While car accidents make up a majority of our work, we handle all sorts of injury claims, including falls, motorcycle accidents, burn/explosion cases, medical negligence, assaults, defective product claims, and nearly any scenario that causes injury to our clients.

Because there is so much difference from one case to the next, there is no rule as to how long a case might take. Simple cases involving minor injuries often resolve in five to seven months, while in other cases the medical treatment alone may extend over a couple of years.

Though suit is filed on many cases, the majority of cases still settle before trial. Court records establish that less than 10% of claims will go to full trial.

We have a number of strategies to help address this question, and our resources and relationships in this area are one reason many of our clients return to us or refer their family members, who may need medical treatment but lack insurance or sufficient cash flow to obtain care. We can very often facilitate treatment that would be otherwise unavailable.

Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315 provides that the at-fault party owes all losses reasonably attributed to the accident, including lost wages, medical expenses, damage to property, pain & suffering, mental & emotional distress, future medical expenses and earnings impairment, and more. Some cases include fact patterns that may give rise to claims for penalty damages and attorney’s fees.

Louisiana has one of the shortest claim filing periods in the country. In many cases, your rights will be lost if suit is not filed within one year of the accident. Other claims, such as contract disputes, may provide for a longer time period.

Louisiana is a “comparative fault” state, meaning the judge or jury in a case may allocate fault among plaintiffs and defendants or even non-parties to the suit. A plaintiff found to be 10% at fault would still collect 90% of their damages, in most cases.

The value of the case is based on the type and degree of harm suffered, the cost to treat the injury or repair the damage. Case values may differ from one region or court to the next, and amount of recovery may be affected by amount of available insurance coverage. Each case has unique factors that will affect it’s value, and thus it’s best to speak to a lawyer with experience in the area where your case will be tried.

We are able to deliver the best value to our clients when they engage our services early after they have suffered a loss, and communicate well with us during treatment and pre-trial proceedings. Proper case management avoids mis-statements, confusion, and unnecessary delays, as well as minimizing the “dirty tricks” claims handlers often use on unrepresented claimants.

Typically, the insurer for the at-fault party will issue payment upon settlement or final judgment. We also have experience collecting judgments from uninsured defendants in certain cases.

Because teenagers are at such high risk of getting tickets and accidents, their insurance premiums are expensive. And under Louisiana law, insurance companies have the right to raise rates after even one moving violation or accident in which the driver is more than 50 percent at fault. But there are also steps the driver and their parents can take to minimize the damage.

Yes, to get licensed in Louisiana, teenagers must take a school or an alternative education program and complete a comprehensive driver training program. Louisiana requires minors to take 30 hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of behind-the-wheel training with an approved instructor as part of the Graduated Driver Licensing Program. The program is designed to give teens more leeway to drive as they gain maturity, skill and experience – and to hopefully avoid getting in a wreck.

If your teen borrows a friend’s car and gets into an accident while driving, things could get pretty complicated. While the driver’s insurance coverage will be the one expected to pay for your child’s mistake (if they had permission to drive), it could quickly become messier. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-pressure consultation to discuss your case.

As a rule of thumb, any licensed driver in your household and one that uses your vehicle(s) on a regular basis should be listed on your insurance policy — including your teenagers. A proactive approach to ensuring your family is covered can save you tens of thousands of dollars in legal bills and a number of other unpleasant headaches.

It’s your choice as to whether to add your child to your insurance or purchase a new policy, but all drivers in the state of Louisiana are required to have auto insurance at the following levels:

• $15,000 per person for bodily injury
• $30,000 per collision for bodily injury
• $25,000 for property damage