There are thousands of car accidents across the United States every year. The victims of those accidents have a chance to receive redress for their injuries and other damages. In a successful car accident lawsuit, the plaintiff’s legal team proves that the other driver was at fault and establishes the extent of the plaintiff’s losses. In most cases, Louisiana car accident attorneys offer a free case evaluation to determine if a claimant has enough evidence to pursue a case.
Types of Compensation in Car Accident Lawsuits
An experienced Louisiana accident attorney is invaluable at helping plaintiffs determine such liability and damage facets through collecting witness statements, police reports, traffic camera records, and other investigative reports. In the state of Louisiana, claimants can obtain compensation from several avenues, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Wages lost from the time of the accident forward and the loss of future earning capacity
- Medical bills incurred from the time of the crash ahead and any future medical bills
- Medical adaptive and assistive devices
- Home modification due to disability
- Emotional distress effects, such as insomnia, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and so forth
- Loss of consortium / spousal relations due to disability
- Loss of enjoyment in life, such as being unable to participate in recreational activities and hobbies due to disability
- Loss of companionship in wrongful death cases where a significant other died
- Funeral and burial expenses in wrongful death cases
Louisiana law only allows personal injury claimants one year from the date of injury to file suit, so it’s imperative that victims contact an attorney immediately. Most victims of personal injury begin pursuing liability claims once they’ve completed treatment, received medical bills, and obtained a property damage estimate. The sooner you work with an attorney, the better the chances will be of obtaining what you deserve.
At-Fault Drivers in Louisiana
There are also factors that work to decrease the probability of a successful car accident lawsuit and limit the settlement potential. In the State of Louisiana, the main factor is the degree of fault. The state operates under pure comparative negligence law, meaning damages can be collected by plaintiffs even if they’re 50 percent or more at fault for the injury.
The amount of settlement, however, is reduced based on the fault level of the plaintiff. For example, if a court finds a plaintiff was 75 percent responsible for an accident, they have the power to reduce the original award to a fourth of what it was.
Car accident settlement awards can vary from several thousand dollars to multi-million-dollar amounts. So many complex factors go into a car accident settlement in Louisiana that it is best to consult with an experienced car accident attorney. Remember, the time starts ticking the moment the accident happens. Immediate action is imperative to protecting plaintiff rights.
Louisiana Car Accident Attorneys
Orum Young Law Offices has over 35 years of law experience. Our team of attorneys is passionate about ensuring the protection and safety of Northeast Louisiana drivers. Contact our office at (318) 303-4194 for a free case evaluation. Our Trial Guarantee ensures that we will take your case to trial.
