The Law Offices of Blaine Barrilleaux is a devoted firm of personal injury lawyers and car accident lawyers standing by to help victims in Lafayette, Louisiana. We want to make sure that you understand your legal options. The personal injury lawyers and car accident lawyers in our office are fully devoted to providing aggressive legal representation to help you get the compensation that you need. We know how stressful recovering from an accident can be. Our goal is to provide you with compassionate attention while handling the other involved parties on your behalf.
Personal Injuries & Car Accidents Are Caused by Negligence
When someone suffers from a personal injury, such as a car accident, in Lafayette, Louisiana, the court and the insurance companies consider is negligence. In plain English, this means that we’re looking at fault. Who is at fault for causing the accident? When you’re hurt, that may seem like an easy question to answer. Yet, there are certain elements that must be present to create the legal concept of negligence.
- There must be a duty owed. We’ll use a car accident as an example since it is a common personal injury claim in Lafayette. Every driver has several legal duties to other drivers. For instance, drivers have a legal duty to drive the speed limit and obey stop lights and street signs.
- The duty must be breached. When a duty is breached, it means that the person didn’t do what they were legally obligated to do. So, speeding or running a red light would be a breach of the duty owed to other drivers.
- The breach of duty caused the accident. If a duty is breached and there is no accident, there are almost no grounds for a legal claim. For a personal injury claim to be viable, the breach of duty must be the proximate cause of the accident. This is commonly referred to as the but-for test. But for the other person running the red light, your car wouldn’t have been totaled and you wouldn’t have broken your leg.
- You must have damages. Common damages include medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and loss of wages. Of course, that’s not an all-inclusive list. The type of damages, and how much you may be eligible to recover, depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident. You should have your claim evaluated by an experienced personal injury or car accident lawyer.
What Should You Do If You’re Hurt in Lafayette, Louisiana?
Getting hurt in an accident of any kind is devastating. It’s not something that people really expect to happen. If it does, it can be hard for you to know what to do. Use this list to protect your legal rights:
- Call the police to come and take a report. The police report is an important component of personal injury and car accident claims. It gives an unbiased opinion related to what caused the accident. The police can also help you get personal and insurance information from the other party.
- Get emergency medical attention, if necessary. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Don’t wait. It’s important that you protect your health.
- Document the scene. If you don’t need emergency medical care, document the scene of the accident. Take photos of the accident site and any hazard that caused your injury. Take photos of all the vehicles involved in a car accident. You should also take photos of the street’s condition. This can help you in your claim. Also, take pictures of any injuries that you have.
- Get medical attention. Make an appointment to see your doctor or go to an urgent care clinic to assess any potential injuries you have suffered. Minor injuries can get much worse if they are left untreated. If you don’t get medical attention and later decide to pursue a legal claim, the other side may argue that you weren’t really hurt.
- Call a personal injury lawyer or a car accident lawyer. A qualified lawyer can help you deal with the insurance company and the opposing party. Your lawyer looks out for what is in your best interest.
Lafayette’s Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers
The Law Offices of Blaine Barrilleaux helps victims who were hurt because of:
- Car accidents
- 18-wheeler accidents
- Maritime and offshore accidents
- On-the-job accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bite injuries
We’ve made it our mission to put our more than 20 years of legal experience to work for personal injury victims in Lafayette, Louisiana and the surrounding areas. We fight for you and help you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
Many personal injury claims never go to court because the parties decide to settle. Our personal injury lawyers and car accident lawyers will represent you during the settlement process. If the settlement process fails, we’ll represent you in court.
How Long Does It Take?
How long a personal injury lawsuit or settlement takes depends on several factors. How willing are the parties to come to an agreement? Will the claim need to be heard in court? How long does it take to get through the discovery process? There’s no single way to answer the question of how long the process will take.
Speaking of time, there’s another important aspect to consider. If you’re hurt because of the negligence of another person, Louisiana law says that you only have one year from the day of the accident to file the claim. Make sure that you call The Law Offices of Blaine Barrilleaux as soon as you can after you’re hurt.
Call Today to Schedule Your Consultation
If you’ve been hurt in Lafayette, Louisiana or the surrounding area, call The Law Offices of Blaine Barrilleaux today to schedule your consultation. We’ll let you know if you have a potential case and explain your legal options. Call us now: 337-989-1212.