Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyer
Accidental injuries can easily derail someone’s life, leading to lost wages, hefty medical bills, and much more. Not only do personal injuries lead to personal suffering and loss of quality of life, but they can also interfere with the lives of family or minor dependents. In these cases, fair compensation for injuries incurred may help injured individuals get back on their feet and carry on with their lives.
An experienced Lafayette personal injury lawyer like the Louisiana Law Lady may be able to assist with a personal injury case. These attorneys may have experience with evaluating cases to help determine fault, negotiating settlements with insurance companies, and giving legal advice to clients. For more information on what a personal injury lawyer can do for their client, consider scheduling a consultation today by calling or texting (504) 470-3511.
Benefits of a Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injury attorneys may be able to help support a case in many ways. First and foremost, personal injury lawyers will generally have an extensive familiarity with their field of law. Louisiana personal injury attorneys may be able to help advise their clients based on their legal experience, counseling them toward courses of action that could benefit them.
Additionally, personal injury attorneys may be able to evaluate a personal injury case. These cases can take many forms and often come with various strings attached based on the type of personal injury case. Slip and fall accidents may look completely different from trucking accidents, or defective product injuries. A personal injury attorney could evaluate a case and may be able to point to defining features that could influence insurance negotiations or a trial.
Personal injury lawyers may also be able to represent their clients in a legal capacity. Many personal injury attorneys will represent their clients against insurance companies. For most personal injury cases, the injured party must come to a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. A personal injury attorney may be able to step into that space and use their legal expertise to negotiate a settlement on behalf of their client. Some attorneys may also be equipped to represent their clients in court, should that be necessary.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury cases are one of the broader categories of the law, covering multiple smaller categories. Essentially, a personal injury case consists of any injury for which another party may be responsible. Due to the broad coverage of this category, personal injury cases are incredibly common. According to the National Safety Council, accidents and injuries cost Americans over $1,283 billion in damages in 2022. Some common personal injury cases include:
- Car accidents: Among the more common personal injury cases, injuries from car accidents may be considered personal injury cases.
- Truck accidents: Trucking accidents are more complex than a standard vehicle accident, and may benefit from special attention from a personal injury attorney.
- Motorcycle accidents: Severe injuries can be common when motorcycle crashes are involved, due to the lack of protections provided by motorcycles.
- Premises liability cases: If an individual is injured by conditions on another person or corporation’s property, the property owner could be liable for the incident.
- Slip and fall accidents: Similar to premises liability accidents, slip and fall cases are common in personal injury law.
- Injuries from defective products: A defective or dangerous product could lead to unintended injury.
- Dog bites: The owner of a dog may be responsible for dog bite injuries.
- Worker’s compensation: Companies are often liable for injuries sustained by their employees at work.
Understanding the nature of a given personal injury case may help clarify the role of a personal injury lawyer, and could offer insight on how to move forward to pursue compensation. Contact a skilled personal injury lawyer from Louisiana Law Lady for more information.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
While filing a personal injury claim may seem like a simple process such as filling out a form, the process is more complex than that. An important first step in filing a personal injury claim is seeking medical attention. Frequently, when making a personal injury claim, the insurance company in question will seek confirmation that the injury in question is a direct result of the accident. Having medical records as proof, as well as following the treatment plan provided by the doctor may help strengthen a personal injury case.
After this is done, compiling evidence and building a case for compensation may be advisable. This may involve photos, videos, surveillance footage, witness testimonies, bills, and medical records. Many people find that employing the services of an attorney can help strengthen a case, as their legal expertise can help pinpoint crucial evidence and prepare the injured party for each step. This step in the process may also involve calculating an accurate value of the damages incurred, which may benefit from the input of an expert, and sometimes multiple experts.
Then, the injured party must submit a claim and enter negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company. This may involve several rounds of offers and counteroffers until both parties can agree on a settlement. If neither party can come to a conclusion, the case may need to go to court for a judge or jury to settle the matter.
Additionally, personal injury cases need to consider the iLouisiana statute of limitations. According to Louisiana R.S. 23:1209, individuals now have two years from the time of injury to file a personal injury claim. If the accident or wreck occurred before July 1, 2024, then there is a one year statute of limitations. If this deadline is missed, the individual may be barred from receiving compensation.
Available Compensation in a Personal Injury Case
Several different forms of compensation may be available in a personal injury case. Generally, the most prevalent of these is compensation for the injuries sustained from the accident in question. Medical expenses and other charges may be covered by this, but those are not the only forms of compensation available. Injured victims may also be able to recover damages for ongoing medical issues resulting from the accident, as well as lost wages due to injury. In some cases, victims may be able to seek compensation for pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life that resulted from their injuries.
Speak With a Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injury cases impact thousands of Americans every year, and the consequences of an accidental injury have the potential to wreak havoc on finances, employment, and personal life. For victims of accidental injuries, seeking compensation may be a means of finding stability and peace of mind during a difficult time. However, oftentimes the legal complexities and challenges can be overwhelming, especially while dealing with an injury. Having the help and support of a skilled personal injury lawyer from Louisiana Law Lady may mitigate these strains and might improve the chances of a personal injury case. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling or texting (504) 470-3511.