Filing a lawsuit against those responsible for your injuries can be overwhelming if you do not have the right resources, industry knowledge, and legal experience. It can also be time-consuming and confusing, especially when the liable party’s insurance company offers a settlement.
We recommend you seek the advice of a Lafayette personal injury attorney from the Morris Bart law firm to take care of all your legal needs in Louisiana. It’s best to call us immediately after your accident, preferably before you’ve spoken to the at-fault party’s insurer.
Is It Worth Getting a Personal Injury Lawyer?
In cases of serious accidents and catastrophic injuries, you may want the help of a Lafayette personal injury attorney. However, if the damage was moderate and the injuries weren’t critical, you may not be sure if getting a lawyer is worth the time, money, and effort.
It may not be worth getting a lawyer in every case, but it is always worth scheduling a free consultation to learn more about your options. If your claim meets the three elements of standing to sue, you may have a valid case.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Lafayette, call (337) 446-4571
How Much Money Can I Get from a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Your Lafayette personal injury lawyer may be able to recover damages for economic and non-economic damages. How much money you will get in your settlement will depend on your injury-related expenses. Here are some of the results we’ve secured for our clients:
- $852,845 for the victim of a car accident
- $650,000 for the victim of a drunk driver
- $640,000 for a plaintiff who was injured at work
- $550,000 for the victim of a hit and run
- $490,000 for the victim of a truck accident
- $430,000 for the victim of a bicycle accident
During your initial consultation, you will speak to a member of our team who will assess your damages and give you an estimate of your potential settlement.
Personal Injury Attorneys Take a Percentage of Your Compensation As Payment
Many injury victims appreciate that they don’t have to have the money upfront to pay their personal injury attorney in Lafayette, LA. Instead, they will pay for the lawyer’s services via a contingency-fee agreement. This means the law firm covers the costs upfront, then they get a percentage of your settlement when your case is won.
Simply put, if you don’t win, you don’t pay attorneys’ fees.
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What Kind of Cases do Personal Injury Lawyers Handle?
A variety of situations can cause an individual to suffer an injury. These are some of the most common reasons people work with Lafayette personal injury lawyers:
- Slip and fall accidents: People may get hurt when an individual or entity fails to take proper safety measures, such as putting out a wet floor sign when there is a slippery hazard.
- Medical malpractice: Healthcare providers must adhere to a standard of care. Failure to do so may result in wrongful death, emotional distress, disability, or permanent damage.
- Workplace accidents: Employees can sustain injuries when employers fail to maintain a safe working environment. Due to the nature of certain jobs, such as working on a construction site, it is critical to observe workplace safety precautions.
- Animal bites or stings: The law requires pet owners to be responsible for their pets. Otherwise, they can be held liable if their dogs cause a bite injury.
- Product liability claims: Manufacturers and distributors are required by law to make safe products for consumers. They also have a duty to warn customers about the dangers associated with using their products.
- Motor vehicle accidents: Driving under the influence, distracted driving, speeding, failure to perform routine maintenance checks, and hiring negligent drivers are a few of the most common reasons for car accidents.
- Trucking accidents: Truckers are required by law to follow certain rules while operating a commercial vehicle. They must keep logs of their trips, ensure they are properly insured, and follow other regulations. In addition, they must also comply with federal laws regarding service hours.
- Injuries sustained during recreational activities: Boating, skiing, snowboarding, horseback riding, and even mountain climbing can lead to a traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injuries, or other injuries.
- Motorcycle accident injuries: Motorcyclists are required to wear helmets and obey traffic laws. If they fail, they could be held liable for causing an accident.
How Long does It Take to Get Compensation After an Accident?
The amount of time it takes to obtain compensation after an accident depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury. If you were injured due to medical malpractice, it could take years before you receive compensation. However, if you were involved in a car crash, it may only take a few weeks.
The first step in obtaining compensation is filing a claim with your insurance company. You will need to provide them with proof that you have been injured and what caused the accident. A personal injury lawyer will then help you file a lawsuit against the person who was at fault.
This includes filing paperwork with the court system, gathering evidence, and preparing a case.
Compensation for Fatal Personal Injury Accidents
When a personal injury accident involves death, the decedent’s family may be able to recover punitive and monetary damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. The monetary compensation a personal injury lawyer in Lafayette can recover includes:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of society
- Loss of companionship or loss of consortium
- Loss of future income
- Funeral expenses
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering of the decedent before death
You Need to File Your Personal Injury Lawsuit on Time
Every state has lawsuit filing deadlines known as the statute of limitations. In Lafayette, you have only one year to file a personal injury lawsuit, per La. Civ. Code Art. 3492. If you do not file your lawsuit on time, you may miss your chance to seek compensation.
Certain exceptions to the statute of limitations could further limit the amount of time you have to take action. We recommend getting started on your case as soon as you can.
Immediate Steps to Take Following a Personal Injury Accident
If you or a loved one sustain injuries due to the negligent actions of another person or entity, you should take the following steps. By doing so, you are one step ahead in building a solid case against the responsible parties.
- Visit the doctor: We recommend that you visit the doctor immediately after the accident—regardless of how you feel. While some injuries are visible, others are internal or will manifest later.
- Take photographs: If you can move after the accident, try to take video or photographs of the scene. Doing this will preserve the hazardous conditions that led to your injuries.
- Get emergency care: Emergency treatment is often necessary to stabilize any injuries you have suffered. Make sure to get immediate medical attention if you require it.
- File a police report: After the accident, make sure to fill out a police report. This will allow you to collect important information from the other party, such as their name, address, license plate number, and contact details.
- File a complaint with the local authorities: In most cases, the local authorities will investigate the accident and determine whether there was negligence. It is also likely that they will issue citations to the responsible party.
- Gather additional evidence: Identify anyone who witnessed the accident and obtain their contact information and address. You must preserve your clothes and footwear as soon as you get home, so store the items in the same condition they were in when the accident occurred.
- File an incident report: If the accident occurred at a business establishment, we recommend you find the manager and file a report. If it involved an attack, call the police, file a report, and ask for copies of all reports.
- Seek legal advice: Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. This way, you can begin collecting information about the accident, such as the names and contact details of witnesses and the cause of the incident. If you consider taking legal action, we can help you recover damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
When a Personal Injury Lawyer from Morris Bart, LLC Works for You
Our personal injury lawyers represent people with psychological or physical injury due to the negligent actions of other people or entities. When you hire us, we will handle communicating with the insurance companies and represent you at the negotiating table. There are many things we can do to help you win your case.
A few services we provide include:
- Assessing your case and evaluating its merit: This service will help us to weigh your legal options and build a solid case.
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence to support your claims: We may interview witnesses and call on experts in specific fields to testify.
- Helping you to recover damages: Recoverable damages would include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering
- Filing your claim: We will file claims against the insurance companies and negotiate with them on your behalf.
Evidence that Can Be Used to Support Your Personal Injury Case in Lafayette
Whether you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance claim, evidence can help support your case. You do not have to gather this evidence alone, as our experienced attorneys are prepared to handle this task for you. Our accident lawyers can gather evidence such as:
- A police report
- Photos or videos from the scene of your accident
- Your medical records and bills
- Receipts or invoices from a vehicle repair shop, if applicable to your case
- Statements from lay and expert witnesses
- Accident scene reconstruction
If you have any evidence that you think may help your case, bring it to your Lafayette personal injury attorney.
Morris Bart, LLC Will Fight for Financial Compensation for You
When you hire us, we will get to work immediately, and you will finally have the time to focus on your emotional and physical well-being. A Lafayette personal injury lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm will protect clients’ legal rights and help them recover maximum compensation.
Our personal injury law firm has years of experience representing victims of car accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, slip and fall injuries, and more. Call now to discuss your case with a team member to learn more about our legal strategies.
Questions?Call us, Louisiana.
(337) 446-4571
