Car Accident Attorney Baton Rouge
Car accidents can result in terrible injuries to the victims involved. When you are in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be owed compensation. Speak to a car accident attorney today to get your case started.
A personal injury attorney can represent your case and negotiate with insurance companies to secure a settlement on your behalf. Call Murray and Murray, LLC for a free consultation on your car accident lawsuit.
Damages Available in a Baton Rouge Car Accident Case
After a car accident, you may be eligible to receive damages for your personal injury and other losses. The damages you can recover generally fall into two categories — economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are tangible losses, while non-economic damages compensate you for pain and suffering.
In most personal injury cases, you can receive the following damages:
Medical Bills
Car accidents can cause life-threatening injuries that prevent you from living a normal life. If you are dealing with severe wounds after your accident, you may be paying for expensive medical bills. Ambulance fees, surgery, medication, imaging scans, and lab tests are just some of the medical expenses you’ve incurred.
Your future medical bills can also be a part of your personal injury settlement. Physical therapy, follow-up visits, and additional treatments you’ll require long-term may be included in your compensation. Furthermore, in the event of wrongful death, you can also pursue compensation for the deceased’s medical expenses.
Lost Income
After a car accident, you may have to take time off from work. As part of your personal injury settlement, you’ll also receive lost wages as part of your compensation. An attorney can include any lost wages in the past, present, and future in your settlement demands.
Pain and Suffering
Following an accident, you may be dealing with difficult feelings like depression, PTSD, grief, and anxiety. Your car accident attorney can estimate how much you are owed in pain and suffering damages by using a multiplier. The multiplier is based upon a number between one and seven depending on how severe your injuries are.
This number is multiplied by your total economic damages to estimate your non-economic damages.
Property Damages
An accident will likely result in damages to your vehicle. In most cases, your insurance coverage will pay for your property damage. However, if the damages are so high that they go beyond your policy limit, you can include the cost of repairs in your personal injury settlement.
Determining Fault in a Baton Rouge Car Accident
Determining fault is not always straightforward. Other drivers on the road owe you a duty of care because they must drive responsibly. A Baton Rouge car accident lawyer can determine who is at fault using evidence and witness testimony. They do this by proving that the other party meets the following principles:
Breach of Duty
When a driver fails to operate their vehicle safely, this is a breach of duty. For example, drunk driving or distracted driving is irresponsible behavior that puts lives in danger.
Causation
The at-fault party must be the direct cause of your injury. Using evidence from the car accident, medical records, and the police report, your Baton Rouge car accident lawyer can prove how the other party caused your car accident.
Harm Done
You cannot seek compensation if there was no harm done. Your damages are proof that you were harmed. Medical expenses, wrongful death, and pain and suffering are just some of the damages you may have incurred.
If your attorney can prove that the other party was at fault, they can be held liable for the damages caused by your car crash. With their help, you can receive maximum compensation so that you can fully recover from your car accident.
Car Accident Injuries
Car accident victims suffer from a wide range of injuries. Examples of common car accident injuries include:
Broken Bones
The impact of a collision can result in fractures and broken bones. This is because the force of your car accident can slam you into objects within the car, such as the dashboard or windshield.
Head Injuries
When forcefully rocked back and forth by the vehicle, you can hit your head. Traumatic brain injuries can affect your cognitive ability and result in long-term disability.
Spinal Injuries
You can suffer from back pain, paralysis, pinched nerves, spinal disc ruptures, and other injuries following a car accident. Spinal injuries are some of the most common complications stemming from car accidents.
Burn Wounds
Accidents sometimes cause cars to catch fire. This can result in first, second, or third-degree burns.
Cuts and Bruises
Broken glass, shards of metal, and other sharp materials can cause lacerations and deep wounds. You may also suffer from bruises and internal bleeding.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
A car accident attorney can negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf and represent your case in court. If the other party refuses to settle, your attorney can work to prove your claim before a judge or jury.
Additionally, they can investigate to find evidence to prove the other party was at fault. This proof is key to holding the other party liable. Your attorney will work hard to ensure you receive fair compensation.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, there are several steps you should take to ensure your safety and begin gathering evidence for your claim. Once you’ve done your part, an auto accident attorney can take over from there.
Seek Medical Treatment
Your health should be your top priority. Get checked out by medical professionals to ensure you are safe and healthy. If there are any issues, ask to be taken to the emergency room for further imaging. Always follow up with your doctor, and be sure to stick to any treatment plan they prescribe.
File a Police Report
You should contact law enforcement to review what happened at the scene of the crash and report the event. Your input is valuable and will help give the police officers an idea of what occurred. Later on, your car accident lawyer can use the police report as supportive evidence.
Collect Contact Information
Request contact information for anyone who was in the crash. Ask for their name, phone number, and insurance policy number so you can contact them later regarding your case. You can also take pictures of their license plate to use as an ID if they are unwilling to provide contact information.
It is also a great idea to get contact information from witnesses. Your attorney can contact them for additional evidence.
Take Pictures of the Accident
You should take pictures of your car, the other cars involved, and the scene of the car accident. The dents on the car, debris, tire marks, road obstacles, and other details can help explain how the crash occurred. Photos are a form of physical evidence that can help prove your case.
Inform Your Insurance Company
You will want your insurance company to know all the details of the car accident. Make sure that you don’t admit to any fault or guilt. It will be up to the insurance companies to determine who is at fault.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney
Once you’ve completed these steps, contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your case. While it is not required to hire a lawyer, it is advisable. Lawyers know the world of insurance claims and lawsuits, so it is wise to rely on their expertise.
How Do I Get Started With a Car Accident Lawyer?
If you’ve been in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, then it is time to reach out to a lawyer. They can provide guidance to help you get started on your case. Lawyers will review how your car accident happened and help prove who is at fault. They’ll investigate your car crash and find evidence to support your claim. You can call Murray and Murray, LLC today for a free consultation.