Our Personal Injury FAQ

Police officers investigating a crash have a difficult job.  They have to study the accident scene, interview the parties involved, and write down what they believe happened in their accident report.  If the other driver is lying about what happened, it makes their job harder.  

As frustrating as it may be, the best thing you can do is calmly explain to the officer exactly what happened, being as precise about the facts as possible.  If you had to be rushed to the hospital after an accident, it is important to contact the police officer so that he or she has your side of the story.  

It is also important to take as many pictures and videos of the accident scene as possible.  A picture can say 1,000 words and oftentimes, they reveal how the collision occurred.  Even take pictures and videos of any skid marks.  An accident reconstruction expert may be able to use this evidence later down the road if necessary.

Finally, make a note of any witnesses to the accident, including their names and contact information.  If the other driver is making up stories, it may be a good idea to get affidavits from any witnesses and make sure the police officer takes their information into consideration. 

If you received a police report for your accident which is not quite right, call us today to schedule a free and confidential consultation to discuss your options.

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Car Accident?

If you've been hurt in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

As with any personal injury claim, the amount an injured person may expect to receive following a motorcycle accident depends on many factors.  

First, a determination must be made as to liability.  In Louisiana, we have comparative liability law, meaning that even if a person is only partially liable for causing an accident, they are responsible for paying part of the damages.  For example, if a person is found 25% liable for causing an accident and the total damages are $100,000, that person is responsible for $25,000 of the damages.  

Second, the extent of the victim’s injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages must be calculated to determine the value of the claim.  This is sometimes a complicated process, especially when a person’s injuries and damages may continue into the future.  

Every case is different and we treat all of our clients as individuals.  Once a case is ready for resolution, we work hard to analyze its monetary value and communicate with our clients every step of the way.

Have You Been Hurt In A Covington Area Motorcycle Accident?

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

In Louisiana, punitive, or punishing damages, can be recovered against an intoxicated driver who causes a wreck.  Under the law, a person is intoxicated if their blood alcohol level is 0.08 percent or more, or if they are under the influence of certain drugs.  

When a loved one dies due to the negligence of an intoxicated driver, certain heirs may pursue damages by filing “wrongful death” and “survival” claims.  Only certain heirs have the right to pursue such claims, to the preclusion of other heirs.  For instance, if the decedent was married and had children, the spouse and/or the children can file such claims, but his/her parents and siblings could not.  If the decedent was not married and did not have children, then his/her parents may pursue the claims.   

We offer free, confidential, and “no pressure” consultations. 

Has Your Loved One Died Due To The Negligence Of Others?

If you lost a family member due to a negligent act you need to speak with an experienced Covington area wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help families throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

One of the first steps in recovering money for harms and losses following an auto accident, pedestrian accident, or other personal injury is the filing of a claim with the appropriate insurance company or claims representative. The filing of a claim puts the insurance company on notice of the incident.  

Once a claim is filed, the insurance company begins to collect information about the incident. They will then make a determination as to whether they are accepting responsibility for the accident or denying liability. The insurance company will also collect information related to the extent of the claimant’s damages. That is, how much the claim may be worth. This amount, sometimes called a “reserve” may increase if the person’s damages are continuing.  

During the claims process, we provide the insurance company with evidence so that they can make a determination as to liability. Evidence can include police reports, witness statements, photographs, and videos. We also keep the insurance company updated as to our clients’ ongoing injuries and damages so that they can set their reserve appropriately.  

Most importantly, at Grady J. Flattmann, Attorneys at Law, we keep our clients updated every step of the way.

Have You Been Hurt In A Covington Area Accident?

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

A driver may not always be at fault for a pedestrian accident.  However, in Louisiana, we have a law called “comparative fault.”  This means that even if a driver is partially at fault for causing a pedestrian accident, they will still be responsible for a portion of the victim’s damages.  

Take for example this scenario.  A good Samaritan stops his vehicle on a highway to provide emergency help to people who were just involved in an accident.  While crossing the highway, the good Samaritan is hit by a distracted driver, traveling way over the speed limit, and weaving through the accident scene.  In that scenario, the driver may be found at fault for being distracted and not taking steps to avoid hitting the good Samaritan pedestrian.

Pedestrian accidents typically involve a lot of facts which must be analyzed to determine fault.

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Bicycle Or Pedestrian Accident?

If you've been hurt in a pedestrian or bicycle accident you need to speak with an experienced pedestrian injury lawyer as soon as  possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help families throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

The Jones Act covers “Seaman” who are injured while at work.  Determining whether someone is considered a Jones Act Seaman can be an extremely complicated and fact-dependent process.  

Factors we consider in making such a determination include, but are not limited to the person’s job duties, the length of their employment, whether they were permanently assigned to a vessel or fleet of vessels, whether the accident took place when they were working in service of a vessel.  

Understanding whether you qualify as a Jones Act Seaman is critical to protecting yourself after a work injury. 

Have You Been Injured On Your Louisiana Maritime Job?

If you've been injured at your maritime job or at sea, you need to speak with an experienced Jones Act attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

Motorcyclists often have an uphill battle convincing insurance companies that the other driver was at fault for causing a motorcycle versus car accident.  The at-fault driver often says that the motorcycle “came out of nowhere” and sometimes, police reports do not clearly or accurately show what happened.  

If your motorcycle insurance claim is denied, that is not the end of the road.  We have successfully represented people whose claims were initially denied.  Once we are hired, we will investigate the case fully and make sure that the insurance company has all the facts and is comparing apples to apples.  

If the insurance company continues to deny your claim, you must make a decision whether to file a lawsuit in order to pursue your claim.  In Louisiana, victims of a motorcycle accident have one year within which to file a lawsuit.  If they don’t, their claims vanish as if the accident never occurred and they cannot seek compensation.  

Have You Been Hurt In A Covington Area Motorcycle Accident?

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

In most cases, the answer is “yes.”  In Louisiana, if you are involved in a bicycle accident, you will be responsible for your own medical bills and then will have to seek reimbursement from the at-fault person and/or their insurance company.  

If you have health insurance, you should use it to pay for doctor’s visits, even if they relate to the bicycle versus car accident.  You should also understand how much your health insurer has paid, as they will have an interest in being reimbursed once your claim is over.  

In some cases, a person may have medical payment or “med-pay” coverage under their own auto insurance policy, which would provide money to pay for medical care.  This would apply even if you were on your bicycle, since the accident had to do with a car hitting you.  But be careful, as if the med-pay coverage is used, your auto insurer will also look to be reimbursed from any settlement.

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Bicycle Or Pedestrian Accident?

If you've been hurt in a pedestrian or bicycle accident you need to speak with an experienced pedestrian injury lawyer as soon as  possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help families throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

It is important to understand the difference between “criminal” cases and “civil” cases when it comes to truck accidents or any accident.  Criminal charges are typically brought by the District Attorney against the at-fault individual when it is determined that they violated a law and caused harm.  Finding someone guilty in a criminal case results in fines or imprisonment for that person, depending on the case.  

We handle civil cases involving truck accidents.  That means we seek compensation (money) for our clients as a result of the injuries and damages they suffer.  Winning a lawsuit or settling with an insurance company in a civil case results in the payment of money, but does not subject the at-fault person to fines or imprisonment.  

Sometimes, a truck accident can result in both criminal and civil cases.  An example is when a truck driver was intoxicated and severely injures or kills someone in a crash.  In that case, the truck driver would be subject to criminal charges and could be sued for civil damages.  

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Truck Accident?

If you've been hurt in a semi-truck or large vehicle accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

Chiropractic treatment is common following a car accident claim, especially when the person experiences soft-tissue injuries.  Chiropractors can be amazing at helping people to get some relief for their pain and manage their injuries.  

Often, a chiropractor may not be covered by health insurance or may not take health insurance following a car accident injury.  In those cases, bills can add up quickly and knowing how they are going to be paid is very important.  

Unfortunately, in a Louisiana car accident claim, the at-fault insurance company is not responsible for paying the chiropractor as you treat.  Instead, the insurance company will typically want to resolve your claim once you have finished treating.  If you are successful in settling your claim, the chiropractor would be paid with a portion of your settlement funds.  

In some cases, an injured victim may have what is called “medical payment or med-pay coverage” with their own auto insurance.  Sometimes, a chiropractor will request to be paid from those funds.  

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Car Accident?

If you've been hurt in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.