Experience, Knowledge & Determination at a Trusted Civil Law Firm
Car accidents happen, and they can be really tough for anyone involved. In New Orleans, Louisiana, with its busy roads and diverse mix of drivers, accidents can be more common. These accidents can lead to injuries, stress, and legal issues that you might not know how to handle. Which is why you need the help of a New Orleans car accident lawyer.
Quick Summary:
- Common car accident injuries in New Orleans range from whiplash to traumatic brain injuries.
- After a car accident, prioritize your well-being, call the police, and gather witness information.
- Liability for a car accident lies with the person who caused it, and investigations consider various factors.
- The damages you may recover include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
- Filing a police report is essential to protect your rights and provide valuable evidence.
- A New Orleans car accident lawyer can help with insurance claims, investigations, and legal representation.
- Contact Hammond Law Firm LLC for a free consultation and professional guidance on your car accident case.
If you’ve been in a car accident in New Orleans, there’s a team of lawyers who can help. The Hammond Law Firm LLC believes that anyone who’s been hurt in an accident should get the help they need.
You don’t have to face the mess of a car accident all by yourself. Get in touch with the Hammond Law Firm LLC today to talk about your case. Our Louisana personal injury lawyers are here to make sure you’re treated fairly and to help you get back on your feet. Schedule a free consultation today.
Common Car Accident Injuries in New Orleans
Car accidents range in seriousness from minor fender benders to major collisions, but even seemingly small car accidents can have lasting consequences. There are many factors involved when it comes to the injuries sustained in a given car accident, including the speed of travel, the angle of impact, and the type of vehicle involved.
Some of the most common auto accident injuries include:
- Whiplash and/or neck injuries
- Bone fractures
- Cuts, scrapes, and bruises
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Internal organ damage
- Concussions/head injuries
- Loss of limb
- Torn ligaments
- Blunt force trauma
- Fatalities (wrongful death)
In addition to the physical injuries sustained in an auto accident, many individuals suffer some degree of emotional trauma as well, such as PTSD. This can greatly affect your ability to return to your normal, everyday activities and may even lead to the development of a fear of driving.
Contact us online to set up your free car accident case evaluation today! We will help you understand your legal rights and options as well as whether you have a case.
What Do I Have To Do If I Am Injured in a Car Accident?
Following a car wreck, do the following as soon as possible:
- Make sure you and everyone else involved is okay and call an ambulance if needed. Do not be embarrassed to ask for help or to admit that you have been hurt. Your wellbeing should be your first priority.
- Make sure to check if anyone hit their heads, chest, knees, or other parts of their body against anything in the vehicle. Impacts against steering wheels, dashboards, and other parts of the car, can cause serious injury.
- If the car accident was particularly bad, call an ambulance as you may suffer from internal bleeding or other conditions which are not immediately visible to the human eye.
- Call the police. Call the police and wait for them to arrive. Cooperate with the officer and remain polite and calm. The officer can do his or her job better if you are clear and responsive to the questions. Also, make the officer aware of any witnesses to the accident.
- If you make a personal injury claim with an insurance company without a police report, you may run into trouble. The other driver may dispute the facts, and if the evidence is ambiguous the insurer may only offer relatively limited compensation.
- Take the names, numbers, and addresses of any witnesses to the auto accident. Witnesses often do not want to be involved, but it is important for you to take down the information of anyone who saw the auto accident. Witnesses can corroborate the facts of the car accident, helping you access the compensation you may be entitled to.
- Take pictures. Record the damage done to all of the vehicles involved before they are moved. After the automobiles are moved, most of the evidence is lost. Take photographs or a video of the point of impact, debris on the street, damage to the vehicles, and any physical injuries sustained. Make sure to record nearby traffic signs and traffic lights as well for identification purposes.
- Call an experienced New Orleans personal injury lawyer before talking with an insurance adjuster. The insurance company will want to take down your statement, even if you have already filed one with the police. They will attempt to record your statement and ask you a long series of questions that you may not fully understand or be aware of their significance. The personal injury lawyers in New Orleans at Hammond Law Firm can help you prepare for this statement and can even attend the questioning with you.
What are the Damages I May Recover After a New Orleans Car Accident?
The damages you may recover after a New Orleans car accident depend on the nature and severity of your injuries, as well as the specific facts of your case. However, some of the most common types of damages that car accident victims can recover include:
- Medical expenses: This includes the cost of all medical treatment related to your injuries, such as ambulance rides, hospital visits, doctor’s appointments, surgery, physical therapy, and prescription drugs.
- Lost wages: This includes the wages you would have earned but were unable to due to your injuries.
- Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for the physical and emotional pain and suffering you have experienced as a result of your injuries.
- Property damage: This includes compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle, as well as any other personal property that was damaged in the accident.
- Loss of consortium: This includes compensation for the loss of companionship and support from your spouse or other loved ones as a result of your injuries.
In some cases, you may also be able to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the at-fault party for their reckless or intentional misconduct. However, punitive damages are rarely awarded in car accident cases.
If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to contact a New Orleans car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. A lawyer can help you determine what types of damages you may be eligible to recover and can represent you in negotiations with insurance companies or in court.
Do I Need a Police Report to File a Claim?
You can file a car accident claim without a police report, but it will be much more difficult to win your case. In Louisiana, you are only legally required to report a car accident to the police if it involves:
- Drunk driving
- Bodily injury
- Death
- Property damage over $500
However, it is still a good idea to report even minor car accidents to the police, especially if you are injured. The police will document the accident and conduct sobriety tests if necessary. The police report will be a valuable piece of evidence if you need to file a claim with your insurance company or take the other driver to court.
If you don’t have a police report, it will be your word against the other driver’s word. This can make it difficult to prove that the other driver was at fault for the accident and that you are entitled to compensation.
In short, it is always best to file a police report after a car accident, even if it is a minor one. The police report will help to protect your rights and make it more likely that you will receive the compensation you deserve.
What Information is Needed in a New Orleans Accident Report?
The information in the New Orleans police report is crucial to your car accident claim. The insurance company for the at-fault driver will carefully review the report to determine whether their driver was at fault.
Don’t let the insurance company use the report against you. Contact a lawyer before speaking with the insurance company.
The NOPD officer will file the crash report within 48 hours of completing the investigation. The N.O.P.D. Form 26 is typically given to the parties involved in the accident at the scene. The full report is usually available within 14-21 business days.
The N.O.P.D. Form 26 is not the full accident report, but it contains important information for getting a copy of the report, such as:
- Item number
- Date of occurrence
- Location of occurrence
The New Orleans police report is a critical piece of evidence in your car accident claim. Contact a New Orleans car accident lawyer before speaking with the insurance company to ensure that the report is not used against you.
Why Do I Need a New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer?
You need a New Orleans car accident lawyer because they can help you:
- File a claim with your insurance company or the insurance company of the at-fault driver. Insurance companies are often reluctant to pay out claims, and they may try to deny your claim or offer you a low settlement. A lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and fight for the compensation you deserve.
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence. A lawyer can investigate the accident to determine how it happened and who was at fault. They can also gather evidence, such as witness statements, police reports, and medical records, to support your claim.
- File a lawsuit if necessary. If the insurance company is unwilling to pay you a fair settlement, your lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf. A lawyer will represent you in court and fight for your rights.
If you have been injured in a car accident in New Orleans, contact Hammond Law Firm LLC for a free consultation. We will review your case and answer all of your questions. We are here to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Our New Orleans Car Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Fight For You
A New Orleans car accident attorney from Hammond Law Firm, LLC can guide you from start to finish while helping you maximize your compensation. Our New Orleans legal team has the experience and the knowledge to effectively represent you and/or your loved ones in an auto accident case.
The personal injury lawyers at Hammond Law Firm, LLC will coordinate with your physician and other healthcare providers to determine and review all of the medical aspects of your car accident case. Our detailed knowledge of Louisiana automotive regulations, liability, and insurance law will help you get fully compensated for your personal injury case.
Our legal team can provide decisive guidance and knowledge on what steps to take immediately following the incident. From protecting one’s rights and gathering evidence for insurance cases to understanding financial responsibility for damages and filing an injury claim, our New Orleans car accident lawyers experience is critical when navigating accident legislation.
Having a skilled car accident law firm by your side will ensure the process is handled professionally and with finesse.
Experience and knowledge are of great importance when choosing a car accident attorney, and we have an over 25-year history of successfully winning car accident cases for wrongfully injured Louisianians.
Contact us now to schedule your free accident case review and learn more about your legal rights.
