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Lafayette Car
Accident Lawyer

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Were you hurt in a car crash

that wasn’t your fault?

Our skilled Lafayette car accident lawyers can help you pursue damages from the responsible
party (or parties) and work to secure full compensation on your behalf.
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What do I do after being
in a crash?

If you get into an auto accident in Lafayette, try to remain calm — that way, you can get the help you need to treat any injuries you suffer as quickly as possible. Here are things you should do in the moments after you get into an auto crash.

Check yourself and your passenger(s) for injuries

If possible, get to a safe spot on the side of the road, away from traffic. Make sure that you and anyone else in your vehicle are OK. You can also check with any other motorists involved in the crash to ensure that they are safe.

Call 911 and ask for an ambulance and the police

Medical professionals and police officers will come to the accident scene. Medical personnel will treat you and anyone else who was injured, and police officers can get information from those involved and use it to put together an accident report.

Gather evidence at the scene

Use your smartphone to snap photos and videos of your injuries, damage to your car, and other evidence from the accident scene. Get the contact information from the driver who caused your crash and any accident witnesses, too. Each piece of evidence that you collect now can serve you well if you ultimately decide to submit a personal injury claim.

Notify your insurance company

Reach out to your auto insurer to tell the company about your crash. Stick to the facts as you share information about the crash with your insurer. Do not take responsibility for the accident.

Seek medical attention

Resist the urge to “tough it out” after your accident. Instead, go to a doctor, get a medical evaluation, and follow any treatment instructions that they provide. Keep track of any medical bills that you receive, as you may be able to request compensation for them as part of a personal injury claim.

Meet with a car accident attorney in Lafayette

Set up a date and time to discuss your crash with a car accident lawyer in Lafayette, LA. Share any legal concerns or questions you have with the attorney. From here, the attorney can let you know if they can take on your case.

How much does it cost to hire a car accident attorney in Lafayette?

The cost of hiring a car accident attorney in Lafayette is based on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t owe any upfront fees. Instead, your attorney will only be compensated if they successfully win or settle your case. They typically receive a percentage of the settlement or court award you receive.

Rules for reporting a crash in Louisiana

You are legally required to report an auto accident in Louisiana if anyone suffers an injury or dies or if the damages that occurred in the crash total $500 or more. To comply with Louisiana’s rules for crash reports, it is generally a good idea to call 911 to report your crash right after it happens. This allows you to immediately report your accident and bring medical professionals and police officers to the scene.

How long do I have to file a claim?

In Louisiana, there is a one-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. If you get hurt in an auto crash caused by a negligent motorist, you have up to one year from the date of your accident to sue for damages. By partnering with an auto accident lawyer in Lafayette, you can quickly file your personal injury claim.

What are my options if I don't have auto insurance?

Louisiana has a “no pay, no play” law in place for motorists who get into a crash but don’t have insurance. If a negligent motorist crashes their car into your vehicle, but you have no insurance, you are solely responsible for any damages. However, you can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault motorist and request compensation for any damages that you have incurred.

What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?

The “no pay, no play” law applies to all drivers in Louisiana. If the driver who caused your crash does
not have insurance, you still have the option to sue them for damages. To put yourself in the best
position to secure compensation, it pays to hire a Lafayette car accident lawyer who knows the ins
and outs of Louisiana’s legal system.

TYPES OF CASES WE HANDLE:

Rear-End and Head-On Collisions: Handling cases where drivers collide either from behind or directly facing each other, often due to distracted driving or speeding.
  • Head-On Collision: A head-on collision occurs when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions crash into each other's front ends, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities due to the combined force of impact.
  • Jackknife Accident: In a jackknife accident, typically involving a large truck, the trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab, often blocking multiple lanes and causing significant traffic disruption.
  • Multi-Car Accident: Multi-car accidents, also known as pile-ups, involve three or more vehicles and can result in a chaotic scene with multiple points of impact and potential injuries to numerous parties.
  • Rear-End Accident: Rear-end accidents happen when a vehicle crashes into the one in front due to tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden braking, often causing whiplash injuries to the occupants of the impacted vehicle.
  • Sideswipe Accident: Sideswipe accidents occur when two vehicles traveling in the same direction make contact along their sides, often resulting in minor damage or loss of control, especially at high speeds or in tight spaces.
  • T-Bone Accident: T-bone accidents, also known as broadside collisions, happen when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another, often at intersections, resulting in significant damage and serious injuries due to the limited protection on the impacted side.
  • Truck Accident: Truck accidents involve commercial vehicles such as semis or tractor-trailers and can result in devastating consequences due to their size and weight, often leading to severe injuries, fatalities, and extensive property damage.

What types of compensation can I
claim for a car crash?

You can request compensation for damage to your car, your medical bills, and other losses relating to your
crash. Our top-rated car accident lawyers in Lafayette can help you calculate your damages. They will
encourage you to pursue the maximum amount of compensation — and may be able to help you get any
of the following types of damages.

Economic damages

A judge or jury can award economic damages for losses that you can quantify. Some of the most common forms of economic compensation awarded in car collision cases include damages for auto repairs and medical treatments. Your lawyer will work with you to add up all of your economic losses.

Non-economic damages

You may be able to receive non-economic damages based on pain, suffering, and subjective losses that you suffer. A car accident attorney in Lafayette can help you figure out how much to request in non-economic compensation. Then, they can build an argument designed to compel a judge or jury to award you the non-economic damages that you request.

Who's at fault for
the collision?

One or more parties may be at fault in your car crash. To determine who is at fault, it helps to work with a Lafayette car crash attorney. You and your lawyer can review your case — and when you do, may find that any of the following parties may be responsible for your collision.

A government entity

If a government vehicle causes a crash or if a neglected public road leads to an accident, you might be able to sue the government for damages.

Another driver

If another driver causes your accident, you can file a claim against them, seeking damages ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars based on your losses.

Other parties may be liable

In an Uber or Lyft accident, you can sue both the driver and the ridesharing company. Likewise, in a bus collision, the bus company may be held responsible, with a car crash lawyer helping identify liable parties.

How do you prove liability?

Proving liability in a car collision can be tricky. Four elements of liability must be present. These are:
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The at-fault party must have a duty of care to act carefully around you and anyone else. For example, a driver is expected to operate their vehicle per Louisiana law. This duty of care applies to every motorist in Louisiana.

A party breaches their duty of care when they are negligent. For instance, a driver may travel faster than the posted speed limit and get into an accident. In this scenario, the driver violated their duty of care to you.

You must be able to show that the breach of a duty of care led to your accident and any injuries that you suffered. This requires you to present evidence to support your case. Your lawyer can help you gather photos, videos, and other evidence to illustrate that the defendant’s breach of their duty of care led to your crash.

You must be able to illustrate that you suffered damages due to the defendant’s breach of their duty of care. A car crash lawyer can review your damages. They can present an argument that explains to a judge or jury why you deserve 100% of the damages that you are requesting.

What happens if both drivers are at fault?

The concept of “pure comparative negligence” applies in Louisiana. This means you can recover damages from anyone who contributed to your accident, even if you are 99% at fault for your car crash. Your lawyer can go over comparative negligence with you and help you show a judge or jury that the other driver is fully responsible for your collision.

We fight the insurance company to get you maximum compensation

We make it easy to submit an auto accident claim. We can connect you with a Lafayette car accident attorney who learns about your case and does everything they can to help you get a fair settlement. For more information, please get in touch with us.

Common causes of car accidents in Lafayette

Car accidents are reported in Lafayette every day. These accidents vary in terms of severity. They happen for many reasons, such as the following.

Distracted driving

If a motorist takes their eyes off of the wheel, they can cause a distracted driving crash. 

Unsafe driving practices

Speeding, running red lights and stop signs, and other unsafe driving practices can lead to accidents.

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Any driver who operates under the influence of drugs or alcohol can lose focus and cause an accident.

Faulty or broken traffic lights

If a traffic light does not work properly, it can contribute to car crashes.

What are the most dangerous roadways in Lafayette?

Highway 90 is considered to be one of the most dangerous roadways in Lafayette. On average, there are nearly 30 fatalities reported on this highway every year. Other dangerous roadways in Lafayette include:

  • West Congress Street
  • Ambassador Caffery Parkway
  • Johnston Street
  • West Pinhook Road
  • Kaliste Saloom Road

Common car
accident injuries

You can suffer a minor or serious injury in an auto accident. Following your car crash, get medical help, so you can treat any injuries that you have suffered before they get any worse. Here are some of the injuries commonly reported in auto accidents:
  • Amputations
  • Burns
  • Broken bones
  • Bruises
  • Concussions
  • Whiplash
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

"Dos" and "Don'ts" of dealing
with insurance after a crash

If you are worried about what to do when you speak with your insurer after your
crash, you are not alone. Here are the dos and don’ts that you need to know.

"Dos" when dealing with insurance

Dealing with an at-fault motorist’s auto insurance company can be a hassle. If the driver responsible for your crash has their insurer call you, be cautious. Here are do’s to follow to minimize your risk of potential mistakes.

"Dos" when dealing with insurance

Simple “yes” and “no” answers to questions about who you are and what happened during your accident will suffice.

Do refer them to speak with your attorney

When in doubt about how to answer a question, let the insurance company spokesperson know to contact your attorney, and share your lawyer’s contact information with them.

"Don'ts" when dealing with insurance

Much in the way that there are many things that you should do when you speak to an at-fault driver’s insurance company, there are several things that you should avoid at all costs. If you know what not to do, you can once again protect against mistakes that otherwise put your lawsuit at risk. Here are three don’ts you need to consider.

Don't post anything about the incident on social media

Keep your social media posts to a minimum, since the defendant in your lawsuit may search X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and other social media platforms for photos or posts that can compromise your claim against them.

Don't give statements without an attorney

Do not say anything unless your attorney gives you the green light to do so.

Avoid using the word "accident"

The driver who crashed their vehicle into your car was negligent. If you call your crash an accident, you may inadvertently be admitting that you share some of the blame for the incident.

Why do I need to go to the doctor after a crash?

There is no telling how severe your auto accident injuries may be. You may also suffer injuries without even realizing it. By going to a doctor, you can undergo an assessment, get a diagnosis for any injuries, and receive treatments as needed.

Our Lafayette car accident
attorneys are ready to help

We’re ready to help you obtain a settlement that lines up with your
expectations. We can discuss your case and help you file your auto accident claim right away.

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