Attorney for Car Wreck
New Orleans Car Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been in a car wreck, the aftermath overwhelms you with stress and uncertainty. Fortunately, with the help of a New Orleans car accident attorney, you don’t have to handle this alone. Injuries, vehicle damage, and dealing with insurance companies can quickly add up to an exhausting experience. As your dedicated attorney, we guide you through every step of the recovery process. Our team provides the legal support you need to recover physically, emotionally, and financially after an accident.
At Phillips Law, we understand how a vehicle accident can disrupt your life in an instant. We focus on personalized, results-driven representation for accident victims throughout New Orleans and Louisiana. We handle various car accident cases, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Why You Need a New Orleans Car Accident Attorney
After a car accident in New Orleans, many victims find themselves battling insurance companies that prioritize profits over people. With a New Orleans car accident attorney by your side, you ensure your rights remain protected throughout the claims process. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys will fight tirelessly to secure fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Here’s how we help:
- Insurance Negotiation: We negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, ensuring you receive maximum compensation for your personal injury claims.
- Medical Documentation: We gather all relevant medical records to prove the extent of your injuries and secure adequate compensation for medical expenses.
- Accident Reconstruction: In complex cases, we work with accident reconstruction experts to recreate the scene of the car wreck and establish liability.
- Litigation: Although many cases settle out of court, we prepare to take your case to trial if necessary to get you the compensation you deserve.
Still not sure if you need a car accident attorney? Take our Free Quiz and find out!
Common Causes of Car Accidents in New Orleans
Orleans car accidents happen for many reasons, and determining the cause of your accident is crucial for establishing fault. Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: Texting, talking on the phone, or other distractions often lead to severe accidents.
- Speeding: Driving over the speed limit remains a leading cause of car wrecks in New Orleans.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drug use impair judgment and reaction times, resulting in devastating crashes.
- Reckless Driving: Aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating or weaving through traffic frequently cause collisions.
If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident in New Orleans caused by any of these factors, our New Orleans car accident lawyers hold the negligent party accountable.
How a New Orleans Car Accident Attorney Builds a Strong Case
After a car wreck, many victims feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the legal system. Fortunately, having an experienced New Orleans car accident attorney by your side provides you with the legal guidance you need to navigate the claims process. Here’s how we build a strong case on your behalf:
Thorough Investigation
Our legal team conducts a thorough investigation of your vehicle accident. We gather evidence, review the police report, and collect witness statements to piece together the events leading to the crash. This comprehensive approach allows us to determine liability and build a compelling argument to present to insurance companies and, if necessary, in court.
Accident Reconstruction
In certain cases, accident reconstruction experts play a vital role in proving fault. These professionals recreate the scene of the car wreck using evidence like skid marks, debris, and vehicle damage to establish how the collision occurred. This expert testimony can strengthen your personal injury claims and demonstrate the other driver’s negligence.
Medical Documentation
Your medical records serve as crucial evidence in proving the extent of your injuries. As your New Orleans car accident attorney, we work closely with healthcare providers to obtain detailed documentation of your injuries, treatment, and ongoing medical needs. This evidence helps ensure your medical expenses are fully compensated, both for current and future care.
Negotiation with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often prioritize their bottom line over offering fair compensation. Our car accident attorneys negotiate directly with the insurance company on your behalf, ensuring that all aspects of your claim are considered. We fight to recover compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Preparing for Litigation
While most car accident cases settle out of court, some require litigation to achieve a fair outcome. As your New Orleans car accident attorney, we prepare each case as if it were going to trial. This approach allows us to stay ahead of the insurance companies and position you for the best possible outcome. If your case goes to court, you can trust our legal team to represent you aggressively.
What to Expect When Filing a Claim
After a car wreck, many victims feel uncertain about the steps involved in filing a claim. Your New Orleans car accident attorney guides you through every step, ensuring you understand the process and know what to expect. Here’s what happens when you file a personal injury claim after a vehicle accident:
- Initial Consultation: During your free consultation, we review the details of your accident, assess your injuries, and discuss your legal options. We explain the process of filing a claim and answer any questions you have.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: We begin by gathering evidence, including the police report, witness statements, and medical records. This evidence is essential in proving liability and the extent of your damages.
- Filing the Claim: Once we’ve collected all necessary documentation, we file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This claim outlines your injuries, damages, and the compensation you’re seeking. We handle both property and personal injury insurance claims.
- Negotiation: The insurance company may respond with a settlement offer. Our car accident attorneys review the offer and negotiate for a fair settlement that covers all your expenses. We won’t settle for less than you deserve.
- Litigation (If Necessary): If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we’ll file a lawsuit on your behalf. Throughout the litigation process, we continue to negotiate with the insurance company while preparing your case for trial.
Understanding Car Accident Laws in Louisiana
Louisiana has specific laws that impact how car accident cases are handled. As your New Orleans car accident attorney, we ensure your case complies with state laws and regulations. Understanding these laws is critical to building a strong case and securing the compensation you deserve.
Comparative Fault
Louisiana follows a comparative fault rule, meaning that if you’re partially at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault, your compensation reduces by 20%. As your attorney for car wreck, we work to minimize your level of fault and maximize your recovery.
Statute of Limitations
In Louisiana, you have one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. This deadline is strict, so contact a New Orleans car accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Failing to file your claim within this timeframe can result in losing your right to seek compensation.
The Impact of Car Accidents on Your Future
A car wreck can have long-lasting effects on your life, from physical injuries to financial hardships. Understanding the potential impact of a car accident helps you make informed decisions about your legal options and future.
Physical and Emotional Recovery
Physical recovery from a vehicle accident can take weeks, months, or even years, depending on the severity of your injuries. Additionally, the emotional toll of the accident can affect your mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, or PTSD. As your New Orleans car accident attorney, we ensure your compensation accounts for both physical and emotional recovery.
Financial Strain
The financial strain of a car wreck can be overwhelming. Medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage quickly add up, leaving you struggling to make ends meet. By working with an experienced attorney for car wreck cases, you can secure the financial compensation you need to cover these costs and move forward with your life.
How Car Accident Attorneys Fight Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can be overwhelming and frustrating. Many victims of car accidents quickly realize that these companies are not on their side. Insurance adjusters work to minimize the compensation they pay out, often leaving victims with less than they deserve. This is where a New Orleans car accident attorney steps in to fight on your behalf.
Understanding Insurance Tactics
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their goal is to protect their bottom line, even at the expense of accident victims. After an accident, you may receive a quick settlement offer from the insurance company. While this offer may seem like a fair deal at first, it is often far below what you truly deserve. Adjusters use tactics such as:
- Lowball Settlement Offers: Insurers often offer a quick settlement for a fraction of what your claim is worth, hoping you’ll accept without realizing your actual expenses.
- Delaying Claims: Insurance companies may delay your claim, hoping to pressure you into accepting a lower settlement out of desperation.
- Disputing Liability: Insurers may argue that you were partially or fully at fault for the accident to reduce their payout.
- Minimizing Injuries: Adjusters may downplay the severity of your injuries, questioning your medical treatment and recovery needs.
A skilled attorney for car wreck cases knows how to counter these tactics. We understand how insurers operate and the methods they use to limit payouts. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Investigating the Accident
One of the first steps we take is conducting a thorough investigation of the accident. We gather evidence to build a strong case that supports your claim. This may involve:
- Reviewing the Police Report: The police report can provide crucial details about the accident, including witness statements and the officer’s assessment of fault.
- Collecting Witness Statements: Eyewitnesses can provide valuable information about what happened and help establish liability.
- Analyzing Accident Scene Evidence: We examine the accident scene, including skid marks, vehicle damage, and traffic camera footage, to reconstruct how the accident occurred.
- Obtaining Medical Records: Your medical records are essential for proving the extent of your injuries and the treatment you require.
By building a strong case, we increase your leverage when negotiating with the insurance company. This helps us fight for a fair settlement that fully covers your losses.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
Once we have gathered all the necessary evidence, we enter the negotiation phase with the insurance company. This is where having an experienced New Orleans car accident attorney truly makes a difference. We handle all communication with the insurance company, ensuring that your rights are protected throughout the process.
Insurance companies may try to use complex legal language or push you to settle quickly. With a dedicated attorney on your side, you won’t have to deal with the pressure or stress of these negotiations. Our legal team understands the true value of your claim and will fight to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Filing a Lawsuit if Necessary
In some cases, insurance companies refuse to offer a fair settlement, even after negotiations. When this happens, we are fully prepared to take your case to court. Filing a lawsuit can be an effective way to hold the insurance company accountable and secure the compensation you need to recover from your accident.
As your New Orleans car accident attorney, we handle all aspects of the legal process, from filing the necessary paperwork to representing you in court. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for you, whether through negotiation or litigation.
When Should You Contact a New Orleans Car Accident Attorney?
After a car wreck, time is of the essence. The sooner you contact a New Orleans car accident attorney, the sooner we can begin building your case and protecting your rights. If you’ve been involved in a vehicle accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation and let us help you take the first step toward recovery.
We understand the stress and uncertainty that follow a car wreck. Our team is here to provide you with the legal guidance and support you need during this challenging time.
Call Phillips Law at 504-434-7000 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced attorney for car wreck cases. We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve and help you move forward with confidence.