A car accident leaves you not only injured and unable to work, but not sure about the next steps to take. The insurance adjuster is offering you a settlement, but you have no idea whether the amount is fair. Since insurance companies try to settle for as little as possible, the answer is probably “no.” Never agree to a car accident insurance settlement without consulting an attorney. A Carencro car accident lawyer at Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers will work hard to protect your rights so you might receive the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries. You’re Smart. Get Bart.™
What to Do After a Car Accident
The priority in any car accident is making sure those involved receive medical attention. Call 911 and alert emergency responders. Use a cellphone to take photos and video of the accident scene. Obtain the name and contact information, as well as the insurance information and driver’s license number of other drivers involved. Get the names and contact information for any witnesses to the crash. Write down or record what happened immediately, while your memory is still fresh.
Even if you think you are unhurt, visit a doctor as soon as possible. Not all car accident injuries are apparent right after the crash. Failure to receive prompt medical treatment may cause the other driver’s insurance company to claim any injuries resulted from some other event, not the car accident.
Louisiana Statute of Limitations
Under Louisiana statute CC 3492, a person injured in a car accident has one year from the accident date to file a lawsuit. That is one of the shortest statutes of limitation in the country. If a lawsuit is not filed by that deadline, the matter is over. Since car accident victims must deal with hospital stays, doctor visits, physical therapy, and other issues relating to the crash, it is essential to contact a Carencro car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and other necessary investigative work takes time, and the one-year statute of limitations means time is of the essence.
Louisiana Car Accident Damages
Serious car accidents are often devastating, both medically and financially. The victim may remain out of work for a long time, and it is possible they can never return to work due to the extent of their injuries. Meanwhile, medical and other bills keep piling up. A totaled car may mean the victim’s family has no means of transportation. Damages, or compensation, in a car accident lawsuit may include:
- Medical bills, past and future
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Accident victims must focus on recovery. Let a Carencro car accident attorney investigate your case so that those responsible for these injuries are held liable.
Call Today for a Free Consultation
If you have been injured in a car accident, call Bart Bernard. With a proven track record of success and reputation for taking cases to court, Bart is known throughout Louisiana as “The People’s Trial Lawyer”™. Call us at any time to schedule a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win your case.
