In 2019, there were 71,500 people injured and 690 people killed in auto-related incidents as reported by the Louisiana State University Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety. If you or a loved one was a victim, we will protect your rights under the law.
Anyone who is injured in an accident that was caused by negligence deserves compensation, and so do you. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Louisiana, let our Shreveport car accident attorney help. We will negotiate with insurers to get your damages covered.
Why Is Negligence So Important in Car Accident Cases?
Negligence, put simply, is behaving at a lower level of care that an ordinary person would in the same situation. When someone acts with a lower level of care for others, it opens everyone up to harm.
Distracted driving, such as adjusting a radio station or using a cellphone, is one form of negligence. An ordinary person wouldn’t take their eyes off the road. Additional negligent behaviors that may qualify in your case may include:
- Tailgating
- Failing to yield to oncoming traffic
- Running a red light
- Speeding
- Driving while drunk or under the influence of one or more drugs
- Changing lanes abruptly or without signaling
If we can prove someone else was negligent and that their lack of care led to your injury, you could be able to collect compensation for your losses. However, you’ll need to speak with a personal injury lawyer in Shreveport to know how much you could get.
For a free legal consultation with a Car Accident lawyer serving Shreveport, call 800-537-8185
Establishing Fault in a Car Accident Claim
Your personal injury attorney will aim to prove that the defendant acted negligently and must pay compensation for your injuries. Your attorney may do this by:
The Duty of Care of the Defendant
Every motorist is legally required not to put others—other motorists, passengers, and pedestrians—at an unreasonable risk of harm. This is the motorist’s “duty of care.” The first thing to prove is that they were under this duty when you were injured.
Show They Failed Their Duty of Care
A motorist can put others at an unreasonable risk of harm, as we talked about above. A breach could be speeding, driving drunk, engaging in distracted driving, or any number of other types of driver negligence.
Prove a Link Between Their Failure and Your Injury
The goal is to show that your injuries or loved one’s death were the result of the automobile accident and that the defendant caused or contributed to the accident in question, which may be enough to establish causation.
Argue for Damages
When we negotiate your settlement, we will fight to get you the maximum amount of compensation possible in your circumstances. A car accident lawyer in Shreveport will give you an estimate before taking your case.
Shreveport Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-537-8185
Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are recovering from personal injuries or grieving the death of a loved one after a car crash, a lawyer can handle the legal burden of pursuing damages. No one should have to face insurance attorneys without legal help.
Even if you have recovered, an accident lawyer can help you with:
- Starting your case in the courts as soon as possible.
- Discussing your case with you to get the facts of the matter.
- Collecting and documenting all available evidence of your auto accident and injuries.
- Consulting with your doctor to understand your injuries and medical history.
- Independently interviewing witnesses to the car accident to back up your account.
- Fulfilling all the legal duties necessary to complete your case.
- Protecting your rights throughout the legal process.
A Shreveport car accident attorney can do the legal heavy lifting while you focus on recovery. It’s hard enough to do that without worrying about how to handle a lawsuit, and your opponents are more skilled and less injured than you are. Let us handle it instead.
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What Should I Ask a Lawyer During My Consultation?
The first thing is to choose a lawyer in your city or state with experience in your kind of case. You do not want an inexperienced lawyer if you can help it. During your consultation, ask questions like:
- How will you communicate with me about my case, and how often?
- What is your contingency percentage?
- Are there other fees I need to be aware of before hiring you?
- Were you able to win previous cases like mine?
- Do you have testimonials and references?
- What will you need me to do to help you win the case?
On top of this, you need to have a good rapport with your lawyer. If a lawyer makes you feel uncomfortable or you don’t get along, that’s not a good sign. It is perfectly fine to tell a lawyer you’re exploring your options.
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How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
You have a deadline to file a lawsuit. Under La. Civ. Code Article a 3492, the statute of limitations for both wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits is one year from the date of the injury or death. There may be exceptions to these statutes with minors or people with permanent disabilities.
You must act quickly after your accident to file. Don’t wait around thinking you’ll file later after you recover. The sooner we act, the sooner you can finish worrying about it and your future. Plus, evidence can disappear and witnesses’ memories of the accident can fade. You could have a stronger case if you allow us to get to work immediately.
What Damages Could I Get from a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Each traffic accident has unique circumstances that dictate what forms of compensation you can receive. Your damages could include the following recoverable compensation:
- Medical bills from the care you received following your car accident
- Lost wages for the time missed from work
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages order against the defendant by the court
If someone you loved passed away in the vehicle accident, you could recover damages in a wrongful death claim, such as:
- Loss of financial protection for you and your family with the absence of your loved one
- Loss of companionship, such as a spouse or companion
- Loss of guidance and comfort for the children of the deceased
- Funeral costs
As in every case, you could be entitled to additional car accident compensation depending on the specifics of your claim. These are just the most common form of damages, but there are others that could apply to your case.
You Pay No Upfront or Out-of-Pocket Fees
Many injury victims are hesitant to get a lawyer’s help as they believe they can’t afford legal services. We understand that hesitancy, but with our firm, there’s no need to worry about paying for a lawyer.
You pay nothing up front or out of pocket upon hiring us. We only get paid attorneys’ fees if we win your case, and those fees come from your earnings. You and your lawyer will agree on the contingency fee before working together, so there are no surprises. If we are not successful, we do not get paid our fees. There is no significant financial risk.
Call Morris Bart, LLC Today
It is our goal to help you get any personal injury compensation that you are entitled to receive because of your injuries or your loved one’s death. Call a Shreveport car accident lawyer today at the Morris Bart law firm by clicking the phone button at the top of your screen.
After a car accident, your focus should be on physically and financially recovering, but that can be hard to do when you’re dealing with a legal claim. Let us take care of the legal aspects of your case to take the burden off of you.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.