Were you injured in a collision with other drivers on the road? Even a minor crash can lead to serious physical injuries, expensive medical bills, and time spent away from work. But when someone else is at fault, you shouldn’t be the one who has to carry the burden alone.
The aftermath of a crash can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it all by yourself. With a Covington car accident lawyer by your side, you’ll have a legal professional advocating for you throughout the entire process.
At Cueria Law Firm, we’re here to represent you as your Covington personal injury lawyer and protect your rights every step of the way. The attorneys at Cueria Law Firm have decades of legal experience. We’ve secured millions in compensation for our clients since 1993.
Fault and Liability in Louisiana Car Accidents
Louisiana upholds a “fault” system when it comes to car accidents. This means that the person who causes the accident is financially responsible for any harm that results from the crash.
Typically, this is handled through that individual’s auto insurance coverage, but in some cases, multiple parties may share blame. Your car accident lawyers in Covington will tackle the responsibility of proving fault and determining liability.
Let’s take a closer look at fault and liability in Louisiana car accidents.
Comparative Fault Rules
Louisiana operates under a comparative fault system. This means that if more than one party is at fault, each party is assigned a percentage of the total amount of responsibility.
An injured person can still recover damages even if they are partially at fault, though their total compensation will be reduced by their percentage of liability. For example, if a driver is awarded $100,000 in damages but found to be 30% at fault for the crash, they will only receive $70,000.
This rule applies regardless of the degree of fault. This means that even drivers who are 90% at fault can still recover 10% of their damages from the other party.
Required Auto Insurance in Louisiana
All drivers in Louisiana are required by law to carry minimum liability insurance coverage. According to the Louisiana Department of Insurance, these are the minimum coverage limits:
- $15,000 for bodily injury to one person
- $30,000 for bodily injury to multiple people in a single accident
- $25,000 for property damage
These are the minimum limits, and many drivers choose to purchase higher coverage to protect themselves more fully. Louisiana also requires insurers to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, although drivers can reject it in writing.
This coverage becomes particularly important in hit-and-run situations or when the at-fault driver does not have sufficient insurance to cover the full extent of your damages.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Covington
Car accidents can stem from a variety of causes. Here are examples of contributing factors that commonly result in car crashes:
- Distracted driving: Using a phone, eating, adjusting the radio, or interacting with passengers can divert attention from the road.
- Speeding: Exceeding posted speed limits or driving too fast for road conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
- Driving under the influence: Alcohol and drug impairment continue to be leading causes of serious collisions in Louisiana.
- Reckless or aggressive driving: Tailgating, weaving through traffic, and ignoring traffic signals can result in high-speed impacts.
- Weather conditions: Rain and fog are common in the Covington area, and both of these conditions can reduce visibility or create slippery roads.
- Fatigue: Tired drivers have slower reaction times, and they are more likely to cause car crashes by falling asleep behind the wheel.
Types of Damages in Louisiana Car Accident Cases
Under Louisiana state laws, car accident victims may be eligible for both economic and non-economic damages. The amount of compensation that you receive will depend on the nature of your injuries and the severity of the accident, among a few other factors.
Economic Damages
These refer to losses that have a clear monetary value:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages or loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
Non-Economic Damages
These are more subjective losses, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
There is no statutory cap on damages in standard personal injury car accident claims in the state of Louisiana, except for claims involving government entities.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims
In Louisiana, you only have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit or claim in pursuit of legal action if the collision happened on July 1, 2024, or any date thereafter. If the crash took place before July 1, 2024, you only have one year to pursue legal action.
Known as a prescriptive period, this deadline applies to both personal injury and property damage claims. It’s important to note that if you fail to file a claim within this period, you could lose your right to recover damages altogether.
Some exceptions may apply, though exceptions are rare. When you reach out to your car accident lawyer in Covington, your attorney can explain how the prescriptive period applies to your case and make sure you file proper documentation before the statute of limitations expires.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Covington for a Free Consultation
If you were hurt in a car crash, you may be overwhelmed by medical bills, stressed about the time you’ve had to take away from work, and in a lot of emotional pain as a result of the entire experience. These crashes can turn your life upside down—but you’re not alone in this.
Instead, turn to the Covington car accident attorneys at Cueria Law Firm. We are ready and willing to stand by your side, help you understand your options, and pursue the compensation you deserve as the victim of a collision.
Don’t wait to contact us. The sooner you reach out to our Covington car accident lawyers, the sooner we can help you move forward. You can count on us to hold the at-fault parties accountable for the damages they caused you as a result of their actions. Call now.