After being involved in a Lafayette car accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed by your medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs as you heal from your injuries. You may also be uncertain and would like some help deciding what to do next in pursuit of your compensation to recover from your losses after the accident. You are not the first person to find themselves in this position. The team at Morris Bart, LLC is here to help.
If a negligent driver caused your accident and injuries, you have the right to hold them responsible for their actions and pursue compensation for your losses.
Morris Bart, LLC offers a free, no-obligation evaluation for Lafayette car accident victims. If you decide to become a client, know that we work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing out of pocket unless you collect a settlement or award. Simply put, we do not get paid unless you do.
You have nothing to lose by contacting a Lafayette car accident lawyer. To find out your options for recovering compensation after your Lafayette car accident, contact Morris Bart, LLC now at (337) 446-4571.
Common Causes of Lafayette Car Accidents
There are a variety of negligent behaviors that cause car accidents in Lafayette. Some of the more common types of causes include:
- Distracted driving: There are a number of different behaviors that can distract a driver from the road, including eating, applying makeup, talking to passengers, or changing the radio. One of the most dangerous, though, is texting and driving, as it takes the driver’s hands, focus, and eyes off the road.
- Drowsy driving: It is hard to know the exact number of accidents caused by fatigue and drowsy driving, as there is no way to test for this after an accident; however, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration estimated that it caused approximately 91,000 police-reported accidents in 2017. This behavior is so dangerous, in fact, that the National Safety Council has pointed out that going without 20 hours of sleep and then driving is the equivalent of driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08%.
- Driving under the influence: When someone drives while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it impacts their perception, balance, and coordination. It also can give them an inflated sense of confidence, which can increase the likelihood of an accident.
- Reckless driving: There are a number of behaviors that constitute reckless driving, including tailgating, speeding, rapidly changing lanes, failing to signal, or disregarding stop signs and traffic signals.
For a free legal consultation with a Car Accident lawyer serving Lafayette, call 800-537-8185
Types of Injuries That Occur from a Car Accident
There are numerous injuries that someone can experience as a result of a car accident. However, there are a few that are particularly common, including:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and Other Head Injuries
This type of injury occurs because of a sudden blow or jolt to the head. They can cause a loss of consciousness, memory loss, vomiting, seizures, and depression. In mild cases, the victim may experience only a brief loss of consciousness. In severe cases, though, they may experience permanent side effects that affect memory, hearing, and emotional functioning.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury can be traumatic for both the family and the victim, as many people who have incurred a spinal cord injury require wheelchairs and other assistive devices after an accident. This type of injury occurs when damage happens directly to the spinal cord during an accident, often causing immobility or impaired movement below the site of the injury. In extreme cases, victims experience complete paralysis after their accident.
Whiplash
Whiplash is extremely common after a car accident, especially a rear-end collision. This type of injury occurs when the head moves rapidly back and forth, hurting the neck. While whiplash usually goes away within a few weeks with treatment, there are some patients who suffer for months or even years because of whiplash. Anyone who believes they have whiplash should be seen by a medical professional to rule out any other possible injuries, such as broken bones or tissue damage.
Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-537-8185
Recoverable Damages After a Car Accident
Every accident is different, and so there is no way we can estimate the types of damages that you might be able to recover in your car accident. However, we have worked on many cases like yours, and some damages victims are commonly able to recover include:
- Medical expenses, including surgical procedures, doctor’s examinations, medical treatments, and the cost of assistive devices
- Lost wages
- Future wages if you have lost your ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or dismemberment
- And possibly more
If your family member died as a result of the accident, you may be able to recover damages like:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support and protection
- Wages and benefits previously provided by the deceased
To learn more about the damages you could receive following your Lafayette car accident, call Morris Bart, LLC at (337) 446-4571 for a free review of your case by a Lafayette car accident lawyer.
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Laws That May Impact Your Claim
Two laws you should be aware of are the statute of limitations and the law of comparative negligence.
Statute of Limitations
Many states have a statute of limitations that allows between two and five years to pursue compensation. In Louisiana, though, anyone who wants to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for their losses after a car accident must file their claim within one year of the date of the accident.
Comparative Negligence
This law is in place to allocate damages in the event that multiple parties are found responsible. According to comparative negligence, if you are partially responsible for causing the accident, any compensation that you are awarded will be reduced by your degree of liability. In other words, if you are 40% responsible, your compensation will be reduced by 40%.
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A Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Contact the team at Morris Bart, LLC to help take some of the burden off your shoulders. While you give yourself time to heal from your injuries, we can build a strong case to pursue compensation. We can gather evidence, establish liability, calculate the value of your case, and negotiate with the insurance company to the fullest extent of your injuries. To find out what options you have for recovering compensation, contact us today at (337) 446-4571.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
