Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer
Did you get into a car accident in Lafayette, LA? A Lafayette car accident lawyer can help you recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and emotional harm.
Palmintier Law Group has won more than $1 billion for our clients. We can help you through the insurance claim process after a car crash in Lafayette, Louisiana. If we don’t get a full settlement, our attorneys will file a lawsuit and fight for your rights in the courtroom.
Call our office today at (225) 344-3735 to schedule a free consultation with a Lafayette car accident attorney.
How Palmintier Law Group Can Help After a Car Accident In Lafayette
Nobody gets into a car expecting to get into an accident. If you don’t know what to do or are overwhelmed with your legal options in Lafayette, LA, Palmintier Law Group can help. We have over 80 years of combined experience.
A Lafayette car accident lawyer on our team will:
- Explain your rights
- Calculate your damages
- File insurance claims
- Serve as a point of contact with insurance agents
- Keep track of deadlines
- Consult with experts
- File a car accident lawsuit
- Represent you in court and during the trial
We know how to handle car accident cases because we have successfully handled countless before. Even though every case is different, our experience is one of our most valuable resources.
Call us to schedule a free case evaluation with our Lafayette personal injury attorneys as soon as possible.
How Common Are Car Accidents In Lafayette, LA?
Unfortunately, car accidents are common in Lafayette, LA.
In 2023, there were 10,755 car accidents in Lafayette Parish. 2,714 caused injuries, and 26 were fatal. In total, 4,185 people were hurt in car crashes, with the driver being the most likely to get hurt.
The estimated cost of all the injury accidents in Lafayette Parish is $387 million. This is significant money for people struggling financially after a crash. A car crash lawyer can help you access this money so you can move forward after an accident.
What Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
Palmintier Law Group will help you value your case.
Several factors will affect your case worth like:
- The type of injury and medical treatment
- The cost of your medical bills
- Whether you can work or have lost income because of your injuries
- If you are permanently disabled
- Emotional trauma resulting from the accident
- If you contributed to the car crash
- The details of the insurance policy
- If your car was damaged and the cost of repairs
- Your injury’s affect on your overall quality or enjoyment of life
Usually, the more severe an injury is, the higher the case value. However, this isn’t always true. Even people with minor injuries may have a more valuable case than expected.
What Kind of Damages Are Available To Car Accident Victims?
Lafayette car accident victims can recover both economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are financial losses that happen because of a car crash. These losses are directly caused by the crash or the resulting injury.
After a car accident, economic damages may include:
- Emergency medical bills
- Follow up treatment
- In-home or residential nursing care
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Lost employment benefits
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
On the other hand, non-economic damages are intangible. Many people call non-economic damages “pain and suffering.” Even though these losses are often invisible, they can still be significant.
Examples of non-economic damages are:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Mental illness
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of overall quality of life
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of companionship
Once we calculate your damages, we can request full compensation from the insurance company and the defendant. We will prove these damages through evidence like receipts, bills, pay stubs, and witness testimony.
Punitive Damages
Many of our clients ask about punitive damages. Punitive damages punish a defendant for their behavior and deter them from acting similarly in the future.
In Louisiana, plaintiffs generally cannot recover punitive damages in car accident cases. The exception is certain DUI crashes. Our team can explain if you might be entitled to recover punitive damages after a DUI accident.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Lafayette car accident lawyers charge a contingency fee.
Contingency fees benefit clients. The arrangement lets people access legal help even if they don’t have the money on hand. That’s because, with a contingency fee, you only pay your lawyer if they win the case. If they lose, you don’t pay anything at all.
The amount you pay your lawyer depends on the damages awarded at the end of the case. Your attorney will take a percentage, usually between 33% – 40%. The more you win, the more you pay your lawyer, and vice versa.
With a contingency fee, you don’t need to worry about not having the money to afford a lawyer. After all, it comes directly from the settlement or jury award. You don’t need to pay anything along the way.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Car Accident In Louisiana?
Louisiana applies pure comparative negligence law. This law says that if you are less than 100% responsible, you can recover proportionate damages. The law is unique because you can get paid even if you are mostly at fault.
For example, if you are 80% responsible for causing a car accident, you can recover 20% of your damages. Alternatively, if you are only 20% responsible, you can recover 80% of your damages.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation For All Of Your Car Accident Injuries
Many of our clients are seriously hurt in car accidents. Some have catastrophic injuries that last for a lifetime.
We have represented people suffering from the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Skull fractures
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Nerve damage
- Loss of hearing
- Loss of eyesight
- Crush injuries
- Severe bruising or lacerations
We will review your medical records and consult with medical experts when necessary. This work will help us understand your injury. Once we completely understand the type of injury and how you are impacted, we can begin fighting for fair compensation.
What Causes Most Car Accidents In Lafayette, LA?
Most car accidents in Lafayette, LA happen due to:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Blind spots
- Idling in the road
- Speeding
- Unsafe left-hand turns
- Failing to yield to the right of way
- Improper car maintenance
- Vehicle malfunction
Many people aren’t sure what caused the car accident – especially if they weren’t responsible. You may not know what happened in another person’s car. We can investigate the car crash to find out how it happened and who is responsible.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident In Louisiana?
There are four elements to every negligence claim. You must prove each element by a preponderance of the evidence. This means that it is more likely than not true.
The elements are:
- Duty
- Breach
- Causation
- Damages
In a negligence case, your lawyer must show that the defendant owed you a duty of care and they breached this duty when they took an unreasonable risk.
The risk was one that an ordinary person would not take under the same circumstances. You must also prove that risk caused the accident, your injuries, and damages.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
You will have a lot to do after a car accident in Lafayette, LA. What you should do depends on how the accident happened and the severity of the crash.
After most crashes, you should:
- Stop at the scene of the accident
- Call the police and report the crash
- Check yourself, passengers, and other drivers for injuries
- Exchange insurance information and get contact information for the other driver
- Collect evidence (take photographs and get witness information, for example)
- Go to the doctor and get a full evaluation
- Follow all doctor’s treatment recommendations
- Get an estimate for auto repairs from a mechanic
- File an insurance claim
You should also contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a car accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Car Accident?
Effective 7/1/2024, you have two years to file a lawsuit after the crash in Lafayette, LA. For accidents occurring before this date, you only have one year to file a lawsuit. Don’t delay getting the help you need, as time is limited for holding the at-fault party accountable.
A Lafayette car accident attorney can help you through the insurance process and advise you on how to communicate with insurance agents. They can also connect you with doctors and medical professionals for second opinions and follow-up evaluations.
Contact Our Lafayette Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
You deserve to get justice after a car crash in Lafayette, LA. Call a Lafayette car accident lawyer at Palmintier Law Group for a free case evaluation. We can take on the burden of fighting for damages while you focus on recovering from your injuries.