Whether you’re involved in a high-speed collision on the highway or a simple fender-bender, an auto accident can be difficult on you and your family. You could come out of the accident with substantial injuries and face significant financial, emotional, and physical challenges because of someone else’s negligence. Proving liability in a personal injury case may help you recover the monetary damages you deserve.
Fortunately, an Iberville Parish car accident lawyer has the knowledge necessary to fight on your behalf. Our seasoned personal injury attorneys are experienced in representing local car accident claims, so contact Tomeny | Best today to discover the legal options available in your unique case.
Common Causes and Types of Auto Accidents
Automobile collisions in Plaquemine and other parts of Iberville Parish can result from moving violations like speeding, running a red light, overtly illegal acts like texting behind the wheel, driving while intoxicated, or simply irresponsible behavior like being distracted by a passenger or overly fatigued while driving, or any combinations of these acts. What all those things have in common, though, is that they can potentially serve as the basis for personal injury claims if an injured person can prove that someone else caused their injuries.
That said, different types of “negligence” behind the wheel can lead to very different types of accidents depending on where the negligent act occurs, and different types of accidents can have very different repercussions. For example, rear-end collisions caused by tailgating or distracted driving often result in whiplash and other injuries caused by the body being suddenly thrown forward, while side-impact collisions in intersections tend to cause bone fractures and other trauma more commonly associated with extreme impacts.
Front-end wrecks involving drunk drivers or failures to yield can cause both types of injuries at once as well as catastrophic harm to the brain, spinal cord, and/or internal organs, and rollovers stemming from failure to account for bad weather or road conditions are all too often fatal. No matter what, though, assistance from capable legal counsel will almost certainly be key to obtaining fair financial recovery after a wreck caused by another person’s misconduct.
Injuries from Car Collisions
Auto accidents can result in life-threatening injuries to the involved parties. A vehicle should never be operated negligently, as a car can generate enough force to cause catastrophic damage upon impact. The harm from an auto accident can leave a victim with debilitating injuries, lost time from work, and a hit to their financial wellbeing. The injuries sustained can cause short or long-term disability.
Injuries that frequently occur in car collisions include, but are not limited to:
- Skin lacerations, road rash, and severe burns
- Whiplash and damage to the spinal cord
- Broken bones, fractures, or crush injuries
- Loss of an organ or organ damage
- Amputation or other loss of limb
- Traumatic brain injury
If someone has been injured in an auto collision, an experienced attorney in Plaquemine or Iberville Parish could help determine the liable party and pursue fair and prompt compensation from them.
What to Do Immediately After Being in a Traffic Collision
If a car crash results in someone suffering a serious injury, their only concern in the aftermath of that crash should be getting to a hospital for necessary medical treatment. However, under less dire circumstances, drivers involved in traffic accidents in Iberville Parish should first move their vehicles out of the flow of traffic if possible, then check if anyone else involved needs emergency medical services, then call 911 and wait at the scene for police to arrive. In the meantime, all involved parties should exchange contact and insurance information.
Doing all these things is important not just to set the stage properly for a potential lawsuit later on, but also to avoid criminal charges for “hit and run.” Even if someone else is entirely at fault for causing a crash in the first place, leaving the scene of the wreck unlawfully can still have serious legal repercussions for anyone directly involved in the collision.
Financial Compensation in Iberville Parish and Plaquemine Auto Accident Cases
When another driver is to blame for the car crash, the injured party may be entitled to damages. These monetary damages often help compensate for both economic and non-economic losses resulting from the collision. An attorney could assess the possibility of recovering damages fully with their client.
A harmed individual may seek compensation for:
- Property damages, including for damage to the car
- Medical damages and costs
- Rehabilitation services and expenses
- Lost income and earning capacity damages
- Loss of support and companionship
- Pain and suffering from physical and mental injuries
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
How much compensation the injured party may get following the collision depends on the extent of harm they suffered. This requires strong proof that the other party involved caused the accident, breached a duty of care, and caused avoidable harm. A skilled Iberville Parish or Plaquemine car accident attorney could gather evidence that points to the at-fault party’s negligence and build a strong claim for damages.
How “Comparative Fault” Can Affect Civil Recovery
In addition to constructing a comprehensive claim that accounts for every compensable loss connected to a car crash in Plaquemine and throughout Iberville Parish, a seasoned lawyer can also help proactively contest accusations that an injured person is partly to blame for causing their own injuries through their own negligent behavior. Not only is this a very common tactic used by defendants named in personal injury lawsuits, it is also one of the easiest ways for a plaintiff pursuing such a claim to miss out on much-needed compensation.
In brief, Louisiana Civil Code §2323 establishes a “pure comparative fault” system under which courts can reduce the total amount of money available to an injured person in proportion to whatever percentage of total fault that court assigns to that injured person for causing their own injuries. Fortunately, there is no amount of comparative fault a plaintiff can hold that completely disqualifies them from suing another negligent party for compensation, but this is still a major obstacle to effective recovery in many cases, which a qualified attorney can provide crucial assistance with navigating around.
Lawsuit vs Settlement in Car Accident Claims
Not every car accident case has to go to trial. When a personal injury claim is filed, it could be handled through insurance or end in a negotiated settlement agreement.
If a favorable settlement cannot be reached, a personal injury claim seeks to prove the facts in court. A Tomeny | Best car accident lawyer could work with an Iberville Parish/Plaquemine car accident victim to pursue a settlement, but could also take a case to trial if insurers are not offering a fair compensation award.
Work with a Car Accident Attorney in Plaquemine/Iberville Parish
Substantial injuries can result from seemingly minor accidents. Serious crashes can leave you disabled, dealing with pain, and much more. You deserve to have your case assessed by a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who understands how to handle auto accident claims.
If you or a loved one have sustained injuries in a car accident caused by another party’s negligence, an Iberville Parish car accident lawyer could help you take legal action against those responsible. Contact us today to get started.
