Car accidents occur regularly in New Orleans, and no two are alike. There are many reasons an accident can occur, from a distracted driver to unsafe roadways.
If you live in Orleans Parish, Jefferson Parish, St. Tammany Parish, Plaquemines Parish, or Lafourche Parish and need a New Orleans car accident lawyer, the team at Cueria Law Firm, LLC, is here to offer support and guidance with our decades of experience and free initial consultations.
A skilled New Orleans personal injury lawyer from Cueria Law Firm can help you understand who may be liable and then work diligently to represent your interests, whether it’s seeking a fair settlement or taking your case to court if needed.
How Our New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you want to know more about the firm and what we do, here are a few ways the experienced attorneys at Cueria Law Firm can help you.
Fair Settlement Negotiations
We’re adept at dealing with insurance companies. They often try to minimize what they pay out.
We counter that with strong negotiation tactics to aim for a settlement that meets your needs.
Trial Readiness
If an insurer refuses to make a fair offer, we’re prepared to take your case to trial. Our lawyers have years of experience presenting cases to juries and achieving favorable results.
Here are a few of our successes that we’re especially proud of.
Dealing With Insurers
The insurance claim process can be daunting. We serve as your intermediary, making sure your voice is heard and your rights are fully upheld.
Thorough Investigations
We do our homework. By gathering all necessary documents and evidence, we ensure that every angle of your accident is explored to support your case.
This may include evidence collected at the accident scene as well as the police report.
Serious Injury Cases
Our firm is well-versed in handling severe injuries with personal injury lawsuits.
Whether it involves long–term rehabilitation or life–changing conditions, we’re equipped to address the gravity of your situation.
5 Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident
The steps you take after a car crash can significantly affect your ability to receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Here are five critical mistakes to avoid, particularly within the context of Louisiana’s personal injury laws.
Giving a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company
After an accident, insurance adjusters may ask you to provide a recorded statement. While this may seem like a standard procedure, it can be a mistake.
Anything you say can be used to minimize your claim or argue that you were at fault.
Under Louisiana law, you are not obligated to provide a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company. You should speak with an attorney before giving any formal statement.
Delaying Treatment for Medical Needs
Failing to seek immediate medical attention can harm both your health and your personal injury claim.
If you wait too long to get medical treatment, the insurance company may argue that your injuries were not serious or were not caused by the accident.
To get maximum compensation, you should document your injuries and treatments, as this information will be crucial when negotiating a settlement or presenting your case in court.
Seeing Only Doctors Recommended by an Insurance Company
While it may seem convenient to go to a doctor recommended by an insurance company, this could be detrimental to your claim.
These doctors may be more inclined to minimize the severity of your injuries or suggest a quicker return to work than your condition warrants.
You have the right to choose your own doctor in Louisiana, and doing so can help ensure that you receive an unbiased assessment of your injuries.
Not Telling the Truth
Honesty is paramount when dealing with the aftermath of a car accident.
Exaggerating or misrepresenting your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, or the circumstances of the accident can severely undermine your credibility and your claim.
Under Louisiana’s comparative negligence system, even if you are partially to blame for the accident, you may still recover damages. There is no need to alter any facts, as the truth will be your strongest ally in a personal injury claim.
Settling Your Case Without Talking to a New Orleans Car Accident Attorney
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is settling your case without consulting a New Orleans auto accident attorney.
Insurance companies are adept at convincing accident victims to accept lowball offers that do not fully compensate for their damages.
At Cueria Law Firm, our attorneys can properly value your claim, guide you through Louisiana’s legal system, and advocate on your behalf.
A compassionate and passionate legal team can be the difference between a settlement that barely covers your current expenses and one that fully addresses both your immediate and long-term needs. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Compensation in Auto Accident Claims
Under Louisiana’s personal injury laws, individuals injured in car accidents have the right to seek compensation for their losses.
Understanding the types of damages available, the process of valuing a claim, and strategies for dealing with insurance companies and settlement negotiations is crucial for victims to achieve a fair outcome.
Types of Damages Available to Car Crash Victims
Louisiana law recognizes several types of damages that can be recovered in a car accident claim:
- Economic Damages: These are damages with a specific monetary value attached, such as medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and property damage.
- Non-Economic Damages: These damages compensate for non-monetary losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. These damages are more subjective and require a thorough assessment of how the injuries have affected the victim’s quality of life.
- Punitive Damages: While not as common, punitive damages may be awarded in cases where the defendant’s behavior is found to be especially reckless or egregious. Their purpose is to punish the wrongdoer and prevent similar conduct in the future.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action brought by the surviving family members of a person who died due to another party’s negligence or misconduct.
In the context of a car accident, this could be filed against a negligent driver, vehicle manufacturer, or other responsible parties.
The specific amount and types of damages available depend on the circumstances of the case and the relationship between the deceased and the plaintiffs. In New Orleans, wrongful death damages may include:
- Loss of love, affection, and companionship
- Loss of financial support
- Medical expenses related to the deceased‘s final injury or illness
- Funeral expenses and burial costs
- Loss of benefits (e.g., insurance, pension)
- Mental anguish and emotional suffering of surviving family members
Determining Negligence in a Comparative Fault State
In Louisiana, fault in car accidents is determined by the principle of “comparative fault,” where multiple parties may share fault for a crash.
Under the comparative negligence rules in Louisiana, each driver (and sometimes other parties, like pedestrians, cyclists, or manufacturers in the case of defective products) involved in an accident may be assigned a percentage of fault.
For example, one driver could be found to be 70% at fault for running a red light, while the other could be 30% at fault for speeding. If a lawsuit is filed, the court will calculate the total damages and then reduce each party’s recoverable damages by their percentage of fault.
Calculating Your Losses
Determining the value of a car accident claim in Louisiana involves considering the full extent of the damages suffered.
This includes tallying all economic damages, like medical expenses and lost earnings, both current and projected into the future.
Non-economic damages are more subjective and require a thorough assessment of how the injuries have affected the victim’s quality of life.
In some instances, experts may be called upon to project future costs and to quantify pain and suffering.
Dealing With Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters play a key role in the claims process. Their goal is to settle claims quickly and for as little as possible.
Victims should understand that adjusters are skilled negotiators acting in the interest of the insurance company.
Victims should be cautious when speaking with adjusters, as any statements made may be used to minimize the claim’s value.
You should consult with an attorney who has extensive experience negotiating with insurance providers before engaging in detailed discussions with an insurance adjuster.
Settlement Negotiation Tactics
Negotiating a settlement for a car accident claim can be complex. Here are some strategies that our car crash lawyers may use:
- Preparation: Being thoroughly prepared with evidence, documentation, and a clear understanding of claim value is essential.
- Patience: Insurance companies may try to pressure victims into settling quickly. You must be patient and not accept the first offer if it does not fully cover your damages.
- Professional Representation: Having experienced legal representation can level the playing field against insurance companies.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution: Techniques such as mediation can be a cost-effective and less adversarial way to reach a settlement.
- Willingness to Proceed to Trial: Showing a willingness to go to court, if necessary, can sometimes motivate an insurer to make a fair offer to avoid the unpredictability of a jury decision.
In all these aspects of compensation in car accident claims, the aim is to ensure that victims are fairly compensated for their losses and that their legal rights are fully exercised within the framework of Louisiana’s personal injury laws.
What Sets the Awesome Team at Cueria Law Firm Apart?
Selecting the right legal representation after a car accident in New Orleans is pivotal.
Cueria Law Firm stands out for its commitment to clients and deep understanding of local Louisiana personal injury laws.
Our Experience With Car Accident Cases in New Orleans
At Cueria Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys bring years of focused experience to the table.
We’ve handled numerous car accident cases in New Orleans, giving us a keen insight into the challenges and nuances of each legal claim.
Our familiarity with the local roads, traffic patterns, and state-specific statutes, including Louisiana’s direct action statute, equips us to manage your case with precision.
Our New Orleans car accident attorneys are adept at interpreting Louisiana’s comparative fault rules. They ensure that your story is heard and your interests are vigorously represented, whether in settlement negotiations or at trial.
Our Approach to Personalized Legal Representation
We emphasize personalized legal representation.
At Cueria Law Firm, you are more than just a file. You are a valued member of our community who is in need of guidance and support.
Our attorneys take the time to understand the particulars of your situation, ensuring that the legal strategy we develop is tailored to your specific needs.
Our commitment to personal attention means that we’ll be with you every step of the way, from the initial consultation to the resolution of your case, providing updates, and answering your questions to ensure you’re informed and comfortable with the proceedings.
No Win, No Fee Commitment
Cueria Law Firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which reflects our confidence in our ability to represent your interests effectively. This no-win, no-fee promise ensures that you can seek justice and financial compensation without the burden of upfront legal costs. We only get paid if we secure a financial recovery for you.
Our contingency fee arrangement is designed to alleviate the financial stress often associated with legal action, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we concentrate on obtaining the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Choosing Cueria Law Firm means partnering with a team that has the experience, dedication, and client-focused approach necessary to navigate your car accident claim in New Orleans. Let us help you on the road to recovery.
Top-Rated Legal Assistance to Pursue Fair Compensation
If you’ve been in a car accident in New Orleans, you should have someone by your side who thoroughly understands how to navigate the local legal system.
Cueria Law Firm offers practical support and guidance to those who have been injured on the road.
Our team of skilled New Orleans car accident attorneys is well-versed in Louisiana’s comparative fault rules and is dedicated to helping you understand your rights and options.
Should your case require further action, Brent Cueria is prepared to represent you in court, guiding you through each step of the litigation process with clarity and purpose.
Our office provides a central and convenient meeting point for clients in and around New Orleans.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer
Whether you live in one of the local parishes or whether you’re visiting us from the French Quarter, the Garden District, or any other neighborhood in the city, you’ll find our location to be both accessible and well-connected.
We are proud to have been a part of this thriving community since 1993 and are ready to serve the legal needs of our fellow residents with our decades of experience.
When you need a New Orleans car accident lawyer, reach out to Cueria Law Firm for a free consultation, and take an important step toward addressing your needs after an accident.
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