Big River Trial Attorneys

BR over a blue banner that says Big River

Personal Injury

Personal Injury

What To Do After Getting In Bicycle Accident In Louisiana

/

What To Do After Getting In Bicycle Accident In Louisiana Riding a bike is not only a lot of fun but it’s a great physical activity. There are also lots of people who ride a bike as an economical option to costly gas-guzzling automobiles. Riding a bike has lots of benefits rather than driving a car, but it can be risky. Bicycle collisions take place frequently and when they do occur, they can cause grave injuries to the rider. Most severe injuries take place when a vehicle moving at a speed of 40 MPH or quicker strikes a bicyclist, but serious injury can occur at any speed. The most typical injuries that a bicyclist receive are fractures, trauma to the head, back and neck injuries, internal injury, as well as bruises and cuts. Head injuries can include everything from a moderate concussion to something as serious as a traumatic brain injury. Here’s what you should do right after a bicycle accident: Contact The Authorities: You should always report the accident. The police will study the accident, talk to witnesses and create an accident report. Go To The Emergency Room: It is vital that you obtain medical care following a bicycle accident, even if you are not in pain. There can be an internal injury that may be severe in addition to other injuries that might not be obvious right away. Talk To An Attorney: An attorney experienced with bicycle accident injuries will be able to help you understand your rights and what claims you may have. A negligent party is responsible for medical costs and property damages that resulted from the collision. Avoiding Bike Accidents Preventing an accident is the greatest way to be unharmed on a bike. Both bicyclists and car drivers are responsible for being safe on the road. Bicycles need to obey the rules of the road just as well as automobiles. Bicycle riders need to always move along with traffic and they also need to be at the far-right side of the street. Additionally, if there is a bike lane, vehicle motorists must not be in it. Bike riders need to follow traffic signals and as well, and they always need to use hand signals for any turn or stop. Car drivers must watch out for bike riders and be aware of them at intersections. Bike riders need to wear a helmet and protective gear, this includes the right footwear as well as reflective clothing when riding at night. Helmets can safeguard a head from a severe injury during a crash. Head injuries are a common serious bicycle injury and can be fatal. If you wear a helmet you will lessen the seriousness of the collision. If a bicyclist is hurt in a collision with a motorized vehicle, the injured person might be due compensation. If the vehicle driver was negligent, the injured victim may be owed recompense for medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and property damage. You Need An Accident Lawyer In Louisiana The accident lawyers at Big River Trial Attorneys understand how to look at accident cases to help determine the cause. This information lets us build a case to gain compensation for a victim of a collision. If you have been injured in an accident in Louisiana, Big River Trial Attorneys will help. Our experienced attorneys have the experience to handle every case. It is vital to call a Louisiana accident attorney after your accident. Your attorneys for injury serving Augusta can then put together evidence in your case and work to make sure you get the compensation that you deserve. The negligent party is responsible for your medical bills and other damages like lost wages, pain, and suffering. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the more likely you are to get a fair settlement. Call us at (225) 963-9638 to discuss your case and your injuries, and learn about any compensation that you could be entitled to. With the help of Big River Trial Attorneys, you or your loved one will get the help you need. Don’t wait, contact us today.

Personal Injury

Proving Negligence in a Multi-Vehicle Accident in Louisiana

/

Proving Negligence In A Multi-Vehicle Accident In Louisiana Oftentimes collisions take place with two vehicles, but at times, multiple vehicles are involved. When several cars are part of a crash, it can be difficult to figure out who is negligent and at-fault for the accident. The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration states that there are at least 5.25 million accidents in the United States every year. Unfortunately, most people are likely to participate in a collision at least once in their lifetime. So how is fault determined after a multi-vehicle accident in Louisiana? How To Determine Fault After A Multi-Vehicle Collision Despite however many vehicles are engaged in a collision, there will likely need an investigation into the accident to realize exactly how the collision took place. Multiple vehicle collisions are more tricky than collisions that involve only two cars. However, there are tools to help determine which driver was negligent and at fault. The data that an insurance company or the court system considers after an accident includes police reports, witness accounts, photos of the scene, and any injuries that are incurred due to the collision. At times an accident reconstruction is established to help figure out what actually happened right before and during the accident. While it may be assumed that the driver who was in the rear of the collision is at-fault, that may not actually be the case. Multiple reasons can cause a crash. When there are several vehicles involved, this complication increases tenfold. There may be more than one driver who is negligent or to blame for the accident. Multiple-vehicle accidents are extremely complex. You may need to hire an experienced attorney for your claim. Filing a claim can help you to win the legal battle and to get the compensation for the injury caused. A lawyer can look at the information, talk to witnesses, and investigate the scene of the collision. An attorney can use information to prove negligence against the other driver or drivers that were involved in the accident. You Need An Accident Lawyer In Louisiana The accident lawyers at Big River Trial Attorneys understand how to look at accident cases to help determine the cause. This information lets us build a case to gain compensation for a victim of a collision. If you have been injured in an accident in Louisiana, Big River Trial Attorneys will help. Our attorneys have the experience to handle every case. It is vital to call a Louisiana accident attorney after your accident. We can then put together evidence in your case and work to make sure you get the compensation that you deserve. The negligent party is responsible for your medical bills and other damages like lost wages. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the more likely you are to get a fair settlement. Call Big River Trial Attorneys to discuss your case and your injuries, and learn about any compensation that you could be entitled to. With the help of Big River Trial Attorneys, you or your loved one will get the help you need. Don’t wait, contact us today.

Personal Injury

How Do You Define A Catastrophic Injury In Louisiana?

/

How Do You Define A Catastrophic Injury In Louisiana? Car collisions and other kinds of accidents can cause severe injuries. But what is considered a catastrophic injury? Catastrophic injuries are injuries so serious that they can create a long-term handicap. Catastrophic injuries have an extreme effect on a person’s life as well as the lives of his or her family. These kinds of injuries usually include a mental or physical impairment or even a life-long deformity. If you have experienced a catastrophic injury due to a car collision or other type of accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault negligent party. You should contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away. The Kinds Of Catastrophic Injuries Here are injuries that are considered serious enough to be called catastrophic – including: Traumatic brain injury or TBI Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis Permanent Brain damage Loss of limbs or amputation In addition, any injury that creates a loss of motor skills or motor function can be deemed catastrophic. Of course, paralysis and brain damage are obviously devastating. However, there are other examples of catastrophic injuries, such as that the injured party needs to use a cane or wheelchair for the rest of their lives. With the catastrophic injury, some people never actually heal, while some face partial recovery. In extreme cases, a person could require full-time medical and physical assistance for the rest of their life or for a long recovery period. Because of this, the injured party may not be able to go back to work and suffer from loss of income. Who Is Entitled To A Settlement? If you are injured due to the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to recompense for damages that you have suffered. What is the first step? The first step is to figure out what caused the accident and who was the responsible party. Negligence is defined as that the person breached the duty of care or cause harm. To prove the negligence of the other party, you must demonstrate that the party resulted in your injury. Some damages that you can recover in a personal injury case for a catastrophic injury are: Medical costs Lost wages Future medical costs Mobility devices like wheelchairs or personal assistance Temporary medical care or permanent medical care Psychological trauma counseling It is smart to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after suffering a catastrophic injury. You Need An Accident Lawyer In Louisiana The accident lawyers at Big River Trial Attorneys understand how to look for accident cases to help determine the cause. This information lets us build a case to gain compensation for a victim of a catastrophic injury. If you have been injured in an accident in Louisiana, Big River Trial Attorneys will help. Our experienced attorneys have the experience to handle every case. It is vital to call a Louisiana accident attorney after your accident. Your attorney can then put together evidence in your case and work to make sure you get the compensation that you deserve. The negligent party is responsible for your medical bills and other damages like lost wages, pain, and suffering. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the more likely you are to get a fair settlement. Call Big River Trial Attorneys to discuss your case and your injuries, and learn about any compensation that you could be entitled to. With the help of Big River Trial Attorneys, you or your loved one will get the help you need. Don’t wait, contact us today.

Personal Injury

The Differences Between Truck And Car Accidents In Louisiana

/

The Differences Between Truck And Car Accidents In Louisiana Collisions that involve two or more passenger automobiles are very different than accidents that involve a passenger automobile and a truck. Accidents that involve semi-trucks and other huge commercial vehicles often lead to fatalities for the people in the automobiles. And even when they don’t lead to death, they often cause much more grievous injuries to the occupants of the smaller vehicle. When we think about how long can injury cases take, it totally depends upon injury’s depth and also property damage. An average commercial truck outweighs an average passenger vehicle by 20 to 30 times and has a ground clearance that is just high enough to where a smaller car is able to slide below it. Even when traveling at slow speeds, these weight and size differences between a truck and a passenger vehicle can cause serious injury or fatalities. Have you have been injured in an accident with a semi-truck? Our Louisiana truck accident attorneys can assist you. How Are Truck Accidents Dissimilar To Other Car Accidents?, Here are some of the largest differences between a truck accident and a passenger vehicle accident. The impact of the injuries sustained. Truck accidents usually cause serious or even fatal injury. Even at low-speed, an accident with a commercial vehicle can cause emergency as well as long-term medical care. Unfortunately, victims of truck accidents often have to deal with emotional, physical, and financial issues regarding their injuries for the rest of their lives. In such cases, it is a good idea to consult Plymouth injury lawyers for hire, who will help you legally and help you recover the compensation for the injury and damage caused. The accidents are complex. Accidents that involve both cars and trucks can be more complex for several reasons. There are laws that regulate commercial trucking and they are extremely specific. Awareness of these laws is vital to building a case which determines liability on the truck driver, the company that he or she works for, or even another party. The cause of the accident. There are many ways things can go wrong while driving in a semi-truck. Some factors that are the driver’s responsibility include: speeding, the following distance, getting enough sleep, and not driving under the influence. Other causes, like the weight and size of the truck’s cargo, any safety equipment, and a reasonable schedule are not the driver’s responsibility. In order to gain fair compensation, the cause of the accident needs to be investigated and determined. How many people are involved? Even if the accident involves just one car and just one semi-truck, there may be multiple parties involved. Truck accident liability does not always rest on the truck driver, even when he or she may be obvious to blame for the incident. Issues like schedules, loads that are poorly secured, and equipment breakdown can end up being the responsibility of people who are nowhere near the scene of the collision. Securing compensation is difficult. Trucking companies, as well as their drivers, often retain attorneys as well as insurance companies that work to lessen their liability after an accident. If you do have the same kind of protection, you will likely not see the compensation your injuries deserve. You Need A Truck Accident Lawyer In Louisiana The truck accident lawyers at Big River Trial Attorneys understand how to look into commercial vehicle crashes to help determine the cause. This information lets us build a case to gain compensation for a victim in a passenger vehicle. Without a lawyer, you are at the mercy of lawyers and insurance companies who represent the truck driver. If you have been injured in an accident in Louisiana, Big River Trial Attorneys will help. Our experienced attorneys have the experience to handle every case. It is vital to call a Louisiana accident attorney after your accident. Your attorney can then put together evidence in your case and work to make sure you get the compensation that you deserve. The negligent party is responsible for your medical bills and other damages like lost wages, pain, and suffering. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the more likely you are to get a fair settlement. Call us at (225) 963-9638 or contact us to discuss your case and your injuries, and learn about any compensation that you could be entitled to. With the help of Big River Trial Attorneys, you or your loved one will get the help you need. Don’t wait, contact us today.

Personal Injury

How Long Does It Take To Settle A Personal Injury Claim in Louisiana?

/

How Long Does It Take To Settle A Personal Injury Claim In Louisiana? Personal injury claims can seem similar, but every case is unique, which makes it hard to figure out how long it takes to settle a claim without knowing the specifics. Some personal injury claims are settled very fast. While others, like those involving serious personal injury, can take over several years and even end in court. While you may want to settle the matter quickly, insurance companies want to do something else: If you accept an offer before talking to an attorney, you will waive your ability to gain any additional compensation. This can result in victims having a hard time long after the initial settlement. Why Personal Injury Claims Can Take Time There are steps that need to be taken to make sure you get the full compensation that your injury deserves. Insurance companies don’t pay more than a policy’s limit, even when that limit is obviously inadequate. Once the insurer’s liability was met, they don’t have to pay more, regardless of the actual amount of damages you deserve–even then, a maximum payout will only happen if the at-fault party is obviously liable. Establishing liability is where a personal injury lawyer comes in. Liability In order to prove liability, an investigation into the accident may be needed. Your personal injury lawyer may have to work with an accident reconstructionist, doctors, and any other experts who can determine how the accident took place, who is at fault party, and what damages are expected. This process alone can take a few months but is essential for determining what your claim is worth. Damages in a personal injury claim include: Medical and rehabilitation cost Lost wages Home modifications such as wheelchair or prosthetics Costs related to permanent injury like paralysis Property damage expenses Personal injury claims often look for compensation for pain and suffering, too. Although, pain and suffering are not always considered in initial insurance settlements. The Personal Injury Claim Process After the first investigation, a letter of demand is sent to the insured and his or her insurance company. If the insurance company will not pay or offers too small of a settlement, a formal complaint is filed with the court. This is where the personal injury claim process can feel like it’s not moving forward. Following the complaint filing, a discovery process then begins. While this happens, both your attorney and the defendant will put together information for the case with interviews, documents and medical reports, and other investigations. This is essential for creating a strong claim that can, if need be, stand-up in court. But, most cases don’t go to court. 90 percent of personal injury claims are settled out of court. Settlement Negotiations And Mediation Next, your attorney and the defendant’s attorney will begin settlement negotiations. Sometimes, this is where the process stops. In other cases, it moves through to mediation. In mediation, both sides meet with a neutral third party, which is often appointed by the court, to present their cases and negotiate. Almost all personal injury claims are settled in this process. But, if your claim deals with large damages, the case will go to trial. Personal Injury Trials If mediation doesn’t work out, a trial is scheduled. The trial date can be set for several months in the future. While the trial itself may be short, there can be appeals after the judgment is decided, which further lengthens the time it takes to settle your claim. This is just one reason to make sure you are working with a qualified personal injury lawyer. Retaining A Personal Injury Attorney In Louisiana If you have been injured in an accident in Louisiana, we offer a no-cost consultation to discuss your case. Our experienced attorneys have the experience to handle every case. It is vital to call a Louisiana accident attorney after your accident. Your attorney can then put together evidence in your case and work to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. The negligent party is responsible for your medical bills and other damages like lost wages, pain, and suffering. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the more likely you are to get a fair settlement. Call us at (225) 963-9638 or click here to contact us to set a time to discuss your case and your injuries, and learn about any compensation that you could be entitled to. With the help of Big River Trial Attorneys, you or your loved one will get the help you need. Don’t wait, contact us today.

Personal Injury

Steps to Take When You Are Injured at Work in Louisiana

/

Steps To Take When You Are Injured At Work In Louisiana Workplace accidents can happen at any time and you need to be prepared on how to move forward when filing a workers’ compensation claim. It is extremely vital that employees, with the assistance of a workers’ compensation lawyer, go after compensation for medical bills and lost wages due to being out of work with a workplace injury. Here is a guide of what you should do after being injured at work in Louisiana. Report Your Injury Always report your injury to your employer right away. This is important because in many cases, employers and workers’ compensation insurance companies may attempt to deny a claim because the injury was not reported promptly. An injured employee that doesn’t inform his or her employer, in writing, within 30 days after the date of the injury, may lose the right for workers’ compensation ben Tell Your Doctor That The Injury Is Work-Related When you seek medical care, it is very important to tell your doctor that the injury is workplace-related. Also, make certain that your doctor records this fact in your medical notes for each visit related to the injury. You need to do this because employers and workers’ compensation insurance companies may try to deny your claim otherwise. Give Written Notice To Your Employer Provide written notice of injury to your employer, including the date of your injury and a description of that injury. Give this to your employer as soon as possible. Finally… Always follow your doctor’s instructions. Go back to work as soon as possible. Attend any required hearings that are a part of the case. Contact A Workers’ Compensation Attorney Wading through workers’ compensation can be puzzling and hard. Insurance adjusters are always attempting to take recorded statements from you that will be used against you in your claim. So stay smart! Lawyers can help with your workers’ compensation. They can fill out and file injury forms, deal with insurance companies, and ensure you receive the treatment you need as you recover from your injury. A lawyer will help you file to retain the wages you deserve while you are out of work. Big River Trial Attorneys, will work with you through your case and will work hard to make sure you receive the lump settlement you deserve. Contact Big River Trial Attorneys at (225) 963-9638 if you have been injured on the job and need help. We will help guide you through every step so contact us today and start moving your case forward.

Personal Injury

Types of Claims Available in a Car Accident Case.

/

Types Of Claims Available In A Car Accident Case. Being in a serious car accident can be devastating to victims and their families.  A vehicle accident can cause financial burdens to entire households, especially when the person who was injured provides some or all of the household income and is unable to work.  Some medical bills may not be covered by insurance and missing work while recovering or receiving medical treatment means lost wages adding emotional and financial stress on top of the physical pain.  Hiring a lawyer to seek compensation after a car accident will not undue the past but it can help alleviate some or all of the financial burdens associated with being in an accident. If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence, or if you’ve lost a loved one in a car accident, you may have the right to sue for damages and be compensated for your injuries under Louisiana law.  Below is a discussion of some of the most common types of claims made in a car accident. Personal Injury Claims The most common claim in a vehicle accident is the claim against the other driver that hit you and caused the accident.  You would also be able to make this claim if you were riding a motorcycle, a bicycle, or were a pedestrian.  Personal injury claims usually involve things such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment of life for the things your injuries cause you to miss out on. While an accident is usually caused by the negligence of one party there can be times where more than one person contributed to causing an accident.  In that case, you would have a claim against each person responsible for causing the accident. If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, also known as UM coverage, you may be able to present a claim against your insurer.  If the person that hit you only has a Louisiana state minimum insurance policy of $15,000, but your injuries are worth $20,000, you can ask your UM coverage to pay for the rest.  You can also make a claim on your UM coverage if the person that hit you did not have car insurance.  If you were a passenger in a vehicle that was hit by another driver that did not have insurance, or did not have enough insurance, your own UM coverage would also apply.  With Louisiana’s low state minimum policy limits it is advisable for everyone to have UM coverage. Product Liability Claims If the accident was caused by a defective condition on an automobile, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer.  This is not limited to just the car itself.  For example, if a tire were to fail and cause an accident, you may have a claim against the manufacture and installer of the tire.   If an accident was the result of a defective vehicle or defective part, your attorney might advise you to sue the car or car part manufacturer for damages related to the accident and injuries. If an accident was caused by a defect in a vehicle or a component part of the vehicle, there may be other consumers having the same problem.  In these cases, accident victims might find a class action lawsuit or mass tort litigation lawsuit to be the most effective way to seek compensation.  An experienced vehicle accident attorney can help you decide the best course of action for your individual circumstances. Claims Against The City, Parish Or State If an accident was caused by a poorly designed or improperly maintained roadway, then you may have a claim against the governmental entity responsible for road construction and maintenance. You would need to prove the government knew or should have known about the hazard.  Claims against governmental entities often come with limitations on the amounts that you can recover.  For example, most personal injury claims against the state of Louisiana are limited to a recovery of $500,000 not including medical expenses, property damage, or lost wages. Wrongful Death Claims If you have lost a loved in a car accident, you may have a wrongful death claim.  Louisiana law entitles survivors of the victim to bring a claim against the party that caused the accident and also sets forth the order of who can bring the claim.  For example, a surviving spouse or child has the right to bring a claim before a surviving parent or sibling.  In the event of a parent being killed in an accident each child would have his or her own claim and each person’s claim may have a different value depending on his or relationship with the victim. Property Damage Claims The most common type of property damage claim is the claim for the repair or replacement of your car.  The at-fault driver is responsible for paying for the repairs to your vehicle, or for the value of your vehicle if it is determined to be a total loss.  Other types of property damage claims may include items in the car that were damaged and need to be replaced – such as a child’s car seat.  If you have comprehensive coverage your insurer may pay for these damages initially and then recover the costs from the other driver’s insurance company. Past And Future Medical Expenses If you required medical treatment after your car accident, the at-fault driver is responsible for paying for your medical bills.  If you have UM coverage you can also make a claim against your own insurer for costs not paid by the at-fault driver or his or her insurance company.  The Louisiana state minimum policy limits of $15,000 apply to both bodily injury claims and medical bills so it can be easy to exceed the other driver’s available insurance with just a few months of treatment. If you have health insurance, you should use it to help cover the costs of your medical treatment.  Your health insurer may have

Personal Injury

What is a Jury Threshold and Does it Affect my Car Insurance Rates?

/

What Is A Jury Threshold And Does It Affect My Car Insurance Rates? A jury threshold is a minimum amount that an injured party has to say his or her claim is worth to have the case decided by a jury. The current jury threshold in Louisiana is $50,000, meaning that if a lawsuit does not allege at least $50,000 in damages it will be heard only by a judge in what is called a bench trial.  There has been a lot of push in Louisiana recently to lower or eliminate the jury threshold under the guise that it will somehow lower car insurance rates.  Louisiana currently has the second highest car insurance rates in the nation but a change in the jury threshold is unlikely to have any affect on those rates. Reasons Why Car Insurance Is So Expensive In Louisiana. One of the main reasons car insurance is so expensive in Louisiana is the high number of uninsured or under insured drivers. Nearly 13% of drivers in Louisiana do not have car insurance. Of those with insurance, about 40% carry the state minimum policy limits of $15,000 for injuries and $25,000 for property damage. Compare that to Virginia which has one of the lowest car insurance rates in the nation and where uninsured motorist coverage is a requirement. Virginia’s minimum policy limits provide $25,000 for injuries and $50,000 for property damage. One easy fix Louisiana could implement is to require everyone to carry uninsured motorist coverage and increase the minimum policy limits. How To Decrease The Number Of Lawsuits Filed In Louisiana. Some argue that the reason car insurance rates are so high is because of the number of lawsuits filed in Louisiana.  Louisiana does have a relatively high number of lawsuits compared to other states. But one of the main reasons for the high number of lawsuits is that Louisiana has a shorter statute of limitations.  In Louisiana, an injured party has one year from the date of an accident to file suit.  Compare that to Maine where an injured party has six years to file a lawsuit, yet Maine has one of the lowest car insurance rates in the nation.  The longer statute of limitations allows more time for claims to be resolved without the need for filing a lawsuit. Having More Jury Trials Will Not Reduce Insurance Rates.  Insurance lobbyist and other political action groups argue that requiring every lawsuit to be decided by a jury will somehow lower insurance rates.  There is no evidence to support this and the argument completely overlooks the other costs to taxpayers associated with having more jury trials.  Jury trials are expensive.  It costs a lot of money for the notices to get mailed out, to accommodate the people showing up for jury duty, and to keep a jury at the courthouse every day for a week or more while a trial is pending.  Louisiana citizens should also get ready for more jury duty.  If every case requires a jury people can expect a dramatic increase in how often they are summoned to the courthouse to perform their civic duty.  Conversely, allowing smaller cases to be decided by a judge instead of a jury allows cases to get to court faster and with less expense to the parties and to the public. If you’ve been injured in an accident and have questions about whether your case should be tried before a judge or a jury, call Big River Trial Attorneys at (225) 963-9638 to schedule a no-cost consultation.  We can help you understand the most efficient to way to get your case resolved quickly while still getting the compensation you deserve.

Personal Injury

How is a Wreck With an 18-Wheeler Different than a Regular Car Accident?

/

How Is A Wreck With An 18-Wheeler Different Than A Regular Car Accident? I want to talk to you today about how a wreck with an 18 wheeler is different than a regular car accident. Now there are some obvious similarities in that both happen on the road, both involve a vehicle. But there’s some important distinctions that can affect the outcome of your case. One distinction is the nature and intensity of the injuries. Because a wreck with an 18-wheeler usually happens at high speed and involves a much larger vehicle, the injuries can be much more severe. Another distinct is that federal regulations that apply to 18 wheelers. For example, a driver can only drive for so long before he has to take a break. A third distinction is the amount of insurance involved. When you’re dealing an 18-wheeler, you’re dealing with a policy of usually at least a million dollars if not more. Because of the size of that policy, the insurance companies have much more incentive to fight your case. If you or a loved one have been injured in a wreck with an 18-wheeler you should hire an attorney who has the resources and the experience to make sure that you get the maximum compensation you deserve. You can call my office for a free consultation at (225) 384-6760.

Personal Injury

How soon after I get in to an accident should I contact an attorney?

/

  How Soon After I Get In To An Accident Should I Contact An Attorney? If you’ve been the victim of someone’s careless driving, and were injured or had your vehicle seriously damaged in a Baton Rouge car accident, you probably have lots of questions.You might be wondering at what point you need to get a Baton Rouge personal injury attorney involved. After all, we all remember the process we’re supposed to follow from driver’s education class; if you’re in a Baton Rouge car accident, you exchange information with the other party, then call your insurance company to report the wreck, right? Well, unfortunately, that’s wrong. If you’re in a car accident, your first call should be to 911 to get any medical assistance that may be necessary, and to get the much-needed police report to document what happened in the wreck. Even if the accident seems just like a minor fender bender, you should always get a police report – always. After your medical injuries have been treated, if any were sustained, your second call should be to a Baton Rouge personal injury attorney like myself. When you contact a Baton Rouge personal injury attorney like myself for a free consultation, I’ll listen to your account of what happened in the car wreck and ask you important questions to get a better understanding of who was at fault, and who should be paying your medical and vehicle repair bills. I’ll also be able to get a better sense of just how likely it is that the other party will provide an honest account of what happened in the car accident, which is especially important if you didn’t get a police report. Driving, not to mention car accidents, can make people emotional. Sometimes, a car accident is the result of road rage, and you must deal with another driver who is heated and angry and may try to blame you for the wreck, even if you were following the rules of the road. Other times, even if a car accident was just that – a simple accident – the involved parties may be so upset that they cause a scene. Most Baton Rouge car accidents happen between strangers. And even if the other party of a car accident seems like a nice person while you are exchanging information and reporting the incidents of the wreck to the police, you never know just how honest – or dishonest – that person is actually going to be. Unfortunately, not everyone tells the truth, and some people involved in Baton Rouge car accidents will lie about what happened, try to pass on pre-existing damages to their vehicle as having been caused by your wreck, or claim to be more injured than they actually are. As a Baton Rouge personal injury attorney, I’ve seen it all and I know the steps to take to protect you during your accident claims process, and to get your vehicle and medical bills paid. First, I’ll call the insurance companies for you to report the accident, and I’ll never let the insurance companies pressure you into making a recorded statement of the accident – something car insurance companies like to do to try to “catch” you on tape making conflicting statements about what happened in the accident to try to “prove” that you are lying or at fault. I’ll also review every document that the insurance companies send you to make sure it’s safe to sign, and fight for you to get as much compensation for your injuries, vehicle damages, and pain and suffering as possible. So remember, if you’re in a Baton Rouge car accident, your first call should be to 911. Your next call should be to me, Rusty Messer, at (225) 963-9638.

Scroll to Top
with GTM: