Shreveport Car Accident Lawyers | Greenwald Law Firm, LLC

Shreveport Car Accident Lawyer

Being involved in a car accident in Shreveport can be a frightening and stressful situation. It can also be incredibly frustrating if an inattentive or negligent driver caused the collision. When you are in a crash, you often deal with physical pain and mental anguish in the aftermath. You’re also likely dealing with vehicle damage, insurance companies, repairs, getting a rental car, possible injuries, and time off work for your recovery.

That’s where a car accident lawyer comes in. A good attorney can help lower your stress and frustration by taking many of the burdens you’re carrying off your shoulders. They can help provide legal guidance during negotiations with an insurance provider, negotiate a settlement with the other party, or take your case to trial, if necessary.

Anyone hurt in an automobile accident caused by another driver’s negligence deserves compensation for their car accident injury. After a Louisiana car crash, speaking with a Shreveport personal injury attorney like Joey Greenwald at Greenwald Law Firm can help ensure you receive fair compensation for any damages experienced as a result of your accident. Request a free consultation today by calling (318) 219-7867 or filling out our online intake form.

Recovering Financial Compensation for Your Injuries

A reckless or inattentive driver can cause an accident that is life-changing and catastrophic in several ways. As such, car accident victims receiving significant compensation after a wreck is not unusual. Serious collisions frequently leave those involved with severe injuries, property damage, lost wages, and more. Because of this, the victim is often left with a number of financial, emotional, and physical burdens. Car accident attorneys can help obtain damages for such burdens.

Damages are a form of justice available to motor vehicle accident victims. We understand that money can’t bring back someone you have lost or restore your health to its previous state, but financial compensation can help cover things like medical treatment and care, surgical costs, prescriptions, physical therapy, and pain and suffering, among other things.

You should not have to suffer the consequences of another person’s negligent actions. Establishing an attorney-client relationship with a qualified Shreveport car accident attorney gets you on your way to obtaining the fair compensation you deserve.

 

Filing a Louisiana Car Accident Claim

Vehicle accidents take many forms, including T-bone collisions, rear-end accidents, rollover accidents, head-on collisions, and multi-vehicle wrecks. We confidently represent cases ranging from minor fender benders to the wrongful death of a loved one. Filing a claim for a car accident of any kind can be complicated, but the Shreveport car accident lawyers at Greenwald Law Firm can help you navigate the process. Our legal experience and knowledge of Louisiana car accidents allow us to effectively question witnesses, assess photos taken at the scene, look over police reports, and analyze your medical records. With this, we will build and strengthen your case to ensure you are on the road to maximizing your financial recovery.

Shreveport Car Accident Lawyer

How Hard Is It To Pursue a Car Wreck Claim?

Pursuing an auto collision claim can be challenging. That’s because all insurance companies are going to try to pay out as little as possible. Not only this, but an insurance company may also deny your claim or generally make the process extremely long and complicated. When you reach out to a Shreveport car accident lawyer like Joey Greenwald, he will handle all things claim-related, whether that’s negotiating with your insurance company or pursuing a lawsuit in court.

Louisiana Auto Insurance Laws

All Louisiana drivers must have liability insurance in case they are in an auto accident and negligently injure another person. The minimum allowable amount for personal injury is $15,000 for one injured person, $30,000 for more than one injured person, and $25,000 for property damage (15/30/25). Approximately 40% of Louisiana drivers carry the minimum amount, though higher coverage amounts are available.

Louisiana’s 15/30/25 law is among the lowest coverage amount in the U.S., yet more than 13% of drivers still don’t have insurance at all. All drivers should carry at least the minimum amounts required by law to protect themselves and other motorists. In addition, you should have uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This helps if an uninsured driver strikes you or if the costs of your damages and injuries are more than the negligent driver’s insurance coverage limits.

No Pay, No Play In Shreveport-Bossier City Car Accidents

Again, it’s essential to have at least the minimum insurance coverage for your car. That’s because recovery of your damages is limited if you are not insured. Suppose another driver hits you and doesn’t have at least the minimum amount of coverage. In that case, you can’t get compensation for the first $25,000 in property damage or the first $15,000 in bodily injury damages.

On the other hand, if you sustain a brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputated limb, or further disabling or catastrophic injury, you may be able to recover a number of damages over the excluded amount.

In the case that the negligent parties caused the accident on purpose, were committing a felony when the crash occurred, or fled the scene (hit-and-run), this exclusion does not apply. It also does not apply to car accidents caused by a drunk driver. Further, passengers who suffer injuries and do not own the vehicle are not prohibited from collecting total compensation by the “no pay, no play” statute.

Even if you lack insurance but sustained injuries due to the other drivers’ negligence, don’t let it keep you from discussing a potential claim with a Shreveport auto wreck lawyer at Greenwald Law Firm.

 

car accident lawyer in shreveport

Why Is Negligence So Important in Car Accident Cases?

In personal injury claims, it is necessary to prove fault or “negligence” before you are able to obtain damages from the other party. For example, texting and driving is a common form of negligence because your attention must be on the road to operate a vehicle safely. Other distracted driving behaviors that may lead to personal injuries and be considered negligent include:

  • Failure to yield to oncoming traffic
  • Speeding
  • Drunk driving
  • Tailgating
  • Running a red light
  • Not signaling before changing lanes

Suppose your Shreveport car accident lawyers prove the wreck, injuries, or wrongful death happened due to the other driver not using reasonable care. In that case, a personal injury claim or lawsuit is certainly an option for you.

The Duty of Care of the Defendant

Each motorist owes a duty of care to fellow drivers, passengers, and pedestrians sharing the roadways. They are legally required not to cause an unreasonable risk of harm to others.

In Louisiana, the law requires drivers to maintain control of their automobiles at the legally posted speed. Motorists must also be mindful of their surroundings and other vehicles, including passenger cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles such as 18-wheelers.

Duty of care also applies to other entities, including mechanics, vehicle manufacturers, employees driving company vehicles, government agencies responsible for road maintenance, and establishments serving alcohol. It is a priority to establish that the other driver or entity was under this duty of care when your injury occurred.

Determining Liability in a Car Accident Claim

Determining who was at fault in motor vehicle accidents can be tricky. Liability encompasses the legal and financial responsibilities owed to victims by the person responsible for the crash. Cases are much simpler when liability is apparent. However, clear liability is easier to determine in two-vehicle accidents. The process is more complex with multiple vehicles involved in a wreck, and more than one person or entity may share the blame.

A personal injury attorney aims to demonstrate that the defendant acted negligently and must pay compensation for your serious injuries, property damages, and any other losses you may have sustained. As mentioned before, negligence occurs when a driver doesn’t exercise reasonable care in their responsibilities as a driver.

Insurance companies will work to determine fault. They have claims adjusters who investigate the claim, interview witnesses, evaluate evidence, and ultimately decide who is to blame. However, these adjusters will do whatever it takes to save themselves money, whether that’s assigning blame to the other party or denying your claim altogether. Your Shreveport car accident lawyer will work hard to prove the other driver is the negligent party and will question all involved parties, including witnesses, and gather evidence to support your claim.

Whenever disputes arise between the parties involved in the wreck, your attorney can file a lawsuit, which may even end up in court if not settled. Insurance companies typically don’t want to go to court because they’ll pay legal fees on top of the accident costs. However, if the case doesn’t settle, the court will go over the evidence and assign fault. If your case reaches this point, your Shreveport LA personal injury law firm will aggressively represent you at trial.

car accident attorney shreveport

What Damages Could I Get from a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Compensation in an injury lawsuit may be divided into both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are monetary losses and include things like repairing or replacing damaged automobiles, past and future medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs.

Non-economic damages are harder to calculate because they cannot be calculated based on things like bills or receipts. This includes pain and suffering, disfigurement or disability, or emotional distress.

The unique circumstances of your crash determine what types of compensation are available. Your damages could include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Diminished future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Vehicle damage
  • Court-ordered punitive damages

In addition, if a fatal crash claims the life of a loved one, you could file a wrongful death claim to recover:

  • Financial earnings lost due to your loved one’s passing
  • Loss of companionship and consortium
  • Lost guidance and comfort for the deceased’s children
  • Funeral costs

These are the most common damages, but many others could still apply to your case.

Read Also: How Much To Expect From a Car Accident Settlement

What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?

Minor injuries received in auto accidents typically heal within a few days without medical intervention. However, more severe injuries can result in permanent disabilities and lifelong struggles.

After a car crash, some of the most common injuries are whiplash, concussions, cuts and open wounds, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, broken bones and fractures, and back strains.

Read Also: 7 Most Common Car Accident Injuries

Keep in mind that adrenaline rushes through your body during and after an event like a car accident Shreveport. As a result, you may not notice injuries or develop pain and symptoms for a while. Be careful not to compromise or lower the value of a future claim without first getting a complete look at your possible injuries.

Also, remember that it is common for insurance companies to try to settle claims right away to avoid a future payout. However, if you accept a quick settlement, the insurer may bar you from future compensation for a late-developing injury once the insurance claim settles.

Read Also: What Happens If My Injuries Don’t Show Up Right Away?

car accident settlement money louisiana

How Much Can I Get For My Car Accident Settlement?

The average personal injury settlement amounts encompass a wide range. The amount you receive depends on the circumstances of your accident, your damages and medical costs, and both yours and the defendant’s insurance coverage. It also depends on whether any portion of the fault is assigned to you.

Read Also: Comparative Negligence Matters For Your Personal Injury Case

How Long Will It Take To Settle My Car Accident Case?

It can take anywhere from a few months up to a few years before your Louisiana insurance claim settles. In general, there are two main factors affecting how long it takes to settle your case: injuries and insurance companies.

More severe injuries require more treatment and time to heal. For example, if you need surgery, your physician needs time to determine whether the operation was a success and whether future operations or treatment may be necessary.

Meanwhile, insurance companies are often difficult to work with and do everything they can to deny or drag out your claim. Your settlement timeline may also be longer if there is an investigation of your accident and the number of persons or entities involved in your insurance claims.

However, the most important thing to remember is that you should not settle your claim until you receive full and complete treatment for your injuries. Any payout made before that point in your recuperation is speculative. That means it’s a guess regarding the appropriate amount of money needed to pay for your future medical care.

Read Also: How Long Does It Take To Get a Settlement From a Car Accident?

​​How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Under Louisiana Article 3492, there is a one-year statute of limitations from the date of the injury or death to file personal injury and wrongful death claims. However, exceptions do exist for permanent disability cases or minors.

Regardless, it’s best to move quickly after your accident if you choose to file a claim. That way, you don’t have to worry about running out of time.

How Much Will It Cost Me To Hire a Car Wreck Attorney?

When it comes to car wrecks, most injury lawyers won’t charge for handling your case. Instead, they get paid on a contingency-fee basis. This means your auto accident lawyer doesn’t get paid unless they recover compensation for you.

Many law firms cover all litigation and court expenses. Doctor visits, court costs, or expert witness fees are covered. Once your personal injury lawyer wins your case, they’re automatically reimbursed from your settlement. The average contingency fee paid to your legal representative for handling your case is 33%. If a lawsuit is filed or the case goes to court, the fee increases.

car wreck attorney shreveport

Do I Need a Car Wreck Attorney?

Legal assistance is essential in every case. Paying out as little as possible is the insurance company’s number one priority. Your car accident attorney in Shreveport LA helps you fight that by properly defending your claim while avoiding insurance companies’ traps. According to the Insurance Research Council, personal injury victims that hire a lawyer get 3.5 times more settlement money after their attorney receives their fee.

Overall, an attorney can handle the intricate details while you recover from your injuries or grieve the death of a loved one. Let Greenwald Law Firm handle this difficult situation for you.

Read Also: Should I Hire a Non Injury Car Accident Attorney?

Call Our Car Accident Lawyers in Shreveport LA Today

You should focus on recovering financially, physically, and emotionally after you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident Shreveport. But that is difficult when you’re also battling insurance adjusters over your legal claim. Attorney Joseph Greenwald, Jr. takes over this burden for you while holding the responsible party liable and fighting to maximize your compensation.

The Greenwald Law Firm’s goal is to help you recover damages following your injury or loss of a loved one. Call a Shreveport car accident lawyer today for a free case evaluation at 318-219-7867.

In addition to car accidents, our Shreveport lawyers handle a range of practice areas, including Shreveport estate planning, oilfield injury, Shreveport criminal defense, and so much more.

Greenwald Law Firm LLC has experience representing clients across Louisiana for almost 20 years. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, know your legal rights. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office at 318-219-7867.
Call Now Button