Sometimes there is more to an “accident” than meets the eye. Whenever there is a sudden, catastrophic injury, it’s worth investigating. Get it Done Right™ with Bart Bernard. Our West Monroe personal injury lawyers have experience examining motor vehicle collisions, slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, product liability cases, dangerous drugs, construction site injuries, and defective medical devices. It costs you nothing to speak with a personal injury lawyer about these matters.
How To Gather Evidence After An Accident
No matter what type of incident you were involved in, taking the following steps will strengthen your case:
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Keep a record of which doctors you see and when.
- Follow your care provider’s recommendations and maintain all follow-up appointments.
- Include medical summaries and bills in a folder for future reference.
- Contact the local authorities to file a police report and request a copy.
- Take photos of the accident location, property damage, and all physical injuries right away.
- Keep a diary of your mental and physical symptoms.
- Document all time off work.
- If possible, get the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses.
- Contact a local personal injury attorney for a free consultation.
What Is Your Personal Injury Case Worth?
While results cannot be guaranteed, Bart Bernard’s list of victories include:
- $23 million for a boating accident
- $13 million for an oilfield injury
- $4.2 million for an auto collision
- $853,000 for a broken elevator premises liability claim.
The amount of money you can receive will be dictated by multiple factors, but most notably: How severely did your injuries disrupt your quality of life? How likely are you to suffer in the years to come? Are you able to prove the defendant’s liability?
Damages in Personal Injury Lawsuits
If a legal claim is successful, West Monroe residents may receive compensation for:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- Past, present, and future wage losses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Related out-of-pocket expenses
When a person dies in an accident, spouses and dependents can collect money to cover medical bills that would otherwise come out of the estate; funeral and burial costs– as well as losses related to companionship, financial support, and guidance. While no amount of money can bring the decedent back to life, there is some comfort in knowing justice has been served.
Are There Damage Caps in Louisiana For Personal Injuries?
Louisiana allows plaintiffs to collect on “pain and suffering” damages but limits the amount of recovery to $500,000 for medical malpractice. Providers covered by the state’s Patient Compensation Fund may pay as little as $100,000 (plus future medical expenses). Other types of personal injury cases have no maximum limit.
Who Caused Your Accident?
Exonerating yourself from liability is just one of the many reasons to hire a fierce, experienced litigator to represent your best interests in court. Louisiana follows the rule of “comparative fault,” meaning that your settlement or award can be reduced based on the amount of liability ascribed to you.
So, for instance, if a speeding motorist rear-ends you while you’re sitting at a green light, not paying attention, you may be deemed 25% liable for the accident. If you are to receive $100,000 in total damages, you can only collect 25% of that amount ($75,000).
A good personal injury lawyer seeks to mitigate liability from every possible angle to maximize compensation. In some cases, liability may extend beyond an individual to include business partners, employees, owners, shareholders, insurance companies, government entities, and other third parties. Contact Bart Bernard for a free consultation and contingency-based representation in West Monroe
