Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Providing Dependable Legal Services for Car Accident Clients
Car accidents range in seriousness from minor fender benders to major collisions, but even seemingly small car accidents can have lasting consequences. There are many factors involved when it comes to the injuries sustained in a car accident, including the speed of travel, the angle of impact, and the type of vehicle involved.
During such challenging times, having compassionate and skilled New Orleans car accident attorneys can provide the support and guidance you need.
At Hammond Law Firm, LLC, we understand the challenges and complexities that arise in the aftermath of a car accident. Our team of compassionate motor vehicle accident lawyers is dedicated to providing water-tight legal representation and advocating for the rights of motor vehicle accident victims in Louisiana.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation for legal advice & a case review.
Our Practice Areas Cover:
- Car Accident Claims
- Personal Injury
- Wrongful Death
- Insurance Claims
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims
We also focus on personal injury in car accidents resulting from drunk driving, collisions, and hit-and-run situations. If you’re looking for legal advice, our New Orleans car accident attorneys would be more than happy to provide you with a confidential consultation.
What are Some Common Car Accident Injuries in New Orleans?
- Whiplash and/or neck injuries
- Bone fractures
- Cuts, scrapes, and bruises
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Internal organ damage
- Concussions/head injuries
- Loss of limb
- Torn ligaments
- Blunt force trauma
- Fatalities (wrongful death)
In addition to the physical injuries sustained in an auto accident, many individuals suffer some degree of emotional trauma as well, such as PTSD. This can greatly affect your ability to return to your normal, everyday activities and may even lead to the development of a fear of driving.
Contact us online to set up your free car accident case evaluation with our motor vehicle accident lawyers today! We will help you understand your legal rights and options as well as determine whether you have a case.
Seeking Compensation After a Car Accident in Louisiana:
How Many Paths Lead to Justice?
When it comes to car accident claims, there are several routes you can take to seek compensation. Depending on the circumstances of your crash and specific damages incurred, our experienced New Orleans car accident attorneys may be able to pursue a claim through:
- Personal Injury Claims:
Suppose you sustain injuries in a car accident due to the negligence of another party. In that case, you may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, emotional & physical pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.
- Wrongful Death Claims:
Suppose a loved one suffers death due to a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence. In that case, certain family members may be eligible to file a claim and seek restitution for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, emotional distress, and other related damages.
- Property Damage Claims:
Suppose your personal vehicle or other property is damaged in a car accident caused by another driver. In that case, you may seek compensation for repair or replacement costs.
- Hit-and-Run Claims:
Suppose you are injured or your property is damaged in a hit-and-run accident. In that case, you may still have options for compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage or by identifying the responsible party.
It is recommended to consult with skilled New Orleans car accident attorneys to understand the specific conditions and legal options available in your case.
How Much Compensation Can One Secure in A Car Accident Claim?
In car accident cases in Louisiana, there are certain limits on economic and non-economic damages that can be awarded to the injured party. These limits are set by law and vary depending on the specifics of the case:
- Economic Damages:
These refer to the tangible financial losses suffered by the injured party, such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other quantifiable financial losses. Louisiana has no statutory limit on economic damages, meaning the injured party can seek full compensation for these losses.
- Non-Economic Damages:
These are more subjective and include compensation for emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, psychological trauma, and other intangible losses.
In Louisiana, there is a cap on non-economic damages in certain cases. The limit is set at $500,000 for most personal injury cases. However, suppose the injured party can demonstrate that they have suffered a catastrophic injury, such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, or severe brain damage. In that case, the limit increases to $750,000.
It’s advisable to consult with our experienced New Orleans car accident attorneys, who can provide specific guidance based on the details of your case and help you understand the potential limitations and compensation you may be entitled to.
Please contact us & schedule a free consultation & case review today!
Did A Loved One Suffer a Wrongful Death Following a Car Accident?
Losing a loved one in a car accident is a very tragic event. In many instances, inebriated, reckless, intoxicated, and negligent drivers have caused fatal car accidents and uprooted loving families with grief & trauma.
In such cases, if a family member passes away due to another driver’s negligence, the surviving family may be entitled to seek compensation for their loss through a wrongful death claim.
The claim allows the deceased’s family to pursue justice and financial recovery for funeral expenses, medical bills, lost future income, emotional distress, pain, and suffering, and pursuing such a claim can help provide some financial relief and a sense of justice. It is important to consult with reputable New Orleans car accident attorneys who understand wrongful death cases.
Fortunately, the team at Hammond Law Firm, LLC is experienced in fighting such tragic cases to secure compensation & get the closure these families need. Contact us today to discuss your case and find out how we can help you.
Bad Faith: A Challenge Presented by Insurance Companies
One thing to consider is that insurance companies often conduct their own investigations when determining liability in an accident. And it’s important to recognize that their assessment may not align with your version of events. Therefore, securing legal counsel from established New Orleans car accident attorneys would be wise.
Insurance firms are motivated by their own financial security & interests and may attempt to minimize their liability or deny your claim altogether. This behavior, known as “bad faith,” occurs when an insurance company fails to act fairly and honestly in handling claims.
It is essential to be aware of this possibility and seek legal representation to protect your rights & ensure you secure the compensation you deserve.
What Should You Do If You Are Injured in A Car Accident?
Following a car wreck, do the following as soon as possible:
- Make sure you and everyone else involved is okay, and call an ambulance if needed. Do not be embarrassed to ask for help or admit you have been hurt. Your well-being should be your first priority.
- Check if anyone has hit their head, chest, knees, or other parts of their body against anything in the vehicle. Impacts against steering wheels, dashboards, and other car parts can cause serious injury.
- If the car accident was particularly bad, call an ambulance. You may suffer from internal bleeding or other conditions that are not immediately visible to the human eye.
- Call the police. Call the police and wait for them to arrive. Cooperate with the officer and remain polite and calm. The officer can do his or her job better if you are clear and responsive to the questions. Also, make the officer aware of any witnesses to the accident.
- If you make a personal injury claim with an insurance company without a police report, you may run into trouble. The other driver may dispute the facts, and if the evidence is ambiguous, the insurer may only offer relatively limited compensation.
- Take the names, numbers, and addresses of any witnesses to the auto accident. Witnesses often do not want to be involved, but it is important for you to take down the information of anyone who saw the auto accident. Witnesses can corroborate the car accident facts, helping you access the compensation you may be entitled to.
- Take pictures. Record the damage to all vehicles involved before they are moved. After the automobiles are moved, most of the evidence is lost. Take photographs or a video of the point of impact, street debris, vehicle damage, and any physical injuries sustained. Make sure to record nearby traffic signs and lights for identification purposes.
- Call an experienced New Orleans personal injury lawyer before contacting an insurance adjuster. The insurance company will want to take down your statement, even if you have already filed one with the police. They will attempt to record your statement and ask you a long series of questions that you may not fully understand or be aware of their significance.
The personal injury lawyers in New Orleans at Hammond Law Firm can help you prepare for this statement and can even attend the questioning with you.
What Are The Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
Car accidents in New Orleans can result in serious injuries and extensive property damage. Victims often need medical treatment and cannot work for some time following the car accident. In the most tragic car accident cases, car wrecks can lead to permanent disabilities and wrongful death.
Suppose you are involved in an automotive accident. In that case, you may be entitled to damages to financially compensate you for your pain, property damage, lost wages, medical expenses, and other damages.
Here are some key areas where a New Orleans car accident attorney can help you:
1. No-Fault Insurance:
Although Louisiana Civil Law recognizes the comparative fault system, it does not have a traditional “no-fault” insurance system. Instead, it follows a “fault-based” system, meaning that the at-fault driver is legally answerable for the damages resulting from the car accident.
2. Statute of Limitations:
It is crucial to initiate legal proceedings within a year of the date of the accident, as failing to do so may result in the claim being time-barred.
3. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage:
Louisiana law requires auto insurance policies to include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. That coverage protects you if you are involved in a vehicular accident with an uninsured motorist or whose coverage is insufficient to compensate you for your damages.
4. Seat Belt Use:
Failure to wear a seat belt can impact a car accident claim in Louisiana. While it does not prevent a person from recovering damages, the jury may consider the injured party’s failure to wear a seat belt when determining the amount of compensation.
These are just a few examples of the legal nuances specific to car accidents in Louisiana. It is important to consult with knowledgeable New Orleans car accident attorneys to understand how these laws apply to your case and to protect your rights.
For free legal advice and a case review, please schedule a consultation with us today!
Our New Orleans Car Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Fight for You!
A New Orleans car accident attorney from Hammond Law Firm, LLC can guide you from start to finish while helping you maximize your compensation. Our New Orleans legal team has the experience and the knowledge to effectively represent you and/or your loved ones in an auto accident case.
The personal injury lawyers at Hammond Law Firm, LLC will coordinate with your physician and other healthcare providers to determine and review all the medical aspects of your car accident case. Our detailed knowledge of Louisiana automotive regulations, liability, and insurance law will help you get fully compensated for your personal injury case.
Our legal team can provide decisive guidance and knowledge on what steps to take immediately following the incident. From protecting one’s rights and gathering evidence for insurance cases to understanding financial responsibility for damages and filing an injury claim, our New Orleans car accident lawyers’ experience is critical when navigating accident legislation.
Having a skilled car accident law firm by your side will ensure the process is handled professionally and with finesse.
Experience and knowledge are of great importance when choosing a car accident attorney, and we have a history of over 25 years of successfully winning car accident cases for wrongfully injured Louisianians.
Contact us now to schedule your free accident case review and learn more about your legal rights.
