel. Tell the dispatcher the location of the accident, the number of vehicles involved, any serious injuries, and any immediate hazards such as if any of the vehicles are on fire.
By providing your account of what happened, you can ensure that your version of events is accurately recorded and considered during any subsequent investigation or legal cases.
You should be honest, but it’s crucial that you don’t say anything that could ultimately work against you. This means never admitting to any responsibility. You might not know exactly how the accident happened – but that’s fine. Don’t guess that you might have done something wrong when you’re actually unsure of what happened. If you do, it could be difficult for you to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Notifying your insurance company can help your personal injury lawsuit as it will be an additional record of the accident and damages you sustained. Your insurer might provide some coverage to pay medical expenses or repair your car while your claim against the at-fault driver is pending.
Other than stating the facts of the accident, you shouldn’t provide any more information. If you even hint that you could be at least partially to blame, that will make it much harder to obtain full compensation.
You can take pictures or videos of the involved vehicles, the road, the surrounding area, and any hazards that might have played a role in causing the accident, and you can document anything in a note that you can use to build your case.
Some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Failure to seek medical attention could worsen injuries, potentially leading to more serious health issues down the line. For example, soft tissue injuries and head injuries might not show symptoms for a few days. If you don’t get prompt and proper medical help, your recovery could be much longer than it needs to be and you might not reach a full recovery.
Seeking medical attention after an accident can also strengthen your case as it creates an official record of your injuries, necessary treatments or therapies, and the potential need for long-term care.
It’s essential to meet with a skilled car accident lawyer to understand your legal options. Car accidents can result in severe injuries, property damage, and significant financial losses.
Our team can help you understand your legal rights and options, including pursuing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The statute of limitations, or deadline, for filing a car accident lawsuit in Louisiana is only one year from the date of the wreck. Failing to file within the required timeframe can prevent you from receiving compensation for your injuries, property damage, or lost wages resulting from the accident.
The word “damages” in personal injury cases means the financial losses you’ve suffered due to the wreck. Damages typically fall into one of two categories – economic and non-economic.
These damages are meant to compensate an injured person for financial losses resulting from the accident, such as:
Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are meant to compensate for losses that don’t necessarily come with a bill attached. These damages, which include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, are more difficult to calculate because they vary based on the facts of each individual case. A skilled attorney can help you calculate what these damages should be based on your specific case.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, one or more parties may be liable (responsible) for your injuries.
The other driver involved in the accident may be responsible if they were driving negligently or violating traffic laws. If the accident was caused by a defective vehicle or part, the manufacturer or distributor could be held responsible.
In order to receive compensation for your car accident, there are four elements that must be established to prove negligence. Here are the ways our experienced car accident lawyers prove negligence.
All those who occupy a road must adhere to local traffic laws created for the safety measures of everyone on the road. Failure to meet the duty of care for another driver is proven when establishing that the driver did not follow the laws and regulations of the road which resulted in the accident.
After it has been proven that you were owed a duty of care, our lawyers will prove that the actions caused by the driver violated that duty. Common actions that can result in violation:
Causation is the link between the accident and the injuries. To prove causation, the following are considered:
To receive compensation to recover the costs caused by the crash, our lawyers will help prove that they were caused by the accident.
Our team will build a strong case to prove liability and damages. We’ll handle the negotiations with the insurance company and will take your case to court if they refuse to settle for the amount you deserve. Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you – work with an attorney who will fight for your rights.
Car accidents can be devastating and impactful, causing injuries of many severities. A car accident injury can be “hidden,” such as a concussion or internal bleeding. Other injuries are more obvious, such as a broken bone, wound, bruising, and more.
Here are some of the common injuries seen in car accidents that we’ve helped our clients receive compensation for:
When you work with us on your car accident lawsuit, you won’t have to pay a dime out of pocket because we work on a contingency basis. We’ll only receive compensation if your case is successful.
It is important to seek medical attention immediately after you’ve been involved in a car accident to determine a proper diagnosis. If you think you’re okay, still make an appointment to speak with a doctor. Some injuries may not be noticeable initially.
Not seeing a healthcare professional can lessen the chances to receive compensation to cover the medical costs of your injuries. It can also impact the recovery time for your injuries and possibly make them worse. With insurance claims, many insurance providers require that you go to a hospital or urgent care within a specific time frame in order to be eligible for coverage
You won’t find a team of Lake Charles car accident lawyers who are more passionate – or more effective – than those with The Johnson Firm. Our track record of success speaks for itself, so get in touch with us as soon as you can so we can get to work on your behalf.
Schedule your free consultation by calling (337) 433-1414.
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