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Car accident injury
For many years, Louisiana had one of the shortest deadlines in the country for filing a personal injury lawsuit—just one year from the date of the accident.That changed recently, and it is important to understand what the new law means for your case.
Here's something you probably won't hear from many personal injury lawyers:You may not need an attorney to handle your car accident claim.If your accident involved minor property damage, nobody was injured, and no one required medical treatment, there is a good chance you can successfully handle the claim yourself.
Thinking clearly after a car accident is not easy.You may be shaken up, confused, worried about your family, or dealing with injuries that have not fully set in yet. Unfortunately, the first few minutes after a collision are often when important evidence is lost and mistakes are made that can make an insurance claim more difficult later.
You have been injured in a car accident and the adjuster for the other driver's insurance company calls asking for a recorded statement.Should you give one?Are you legally required to do so?
When I was very young, my mom was involved in a devastating accident on Interstate 10 near Slidell, Louisiana. She suffered serious injuries, including a fractured pelvis, broken ribs, and a ruptured spleen. She was lucky to survive.As a young child, I watched firsthand as a single mother tried to recover from serious injuries while continuing to take care of everyday responsibilities. She was missing work, her vehicle was totaled, and the bills certainly didn't stop arriving simply because she had been injured.
When people review their auto insurance policy, they often focus on the monthly premium.What many drivers overlook is whether they have enough uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, commonly known as "UM" coverage.
One of the most common questions we hear after a car accident is:"How long will my case take?"Unfortunately, there is no simple answer.Every case is different, and the timeline often depends on factors such as the severity of the injuries, the length of medical treatment, the insurance companies involved, and whether a lawsuit becomes necessary.What we can promise is that we do everything possible to keep our clients' cases moving forward.
The short answer is, your rights are gone.
After an accident, many people hesitate before contacting an attorney. Honestly, we understand why. Most people have never dealt with a serious injury claim before, and there are a lot of misconceptions about what hiring a lawyer actually means.
Distracted driving has become one of the biggest dangers on Louisiana roads. According to national traffic safety studies, distracted driving contributes to thousands of serious and fatal crashes every year. In fact, approximately nine people are killed each day in the United States in crashes involving distracted drivers. Teen drivers are especially at risk. Car accidents remain one of the leading causes of death for teenagers in the United States, and distracted driving plays a major role in many of those crashes. The scary part is that distracted driving is not limited to texting. Most drivers have probably engaged in some form of distracted driving without even realizing it.
Minor accidents involving limited injuries and minimal medical treatment are sometimes manageable on your own. But even in smaller cases, it is important to understand your rights before speaking with the insurance company.
You have probably heard the term “defensive driving,” but what does it actually mean? In simple terms, defensive driving means staying alert, being aware of your surroundings, and anticipating the actions of other drivers before a problem happens. It is the idea that safe drivers do more than just follow traffic laws. They actively try to avoid dangerous situations before an accident occurs. Unfortunately, with distracted driving becoming more common, defensive driving is more important now than ever.
One of the most common things we hear after a car accident is: “I’ve got full coverage.” But when we ask what type of insurance coverage someone actually has, many people are surprised to learn that “full coverage” does not always mean what they think it means. In many cases, people confuse having enough insurance to legally drive in Louisiana with being fully protected after a serious accident. Those are two very different things.
For many people, cellphone use while driving has become a terrible habit. Unfortunately, distracted driving accidents are incredibly common and often completely preventable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving contributes to thousands of deaths every year across the United States.
Many people are hesitant to hire an attorney after a car accident. We hear it all the time: “I really didn’t want to have to hire a lawyer.” And honestly, we understand that feeling. Most people have never had to deal with a serious accident claim before, and there are a lot of misconceptions about what hiring an attorney actually means.
In Louisiana, a vehicle may be considered a total loss when the cost to repair it reaches 75% or more of the vehicle’s market value. Even damage that looks repairable can sometimes result in a total loss determination, especially with older vehicles or vehicles that already have high mileage.
Every year, distracted driving causes serious accidents across Louisiana. With smartphones, GPS apps, social media, and constant notifications, drivers are more distracted than ever. Even looking away from the road for a few seconds can lead to a devastating crash.
Louisiana continues to struggle with one of the highest rates of impaired driving fatalities in the country.Every year, families across our state are forced to deal with devastating injuries and tragic losses caused by drivers who made the decision to get behind the wheel while impaired.
Some car accident claims are relatively straightforward.Others become complicated very quickly.While minor fender benders can often be handled without legal representation, accidents involving significant injuries, disputed liability, uninsured drivers, commercial vehicles, or multiple insurance policies frequently require much more attention.
One of my favorite movies of all time is Back to the Future Part II.As a personal injury attorney, I occasionally wish I had Doc Brown's DeLorean sitting in my parking lot so I could travel back in time and prevent accidents before they ever happen.Unfortunately, time travel is still a few years away.The next best thing is making sure your family has the right insurance coverage before you ever need it.
Have you been in an accident recently? Get a free, confidential case review with Grady
When you hire us, rest assured that an attorney handles your case. Your
file won’t be handed over to a junior attorney or secretary. Communication is a cornerstone of our firm.
