Answers To Commonly Asked Questions About Louisiana Auto Accidents

If you were recently injured in a car accident, you likely have many questions about your rights, responsibilities and legal options. On this page, you’ll find answers to some of the most commonly asked car accident questions. After reading, feel free to contact Whitworth Law Firm to get answers to your own questions during an initial consultation.

Why should I hire an attorney instead of just accepting the insurance company’s settlement offer?

The insurance company has two objectives after a crash: To settle the claim as quickly and cheaply as possible. They are not concerned about your best interests or what is fair. They are concerned about their own bottom line. Chances are good that the initial offer will be far less than what you need and far less than what your case is worth. Once you sign the acceptance offer, you are barred from taking any further legal action, meaning you have no options if the compensation amount proves to be inadequate.

I have a lot of accident-related bills. How can I afford to hire a personal injury attorney?

Most personal injury firms, including Whitworth Law Firm, take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you pay no legal fees unless the firm helps you recover money. Even then, your fees would be paid as a percentage the jury award or settlement. Because of this legal arrangement, you can be sure that your attorney’s interests are the same as yours: to maximize the amount collected on your behalf.

Am I allowed to seek compensation if I was partially at fault for the crash?

Yes, you are! In Louisiana, courts abide by the comparative negligence principle. If both drivers were negligent, courts will assign a percentage of fault to each. You can seek compensation from the other driver, and your total compensation amount will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How much time to I have to file a lawsuit? And should I wait to seek help?

In Louisiana, the statute of limitations on car accidents is one year from the date of the crash (with few exceptions). You may be tempted to wait until things “settle down” before contacting an attorney, but this could put your case at a disadvantage. As time goes by, evidence can be lost and memories can fade. Getting an attorney involved as soon as reasonably possible will ensure that your legal options remain intact.

Who would I sue after a serious truck accident?

18-wheelers and other large trucks are commercial vehicles. If you were injured due to the actions of the driver, the trucking company is considered jointly liable. Because these companies are backed by commercial insurance policies, the insurance company would also be named in the lawsuit. It is possible in some cases to find additional defendants, but nearly all truck accident lawsuits will involve the three parties mentioned above.

How much is my case worth?

That will depend on the specifics of the accident and the costs (financial, physical and other) that you incurred. An attorney can help you seek compensation for things like medical bills, lost wages, property damage, permanent disability, pain and suffering and more.

Have Additional Questions? Schedule A Consultation Today.

Whitworth Law Firm serves clients in and around Baton Rouge, Louisiana. To discuss your legal options with a skilled attorney, call the firm at 225-376-2580 or reach out online. The firm accepts calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.