Car accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. The cost of medical bills and the limited ability to work following the collision prompts many Louisiana victims to pursue legal action in civil court to recover some of their losses. The Bart Bernard team of Metairie personal injury lawyers can help you put your life back together in the aftermath of serious or catastrophic injury. You’re Smart. Get Bart. ™
Typical Car Accident Injuries
More than three million people are injured in car accidents each year. Sometimes the harm is minor, insurance covers it, you bounce back within a week or two, and litigation is not necessary. Other times, car accident injuries with more serious repercussions include:
Impact Injuries – Head concussions can occur when the head hits a window or the seat rest with force. Knees can be shattered if they strike the dashboard. “Hard injuries” like broken bones are one of the most common reasons people sue in car accidents due to the long recoveries and mobility issues that often arise as a result.
Penetrating Injuries – Cuts, scrapes, deep lacerations, and organ perforations can occur when glass shatters, the airbag deploys, and when loose cargo or parts of the vehicle become detached and lodged in the skin and soft tissues. Lawsuits may be necessary when these injuries result in blood loss, the need for stitches or surgery, and cause permanent scarring or disfigurement.
Head Injuries – Concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injury are a few common side effects of car accidents. Whenever there is a loss of consciousness, the brain has been adversely affected in some manner. Confusion can last for days or weeks, but physical and cognitive impairments can persist for months after an accident. Traumatic Brain Injury can alter thinking, sensation, language, or emotional abilities permanently.
Whiplash – Whiplash occurs when the muscles and ligaments of the neck and back become overstretched and strained due to the sudden impact of the collision. More serious forms of whiplash affect the spine.
What To Do After A Car Accident
The initial moments of an accident are crucial.
- Seek emergency assistance. Even if you are able to walk away from the accident, it is a good idea to undergo a comprehensive medical examination. Sometimes the extent of soft tissue injuries or internal damage is not evident until the days that follow. Be sure to keep all records of your examination and follow the physician’s instructions. Filing a police report can also help in documenting your claim.
- Gather evidence. If you or someone else in your party is able to, get photographs of the wreckage and your injuries. Even jotting down a diagram of the vehicle positioning can help. Get the names and contact information for any eyewitnesses who can corroborate your version of what happened. If you’re not sure what happened, a law firm can aid local law enforcement in conducting a thorough investigation.
- Contact a car accident lawyer for a free consultation and contingency-based representation. You will not owe any money upfront and are only responsible for covering the attorney fee if you win. Typically, attorneys take about a third of the final settlement or jury award, which leaves you two-thirds (often tens of thousands, if not millions, of dollars) to cover your expenses and restart your life. Before taking any phone calls from unscrupulous insurance agents, consult with an attorney who can represent your best interests. Experienced Metairie personal injury lawyers are waiting to speak with you.
Metairie Car Accident Victims Get the Compensation They Deserve
When a car crash turns your life upside-down, you need to start exploring all resources right away. Louisiana has one of the shortest deadlines for filing civil lawsuits at ONE YEAR from the date of the accident. Given the amount of time investigation can take, it’s ideal to work with a lawyer from day one. If successful, you could receive compensation to cover all medical expenses (from doctor’s visits and medication to surgeries and rehabilitations), home modifications or other disability-related costs, lost wages and reduced future earning capacity, as well as an estimate of your pain and suffering. Get it Done Right™. Call Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers.
