After a car accident, paying hospital bills, contacting insurance companies, and managing work while injured can feel overwhelming. Our legal team can help you get financial compensation from those responsible for the accident so you can recover from your injuries with peace of mind.
Immediately following a car accident, call 911 and get emergency medical attention. Contact an attorney as soon as you can to discuss the accident and your legal options. While some injured drivers may cover their damages through insurance, your case may be different. Insurance may be insufficient, certain damages might not be covered, or your claims could be denied. You can sue, but you should not try to do so without a lawyer.
Speak to our car accident attorneys about your case in a free, private legal review by calling the Schoenfeld Law Firm at (504) 688-7760.
What Should You Do Right After a Car Accident?
Some car accidents are minor incidents, while others are major collisions. Whatever happens, call for help, talk to other drivers, and get a lawyer.
Call 911
Call 911 immediately after an accident. If you do not have a phone or are too seriously injured to make the call on your own, someone else at the accident scene should call 911. If anyone is injured, inform the 911 dispatcher so that they can send the appropriate emergency responders to your location.
Exchange Information
While waiting for help, talk to other drivers involved in the accident if you can. Exchange personal information and insurance details so that everyone involved may file an insurance claim. We need this information if we plan to sue any of the other drivers. If anyone refuses to identify themselves, wait for the police to arrive.
Call an Attorney
Once you have received medical attention, call a lawyer to discuss the accident. An attorney can determine whether you have a valid legal claim for damages and what your damages are worth. They can also help you navigate the complex legal procedures necessary to pursue justice and fair compensation.
Should You Call the Police After a Car Accident in Morgan City, LA?
Drivers must report accidents to the police if they involve injuries, death, or property damage in excess of $500. You are not legally required to report minor accidents. However, you should consider involving the police. If the other driver is hostile, uninsured, or you believe they caused the accident as part of an insurance scam, call the police.
Evidence to Prove Your Claims in a Car Accident Case?
We must be ready to prove your claims with the strongest evidence we can gather. While evidence can be unpredictable and is often unique in each case, you should consider the following evidence with your lawyer.
Video Footage
Videos of the accident can be extremely powerful evidence, especially if the footage depicts the defendant behaving negligently just before the crash. Such footage might come from nearby security cameras, traffic cameras, dashcams, or even cell phone videos. Our car accident attorneys must obtain that footage as quickly as possible before it is erased.
Photos of the Accident
Drivers often take pictures after a car accident to have proof of the crash and their damages when they file an insurance claim. If you choose to file a lawsuit, your photos may be admissible in court as evidence. Take as many photos as possible, since you never know what important details you might preserve.
Witnesses
Did anyone else see the accident unfold? Other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or even people who stopped to help may provide valuable witness testimony. The more people who can back up your version of events and testify about seeing the defendant’s negligent actions, the stronger your case will be.
Can You Sue if You Are Accused of Causing the Car Accident?
Yes. Louisiana applies a modified comparative negligence law when plaintiffs are accused of causing or contributing to their injuries. In short, if a plaintiff is determined to be partially responsible for a car accident, they may still sue, but their damages will likely be reduced in proportion to their share of fault. However, if a plaintiff is determined to be at least 51% responsible, they may be barred from recovering any damages.
Medical Costs in a Car Accident in Morgan City
After a bad accident, you are likely to have serious injuries that require immediate medical care. Medical bills are known for being expensive, and you should claim all your medical costs in your lawsuit. On top of that, you can claim reasonably anticipated future medical costs if your injuries require ongoing or long-term care.
Covering Property Damage
Yor vehicle and the various personal items inside it are likely damaged. Whether you need costly repairs or an entirely new vehicle, you should claim these costs among your damages. Even small personal items may add up to significant damages.
Claiming Lost Wages
Injured drivers often need time off from work to recover. You might not be earning a wage during this time, and you should claim any lost income as part of your damages. You can claim lost future income if you are unable to return to work for a long time.
Suing for Pain and Suffering
Vehicle accidents may inflict significant physical and psychological injuries. Drivers often deal with intense pain from physical injuries alongside psychological trauma.
When car accidents are severe, injuries tend to be more painful, and emotional and mental distress is often greater. While damages for pain and suffering can be tricky to quantify, they should still be included in your claims.
Can You Sue the At-Fault Driver if They Are Uninsured?
Yes, but it might not be a good idea. When an at-fault driver is uninsured, they might not have any way to cover your damages even if you win a lawsuit.
In such cases, drivers may rely on their uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This insurance is designed specifically to help when at-fault drivers lack insurance, or their insurance is insufficient.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers in Morgan City, LA for Help Right Away
Speak to our car accident attorneys about your case in a free, private legal review by calling the Schoenfeld Law Firm at (504) 688-7760.
