Zachary Car Accident Lawyer

Zachary Car Accident Attorney

Even the most careful drivers can become victims of car accidents in a matter of seconds. A split-second event can result in consequences that can take months or even years to resolve. The personal injury claims process after an accident can seem complicated, especially to those without any legal experience. This is why it is so important to contact a Zachary car accident lawyer to assist you with the process.

Protect Your Interests After a Car Accident

Our efficiency and advocacy are what make us stand out at Day Law Group. We fight for our clients because we understand how it feels to not be taken seriously by an insurance company after experiencing a traumatic car wreck. We have recovered many high-value settlements for our clients, and our firm offers compassionate, straightforward legal services to those who have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence.

Navigating the Aftermath of a Car Accident

A car accident in Zachary, LA is usually quite sudden and can leave victims unsure of what to do in the aftermath. Once emergency services are called, a police report is generated. When you get back home from the incident, it’s usually a good idea to make sure that certain things are taken care of as soon as possible to maximize your compensation when filing a claim.

Investigating and Gathering Evidence

Once a claim is filed, multiple parties will begin investigating the crash. This might include local law enforcement, your attorney, and the insurance companies involved in the accident. They use evidence like police reports, photos or videos of the accident, and information from witnesses to determine who might be liable for the accident. It might be possible that a car manufacturer or government entity is to blame due to defects or issues with the roads.

Get a Medical Evaluation

If you have not been evaluated by a medical professional at this point, do so as soon as possible. This can generate more evidence that can help prove your injuries to an insurance company, along with other records like employment documents. If you wait too long to be seen by a doctor after an accident, an insurance company might claim that your injuries are exaggerated and not as serious as you claim they are.

Consult an Attorney

It is generally a good idea to speak with an attorney before an insurance adjuster tries to contact you. This can help you avoid making critical mistakes that might impact your compensation. If an insurance company gives you an offer quickly, review it with an attorney to make sure it is appropriate for the damages that you experienced.

Why Do I Need an Attorney?

By working with an attorney, you can send your insurance company a demand letter outlining who caused the accident, the injuries you suffered, and how much you are requesting in compensation. This can encourage the insurance company to take you more seriously in the negotiation process.

If their representatives give you a denial, they will usually do so in writing. An attorney can review this letter with you to explain the reason for the denial as well as how to respond. In some cases, a denial might get overturned with additional evidence, but a formal appeal is often necessary to address the denial. Either way, an attorney can assist with the process and tailor your response in a way that can force the insurance company to pay attention to it.

If a negotiation is agreed upon, then a settlement is paid out. If an exact amount cannot be agreed to, then it might be necessary to file a case in court to request payment for your injuries. An attorney can start the discovery process by gathering all the possible evidence that can be used in your claim, which might take several months to do. They can also engage in mediation to attempt to resolve the case before it sees the courtroom.

While most personal injury claims do not end in a trial, an attorney is a vital resource in the event of a legal battle. Seeking legal representation for your personal injury claim is a great way to get your case taken more seriously by an insurance company, resulting in improved settlement amounts and faster communication times.

What Might I Be Entitled To?

Depending on the severity of the accident, a victim of a car accident might be compensated for a wide variety of damages. This compensation can cover the expenses resulting from a crash, including:

• Medical Expenses: Car accidents can cause serious injuries, including traumatic brain damage, broken bones and bruising, and severe back problems. These injuries are often expensive to recover from and might require physical therapy for months or years after the accident. If an individual is not expected to make a full recovery from their injuries, then a maximum amount of recovery can be established.
• Earning Capacity and Wages: If a victim of a car accident is unable to work as a result of their injuries, then they might be able to recover damages in the form of lost wages. This might also apply to future earnings if the accident gave them a permanent disability that limits their ability to work.
• Noneconomic Damages: These types of damages refer to losses that are difficult to quantify. Certain emotional aspects of a car accident, like mental anguish or pain and suffering, could result in monetary compensation. While no amount of money can truly compensate for the stress, anxiety, and pain that an accident might cause, it might help the victim and their family mentally and emotionally recover.
• Damage to Property: One of the most obvious forms of property damage in a car accident is to the cars involved, but property damage also includes other forms of property, like homes or businesses that were damaged in a collision. This might include funds to make repairs to vehicles or replace them entirely if they are too damaged to be fixed.
• Wrongful Death: In some unfortunate circumstances, an individual dies as a result of a car accident. Even if the victim is not alive to file a claim, their family might be able to file one on their behalf to recover the expenses associated with the funeral and the losses that the family might experience. There are detailed rules on who can file a wrongful death claim, so contact an attorney to learn more about this process.

Regardless of the amount of compensation that you or your family might qualify for, it is important to speak with an attorney if you are considering filing a claim. They can give you a better idea of the damages involved in your case and how much you might expect from a settlement.

FAQs About Zachary, LA Car Accident Laws

Q: What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?

A: A car accident lawyer can help gather evidence to support your claim. They can retrieve medical records, police reports, and more to help you recover damages. An attorney can speak to an insurance adjuster for you to encourage them to pay the money that you are owed. If they are unable to reach an agreement with an insurance company, a lawyer can help file a court case to recover damages. They can also represent you in a legal trial.

Q: Why Is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long?

A: A car accident settlement can take a long time to resolve if the injuries are severe and require a lot of proof. It can also take longer if there are multiple vehicles and/or drivers involved in the accident because this can make determining who was at fault difficult. An insurance company can also intentionally spend more time on a claim than necessary to potentially avoid paying out damages. For more information on your claim, contact a personal injury attorney.

Q: What Happens When a Car Accident Claim Exceeds the Insurance Limits in Louisiana?

A: If a claim exceeds the insurance limits in Louisiana, a driver who is held at fault for the accident might be expected to cover the costs that exceed the insurance limit. The other driver(s) might be able to sue the one deemed to be at fault for additional expenses that are not covered by an insurance policy. This is why it is important to consider additional coverage when selecting a car insurance policy in the event of a large crash with high damage amounts and medical costs.

Q: Who Is Liable Following a Car Accident?

A: Multiple people can be found liable following a car accident in Louisiana. The amount of damages you can collect might be affected by how much you are determined to be at fault for the accident. This figure is determined by official documents, like police reports, as well as insurance companies, so it is important to have as much evidence as possible to support your claim. Contact an attorney for assistance with gathering evidence for your car accident claim.

Don’t Lose Out

Louisiana is strict on how long victims have to file a claim after an accident occurs. If individuals wait too long, they could miss out on significant compensation that can be used to help them recover from their losses. This means that it is extremely important to contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible after a collision to meet any time limits or deadlines associated with your claim. Schedule a consultation with Day Law Group today to learn more.