Injuries from a car accident can have a big impact on your life, and the financial consequences can be significant. It can be difficult to focus on the bills you incurred from medical treatment and the wages you lost while also dealing with the effects of a serious injury.
If you need legal assistance after a car accident, do not hesitate to contact Simien & Simien for professional representation. Our Baton Rouge car accident lawyers have the skills and experience you need to negotiate with insurance companies representing negligent drivers. We know how to build a case against a negligent driver and will help you pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
Investigating Your Accident
To recover compensation after an accident, you will need to prove the other driver is liable for your injuries. An attorney will investigate your car accident to find out how it may have been caused and what the other driver was doing before and during the collision.
Furthermore, your attorney will examine your claim to determine if the accident may have been caused by another driver’s negligence. This will require several factors to have been present at the time of the accident:
You were owed a duty of care to ensure your safety by the at-fault driver
The at-fault driver failed to fulfill the duty of care you were owed, breaching this duty
The breach of duty directly caused your injury
You suffered measurable damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages, due to your injury
Based on your attorney’s findings, he or she will be able to identify which party is at fault for your accident and is liable for providing you compensation.
Building a Case
One of the most important aspects of hiring an attorney is that he or she knows how to build a case to support your claim. Your attorney will work to find evidence that shows the other driver caused the collision and is responsible for your injury. Some evidence our attorneys may use includes:
The accident or police report taken by law enforcement
Images or video footage of your accident taken by nearby cameras, if available
Medical records detailing your injury and the treatment you may require
Testimony from medical specialists who can describe how your injury may affect your life
Testimony from vocational experts who can describe how your injury may prevent you from working certain jobs
Testimony from an accident reconstruction specialist to describe how the accident occurred
The at-fault party’s driving record to show a history of traffic violations or reckless driving
Pictures depicting the damage done to your vehicle and the at-fault driver’s vehicle
Pictures of the accident scene to show factors that may have contributed to the collision
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Pursuing compensation after a car accident will likely involve insurance companies and attorneys who represent the at-fault driver. It is important to remember that insurers are not working in your best interest and are focused on saving money. Insurers may achieve their goal by denying your claim or reducing its value by arguing that you are partially at-fault or that your injuries were pre-existing.
When you work with our attorneys, we will negotiate with insurance companies and fight for your best interests. We have extensive experience negotiating with insurers and are familiar with their tactics.
Additionally, we will communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. If you are required to provide a statement about the accident, we will advise you on how to talk with an insurance adjuster.
Negotiating a Fair Settlement
Knowing the value of your claim is important to ensure you receive the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages and other financial losses you suffered. Understanding the amount of compensation you deserve is crucial when negotiating a fair settlement.
Our attorneys will examine several factors about your claim to accurately value your claim and avoid low initial offers. Factors that impact the value of your car accident injury claim include:
The cost of your past and future medical treatment
The wages you lost while recovering from your injury
The future income you would have earned had you not been injured
The effect your injury may have on your ability to live a functional and independent life
Pain and suffering you experienced after the accident
Loss of ability to participate in the activities or hobbies you enjoyed before the accident
Emotional distress you experienced after the accident
How your injury has affected your relationship with your spouse, partner or loved ones
Knowledge of Louisiana’s Car Accident Laws
Your attorney will also have extensive knowledge of Louisiana’s laws related to personal injury claims and negligence. An experienced attorney will use his or her understanding of the law to help ensure your case is handled efficiently and fairly.
This includes making sure your case is filed within Louisiana’s one-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, as stated under La. Civ. Code § 3492. If you do not bring your case within the one-year deadline, it will likely be dismissed.
Furthermore, your attorney will know how to use Louisiana’s comparative fault law that assigns percentage of fault to each party involved in a car accident. Your attorney will use his or her understanding of comparative fault to make sure you are not unfairly blamed for causing the accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a car accident caused by another’s negligence, contact Simien & Simien’s personal injury lawyers in Baton Rouge. We are dedicated to helping accident victims recover the compensation and justice they deserve.
All of our services are provided on a contingency fee basis. We do not charge upfront legal fees when we represent you and only require payment if we recover compensation on your behalf. Do not hesitate to schedule a free, no obligation consultation to find out if you have a case.
