Car accidents occur every hour of every day. They are one of the most common sources of personal injuries. Drivers responsible for the accident are liable for any damages, whether that's personal bodily injury or property damage.
The law is more strict and straight forward when it comes to requiring the insurance company to pay for your property damage. But when it comes to your personal injury damages (like pain and suffering), the law allows insurance companies more leverage in deciding what to offer you even when that offer is less than the true value of your claim.
Put simply, an insurance company is looking out for its own pockets, not yours. That is why you need a personal injury lawyer who has specific experience with auto accidents to ensure you get what you deserve.
At The Law Office of David Rutledge, our car accident attorney in Louisiana can help you file a solid, well-supported personal injury claim to ensure you receive just and fair compensation. Contact us online or at 337-225-5788 (337-CALLRUT) to schedule a Free Consultation about your case today.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Lafayette or Acadiana
Injuries sustained from car accidents can range anywhere from minor to fatal. The types of immediate bodily injuries often involved in personal injury claims include:
- Whiplash(neck and beck)
- Herniation and/or disc bulges in neck and/or back
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and cuts
- Nerve damages
- Spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Chronic pain
Any and all of the above injuries can be serious and life-threatening. All bodily injuries – regardless of their severity – are eligible for money damages if you are the victim of the accident. In many cases, psychological, mental, and emotional injuries are also eligible for money damages.
Types of Car Accidents in Louisiana
The type of injuries you sustain depends on the type and manner of the car accident. Common types of crashes include:
- Head-on collisions, which are among the most devastating types of collisions that result in serious and life-threatening bodily injuries
- Rear-end accidents, which are among the most common and frequently result in whiplash
- Side-impact collisions, which are common, usually occur at intersections and result in a range of injuries depending on where the vehicle was struck
- Roll-over accidents, which are less common but result in head and neck injuries
- Sideswipe accidents, which are less common and occur when one of two or more vehicles traveling parallel with each other swipes the side of the other vehicle
- Blind spot accidents, which are less common and occur when one vehicle fails to spot another vehicle while changing or merging into another lane
The type of car accident can indicate liability for property and bodily damages. It's important to remember, though, that accidents can be complex events, and so though the type may initially and seemingly indicate fault, a thorough investigation must be conducted for a clear understanding of where liability falls.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Louisiana
Car accidents happen due to many reasons. Typically, causes can be grouped into three categories: drivers, vehicles, and environment.
Drivers
- Intoxicated driving (e.g., alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs, illicit drugs)
- Distracted driving (e.g., eating, texting, disciplining children)
- Drowsy driving or falling asleep while driving
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Decision error (e.g., driving too fast for the conditions, misjudging another driver's actions)
- Recognition error (e.g., inattention)
- Performance error (e.g., overcompensation, poor directional control)
Vehicles
- Tires/wheels-related
- Brakes-related
- Steering/suspension/transmission/engine-related
- Manufacture defects
Environment
- Slick roads (e.g., ice, loose debris)
- Glare
- View obstructions
- Signs/signals
Most crashes are the direct result of one driver. Aside from crashes caused by drivers, vehicles, or environmental conditions, there are other reasons that don't fall within these categories. For instance, pedestrians can sometimes be the cause of an accident. In other circumstances, the cause cannot be determined.
When the cause of a car accident is easily identified, liability will also tend to be easily identifiable. More complex auto accident cases, however, require the insight of an experienced auto accident attorney and the knowledge and expertise of expert witnesses.
Benefits of Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Louisiana
After a car accident, insurance companies will investigate the cause of the wreck to see who was at fault. They will then offer to cover the victim's expenses. Insurance companies, however, are for-profit entities. They make money by bringing in premium payments and increase profit margins by minimizing the amount of money they pay out in settlements.
When an insurance company offers a settlement, that offer may not represent the true value of fair compensation a victim deserves. Victims should be compensated for their:
- Pain and suffering, past, present and future.
- Medical bills, past, and future
- Lost wages, past, and future
- Reduced earnings
- Physical scarring
- Emotional distress
- And more
Frequently, insurance settlement offers only cover property damage and medical bills, and only those expenses incurred to date. Sometimes the settlement will also include lost wages, but again, it may only include the wages lost to date and not future wages or loss of earned income.
By hiring Rut and pursuing these other forms of compensation, accident victims can fight for what they really deserve.
In a Rut, Call Rut!
Car accidents can be straightforward or complex. Regardless of which, it is in your best interests to speak to an car accident attorney. At The Law Office of David Rutledge, Rut works hard for our clients to obtain fair and just compensation. Contact us using our online form or by calling us directly at 337-225-5788 (337-CALL RUT) to schedule a Free Consultation today.
