Have a question about a possible case? Review some of the most common questions we receive daily to see if you can find your answer here.
You should contact a lawyer when you feel as though your rights have been violated. It is also a good idea to contact a lawyer when you believe your freedom has been compromised or your finances have been jeopardized.
It is not advisable to handle legal issues yourself. There are no second chances in the legal system, so it is important to navigate through the process with informed decision making. It is also important to refrain from signing any legal documents without having a lawyer look at it first.
We understand the importance of communication and transparency between attorney and client. Although we would like to talk to you weekly by telephone, that would be neither practical nor productive. Legal matters have a way of stretching out over long periods of time. To you, it may often seem like ages have gone by without activity, however, in fact, much behind-the-scenes work is being completed so that on the day your matter is ready, nothing will be overlooked.
In order to keep the cost of legal services down while maximizing communications, we will strive to keep you informed when anything important happens and to respond to your questions in a reasonable time. In addition, we will inform you when your presence is required, either in our office or in court.
Personal injury cases are incidents in which injuries or deaths have occurred as a result of another’s carelessness, recklessness or intentional wrongdoing. The other person’s negligence may be the result of a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall or many other possible events.
As personal injury attorneys, we handle all type of cases including, motor vehicle accidents, tractor trailer accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, wrongful deaths and more.
The average time it takes for a personal injury case to go to trial is one to two years from the time the lawsuit is filed; however, the time it takes to reach a settlement varies greatly from one case to the next. This is largely dependent on the injuries a person receives. Some cases are complete in 2-3 months, and others may take much longer depending on the circumstances.
Most personal injury attorneys, including all of the attorneys work for what is called a contingency fee basis. This means that the attorneys will not receive any compensation for their services until a recovery is made on your behalf. Most personal injury attorney will not charge you a retainer to ensure their services, and will even advance the costs necessary in order to recover on your claim.
Each state in the U.S. has implemented a statute of limitations in regard to filing a personal injury lawsuit. This means that an injured victim only has a certain amount of time to pursue legal action in the hopes of recovering compensation. In the state of Louisiana, the statute of limitations only allows an individual one year from the date that they were injured to initiate the legal process. This is applicable for all personal injury claims, including any instance of medical malpractice, product liability, and/or a wrongful death.
Another common personal injury attorney FAQ is what to do immediately following a car accident. If you are able to do so physically, it’s important to exchange insurance information and get license plate numbers of those involved in the crash. If witnesses are available, their contact information is vital for your case’s testimonies. It’s also important to never admit fault right after a car wreck.
Getting a thorough medical exam is critical for treating any injuries you’ve suffered and to be aware of injuries that may spring up in the future as a result of the car accident.
You should seek medical attention as soon as possible, following a truck, car, taxi, motorcycle, or bicycle accident. A doctor will be able to treat your immediate injuries and assess any health issues that may arise in the future, as a result of an accident.
It is extremely essential to get yourself checked immediately after the accident. In case of any delayed symptoms, seek professional medical help and try to ascertain the cause minutely. Always remember that the more you delay, the harder it will be to prove that the new symptoms are related to the accident.
The insurance company is denying my claim. What should I do?
Here is yet another underhanded tactic employed by an insurer to avoid paying damages. Make sure to do the following in case your insurance company denies your claims.
If you get involved in a car accident, it’s quite likely that you would be asked to make a statement regarding what happened. However, if the other driver’s insurance company asks you to make a statement, they may also ask your consent for recording the statement. This is one of the areas where many drivers end up making the wrong decisions.
Here’s a list of all you need to know about your rights when giving a statement after a car accident:
As per law, you are not mandated to give any statement either recorded or unrecorded and definitely not to any other insurance company. It’s possible that your insurance company has included a clause to provide a statement for your coverage. In other words, it means that if you refuse to give a statement, it may end up affecting your claim. After an accident, your insurance company makes an effort to get as much information as possible. However, a recorded statement is not obligatory.
It’s quite unlikely that your insurance company asks for a recorded statement. But if they do, you may need to comply with your policy directions. It’s quite likely that the other driver’s insurance company will seek a recorded statement. In such instances, the smartest decision is to decline. It’s never advisable to provide any recorded statement to any other driver’s insurance company.
If you end up providing a recorded statement to any other driver’s insurance company, it will become a classic no-win situation for you. Just as your insurance company will back your case, the other driver’s insurance company will back theirs. Thus, there’s no reason to provide any potential evidence to any insurance company. It’s always best not to say anything that insurance company can use against you. In fact, your statements can be used to weaken your own claim.
No, pain and suffering doesn’t include medical bills. But you have a right to claim full compensation for all of your medical bills as part of your injury case. In fact, your pain and suffering compensation is on top of and in addition to your compensation for medical bills.
Yes, you can file a civil lawsuit without an attorney. However, if you bring your case on your own, you’re subject to the same standards as you would be if you had an attorney. You must follow the formalities for your case filing documents. The rules of discovery, admission of evidence, and civil procedure all apply to you. If you make a mistake, it may unravel your case even if you have a great case. While you can file a civil lawsuit without an attorney; usually, your best bet to recover the maximum amount possible is working with an experienced attorney.
As long as you’re not more to blame than the defendant, you can recover for a proportional share of what you would have recovered otherwise.
Disclaimer: The legal information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case and do not represent a promise or guarantee. Please contact a Personal Injury Attorney for a consultation on your particular matter.