Were you recently injured in a car accident in Metairie, LA? If so, you may be feeling overwhelmed by medical bills, pain, lost wages from time missed from work, and property repair estimates. Our skilled Metairie car accident lawyers are here to help. Contact Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers at (504) 323-6000 for a free consultation.
With 26 years of combined experience, our lawyers will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Don’t delay getting the legal guidance and support you need in the aftermath of a collision.
How Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Car Accident in Metairie
If you were injured in a crash, you can count on Santana & Blanchard, LLC to advocate for you. Our Metairie personal injury lawyers are prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve.
You can expect us to do the following for your case:
- Conduct a thorough investigation
- Gather and analyze evidence
- Develop a strategy tailored to your specific needs
- Discuss your legal options
- Handle communications with insurance companies
- Consult experts and accident reconstructionists
- Combat claims that you’re at fault for the crash
- Ensure you comply with applicable deadlines
- Negotiate for a settlement on your behalf
- Represent you at trial if needed
We recognize the physical pain and emotional distress that comes with being involved in an auto accident. Reach out to our law office today to schedule a free consultation with a Metairie auto accident attorney and learn more about how we can help with your case.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Hiring an auto accident lawyer can help level the playing field when you’re up against an insurance company. An attorney can prevent the insurer from undervaluing your claim, shifting blame to you, or denying your claim entirely.
After a collision, you will likely have to deal with an insurance company and go through the auto accident claims process. This can be challenging to deal with on your own as you deal with lost wages and medical expenses.
Having an experienced legal team on your side, equipped with experts, can help make the process more manageable. The insurance companies will have negotiators, experts, and attorneys working for them, and you should too.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This fee agreement allows accident victims to retain excellent representation without having to take on the financial burden of paying legal fees upfront.
Instead, you are only responsible for attorney’s fees if you are able to resolve your case through settlement or a trial verdict.
If you lose your case, you’re not required to pay the attorney’s fees. If your case is won, your lawyer will receive an agreed-upon percentage of your trial award or settlement.
You don’t have to take on a financial risk to get the legal help you need after a crash. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about contingency fee.
How Much Is My Metairie Car Accident Case Worth?
Each case is different; however, the value of most depends on a few crucial factors.
The following factors impact the amount you can recover as a result of an auto accident:
- The type of collision
- The severity of your injuries
- The medical treatment that you require
- How much time you miss from work
- Whether you suffer a permanent disability
- The strength of the evidence available
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Vehicle repair estimates
- Applicable insurance policy limits
- Whether you’re partially to blame for the collision
- The impact that the crash has on your overall quality of life
We will assess the value of your case, considering your pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses. Then we will ensure that you don’t settle for less than what you deserve.
What Type of Damages Are Available After a Car Accident?
If you were injured in a crash in Louisiana, you could be entitled to economic damages for financial losses and non-economic damages for emotional suffering.
Economic damages may be recovered for the following:
- Past medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Diminished earning capacity
It can be stressful to deal with receipts, bills, and invoices while focusing on healing. We can keep track of your financial losses and work to ensure you get the full compensation you deserve.
Non-economic damages may include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Reduced quality of life
The emotional harm you endure as a result of the crash may be a significant portion of your personal injury claim.
In rare instances involving a drunk driver in Louisiana, punitive damages may be available to punish the at-fault motorist and deter similar conduct.
Our skilled legal team can evaluate your claim and help you seek all available damages.
Can I Get Money if I was Partly At Fault for the Accident?
Yes, you can still get money even if you’re partly at fault for your auto accident. Louisiana is a pure comparative negligence state that allows you to still recover compensation if you’re partially at fault. However, your compensation is reduced in proportion to your share of the blame.
For example, if your damages are valued at $50,000 and you are found to be 50% at fault for the collision, you may only receive $25,000 in compensation.
Claims that you were partly to blame for the collision can significantly impact your ability to recover full compensation. A personal injury attorney can help fight back against unfair blame being assigned to you and help you pursue just compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Case in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, you typically have two years to file an auto accident claim if your crash occurred on or after July 1, 2024. If your accident occurred before that date, you may only have one year to bring a case. If a loved one died due to the collision, you also have one year to bring a wrongful death claim.
If you fail to bring your claim before the statute of limitations expires, you will be barred from recovering damages from the at-fault party. You only have a limited time to take legal action after a crash occurs. It is important to act quickly to ensure you don’t lose your right to seek just compensation.
Take the first step and contact our law office today to begin the process. We’ll keep track of filing deadlines while you focus on healing and moving forward.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
At Santana & Blanchard, LLC, we have extensive experience handling various types of car accident claims, including the following:
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are one of the most devastating types of injuries. These crashes often result in life-altering injuries and even fatalities. Our head-on collision lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Intersection Accidents
Intersections are often chaotic, leading to serious collisions. When intersection accidents occur, it may be difficult to determine who’s at fault. Our Metairie intersection accident attorney can conduct an investigation to identify who may be liable for your injuries.
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Hit-and-run crashes can be extremely complex to navigate on your own. You may need help determining who caused the crash or bringing a claim. Our hit-and-run crash lawyer can explain your legal options and how to best move forward.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents can result in catastrophic injuries for motorists and passengers. When this happens, you may be left with significant medical expenses and time missed from work. Our Metairie rollover accident attorney is here to make this challenging time easier for you.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions often lead to vehicle damage and minor to severe injuries for those involved. It is crucial to work with an experienced legal team that can protect your rights in the aftermath of these types of crashes. Our rear-end collision lawyer is here for you.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Metairie?
After an auto accident in Metairie, the first thing you should do is ensure your safety. Once safe, these are the steps it is helpful to take the following steps after a collision:
- Get immediate medical attention
- Report the accident to law enforcement and secure a crash report
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene and any visible injuries
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other drivers involved
- Document what occurred at the accident scene, including the weather and road conditions, what led to the crash, and how you feel
- Get the contact information and statements from any witnesses
- Notify your insurance company that a crash occurred
- Contact a car accident attorney to discuss your options as soon as possible
Accident scenes are often chaotic and stressful, but understanding what to do when the unexpected happens can make this difficult time easier.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Auto accident injuries can range from minor bruises to life-altering spinal cord injuries and even fatalities. Some of them include the following:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Head and traumatic brain injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Burn injuries
- Concussions
- Soft tissue injuries
- Nerve damage
- Chest injuries
- Amputation
- Paralysis
If you sustain injuries in a crash, receiving prompt medical treatment can help improve your well-being and also help with a subsequent personal injury claim.
Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
Most auto accidents are caused by negligence, when a driver fails to adhere to traffic laws and drive with caution. Some causes of auto accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Disobeying traffic laws
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding
- Failure to signal turns properly
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Aggressive driving
- Poor weather and road conditions
- Running red lights
No matter how your crash occurred, our team can work to identify who’s at fault, what led to the crash, and the compensation you may be owed.
Call Our Metairie Car Accident Lawyers Today for Help
If you were injured in a collision in Louisiana, the legal team at Santana & Blanchard, LLC has over 26 years of combined experience helping accident victims recover compensation.
Reach out to our Metairie car accident attorney for a free consultation.
Aditional Resources
- Highway Safety – Louisiana Emergency Response Network
- Distracted Driving – The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission
- Traffic Safety Laws – The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission
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Auto Accident Infographic
