Driving through the narrow streets of New Orleans can be frustrating. It can also be dangerous, and multiple collisions happen every day.
In the blink of an eye, a car crash can change the course of your entire life. After an accident, reach out to a New Orleans car accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
At Stewart J Guss Injury Lawyers, our dedicated New Orleans car accident attorneys have seen the devastating aftermath of car crashes firsthand.
We know the struggle of dealing with serious injuries, and we understand the financial anxiety an auto accident can cause for victims and their families.
But car accident victims don’t have to face careless drivers and their unsympathetic insurance companies all by themselves.
When Should You Contact an Experienced New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer?
The short answer is... as soon as you can. If you are looking for a New Orleans auto accident attorney near you to help you with your car accident injuries, we’re here to help!
We are ready to listen 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK—so don’t hesitate to call 800-898-4877 or contact us online to discuss your case with us!
Don’t wait any longer to learn about your legal rights. In most cases, you only have one year to bring a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
One wrong decision or a small delay could mean the difference between receiving compensation to help pay your medical bills and facing mounting expenses on your own. A car accident attorney in New Orleans is ready to answer all of your car accident claims questions.
Below, we'll cover everything from typical causes of New Orleans car accidents to how the claims process works.
We'll also show you how our accident lawyers in New Orleans can help you get the most money from the party who is responsible for your injuries.
How Much Is Your New Orleans Car Accident Claim Worth?
A New Orleans Auto Accident Attorney Can Help You Recover Compensation for Your Losses
Car accidents in New Orleans are traumatic events that can result in a wide range of injuries and losses. Whether you have a broken bone, a traumatic brain injury, or a life-altering disability, the expenses add up quickly.
A critical part of any New Orleans accident injury claim is determining the full extent of your losses so you and your personal injury lawyer know how much compensation to seek.
When calculating the value of your claim, your New Orleans car accident attorney will consider the following:
- Costs of all medical care
- Estimated costs for any future medical care you will need
- Lost income wages from missing work
- Future lost income, if your injuries keep you from returning to your former job
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Permanent disabilities or disfigurement
- Punitive damages in the event of egregious negligence by the defendant
When these damages are added together, you can estimate the total value of your claim. However, the struggle doesn’t stop there. Insurance companies regularly contest the value of car accident claims.
Insurance adjusters may question the severity of your injuries or the necessity of the medical care you received, dismissing your pain and invalidating your feelings every step of the way.
They may also claim you could’ve returned to work sooner than you did because they want to avoid covering your lost wages.
These are only a few of the many ways an insurance company will try to limit its liability. Insurance companies are NOT on your side.
They may even try to tell you that you don’t need to hire a law firm, but this is only an attempt to pay you less than they should.
Let our skilled New Orleans car accident team handle your claim from the very beginning to make sure you have the best possible chance of receiving the maximum car accident settlement amount you deserve.
What are the Typical Causes of New Orleans Auto Accidents?
Driving in the French Quarter can be a nightmare. If you’re commuting to or from the Central Business District, you’re bound to encounter rush hour traffic.
Crowds of tourists on foot only make it worse. Everywhere you look, drivers are breaking the law. Whether they roll through a stop sign, cut you off, text while driving, or make other errors in judgment, dangerous drivers can bring your journey — and your normal daily life — to a screeching halt.
The first step in an injury claim is to identify which party or parties can be held responsible. However, proving a driver was at fault can be challenging, especially if NOPD officers didn’t issue any citations or make any arrests at the scene. This doesn’t mean you should give up, but it does mean you’ll need the help of a law firm with the right resources to determine liability.
When someone else is negligent and causes a car wreck, that party should be held responsible for all your losses. Simple, right? Unfortunately, no. While you may assume that other drivers are always at fault, this is not always the case.
Review our page on New Orleans auto accident statistics or look at some of the common causes of car accidents listed below:
Drunk Driving
New Orleans is a city known for its bars and jubilant nightlife, but each resident still has a responsibility to never get behind the wheel when tipsy.
Unfortunately, not everyone follows this rule. Last year, more than 150 drivers in fatal Louisiana car crashes had blood alcohol levels over the legal limit of .08%. Alcohol was also involved in 35% of all fatal Louisiana motorcycle accidents, 21% of all fatal Louisiana pedestrian accidents, and 25% of all fatal Louisiana bicycle accidents that year.
Motor vehicle accidents also spike during Mardi Gras season due to drunk driving. If you were hurt in a New Orleans drunk driving accident, you deserve justice.
Drugged Driving
This doesn’t just apply to narcotics. Did you know some prescription drugs and even over-the-counter drugs can affect a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle? They may be charged with an impairment DUI if they’ve been substantially affected by their medication, even if it was legally obtained.
Distracted Driving
Every day in America, 8 people are killed by distracted drivers. Cell phones are the biggest temptation drivers face today, but there are numerous other driver distractions like snacking, changing a radio station, applying makeup, and even chatting with passengers. Younger drivers have a higher risk of getting into a distracted driving accident. To avoid an accident, it’s imperative to keep your eyes on the road, keep your hands on the wheel, and keep your mind on driving!
New Orleans distracted driving laws prohibit drivers from using mobile devices to write, send, or read messages or posts. They may only use their phones for GPS features or to report emergencies. Additionally, drivers cannot talk on the phone while passing through a New Orleans school zone. If you break these laws, you will be fined and your license may be suspended. If you injure someone due to distracted driving, you can be held liable.
Fatigued Driving
Studies show drowsy driving can be just as bad as drunk driving! A study by AAA estimated that fatigued driving contributes to approximately 10% of all car crashes, and missing just a few hours of sleep can more than quadruple your risk for a crash. Falling asleep at the wheel is a serious problem because in just a few seconds, a fatigued driver’s car could travel many yards and drift into oncoming traffic and cause a head-on collision.
Speeding
According to the city's code of ordinances, the speed limit for most New Orleans streets is 25 miles per hour. It might be tempting to break this rule when you’re in a rush, but keep in mind that speeding contributes to nearly one third of all car accident fatalities. It's a simple law of physics: the faster two objects are traveling, the greater the force of impact will be when they collide.
Running Red Lights
We all have places to be, but that’s no excuse for disobeying a traffic light. Many broadside collisions, also known as T-bone accidents, occur due to drivers zooming through red lights. Thanks to New Orleans red light cameras, drivers will be fined a minimum of $100 if they’re caught running a red light. Additional fines for speeding apply.
Failing to Yield
When a reckless driver enters an intersection without respecting the right of way, they endanger the lives of others. If a particularly impatient driver fails to yield the right of way at a crosswalk, serious New Orleans pedestrian accidents can happen.
Tailgating
If a driver is tailgating the vehicle in front of them, they won’t have adequate time to avoid a crash if that vehicle stops or encounters an accident up ahead. When driving or stopping behind another vehicle, a good rule of thumb is that you should be able to see where their tires touch the ground. Always leave at least that much space — preferably more!
Dangerous Lane Changes
Aside from tailgating, impatient drivers in New Orleans have other bad habits. Other aggressive driving maneuvers include overtaking a vehicle and cutting someone off during a dangerous lane change. This aggression can surprise other drivers and cause them to stop abruptly. Sideswipe accidents and multi-car pile-ups can happen as a result of this behavior.
Additionally, when it comes to motorcycle accidents, motorcycle riders sometimes put themselves at risk by riding in between lanes of slow or stationary traffic. This maneuver, known as lane-splitting, is illegal in Louisiana.
Dangerous New Orleans Roads
State and local transportation departments in the New Orleans area are notorious for failing to maintain roads and highways. In fact, in recent years, I-10 ranked as the fourth-worst maintained roadway in the entire United States! All too often, drivers hit a pothole or another dangerous road hazard and lose control of their cars, causing them to crash.
There is no excuse for crumbling or cracked roads, and negligent government agencies should fully compensate any injured accident victims. However, Louisiana has specific laws that govern claims against public agencies. If you don’t follow the procedures exactly, you risk losing the compensation you deserve. If you think a road hazard or dangerously designed road caused your crash, call our New Orleans car accident attorneys as soon as you possibly can.
Dangerous Vehicles
Sometimes even the most responsible drivers on the smoothest roads lose control and crash. Often, this happens because an important part of the car malfunctioned without warning. Some vehicle parts that can malfunction and cause accidents include brakes, axles, tires, steering systems, ignition switches, airbags, and more.
Auto manufacturers have a duty to make and sell safe vehicles and parts. When defective design or assembly causes a malfunction, the manufacturer should pay all related losses for an accident victim. However, going up against large corporations is intimidating and challenging. Make sure you have a fierce legal team standing up for your rights against auto manufacturers.
Additionally, 18-wheeler trucks traveling through New Orleans> bring their own set of problems, like big blind spots and wide turns.
Our experienced car accident legal team handles cases involving many different causes of motor vehicle accidents. We can also help you determine if a wrongful death lawsuit is possible after a fatal New Orleans car accident. No matter what caused your accident, we want to help make it right.
FAQs Answered by Our New Orleans Car Accident Lawyers
Car accidents in New Orleans are scary. There is little doubt you have questions, and you need answers to make the best decisions for you and your family. Here are some commonly asked questions the team at Trust Guss Injury Lawyers often answers.
What Steps Should I Take After a Car Accident?
You need to make sure you are safe from further injury.
Additionally, the following will provide evidence that can strengthen your legal position:
- Report the accident to the authorities
- Obtain the other driver’s information
- Get witness contact information
- Take photographs of the accident scene, damage, and injuries
- Seek immediate medical care
- Contact your insurance company
- Contact our New Orleans car accident lawyers at Trust Guss Injury Lawyers. We can help gather this information if you are unable.
Are There Things I Should Avoid After a Car Accident?
Yes! Never give the impression that you were partially at fault for a car accident. This includes making seemingly innocent comments at the scene, like “I’m sorry.”
When discussing an accident with your insurance company, avoid giving a recorded statement and do not say anything that will give the impression that you might be at fault or not injured.
You should also avoid posting on social media sites about the accident. Insurers are liable to check your social media feed to minimize your claim.
How Soon Should I Contact a New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer?
The sooner, the better. You only have one full year to file an accident injury lawsuit. Things will move quickly following your accident.
In many cases, to encourage victims to accept a fast settlement, insurance company adjusters may contact you within a few days of your accident. They may even make a quick offer to settle your claim, usually with a very low amount of money.
Never accept a settlement offer before speaking to an experienced injury lawyer. Insurance companies are hoping you will not realize that as soon as you accept an offer, you will lose any rights to be compensated for any losses that may arise after the settlement.
What Documents Should I Collect or Save After a New Orleans Car Accident?
Certain documents will help bolster your car accident claim. For example, one of the first documents you will need is the accident report. You may request accident reports online approximately 20 days following the accident date.
Some of the other documents we can help collect for you include:
- Medical statement regarding your injuries
- Pay stubs from before the accident
- Receipts for any medical bills you are paying out of pocket
- Receipts for any time you have to take a taxi or rent a car to seek medical care
- Correspondence with the insurance company
- Written notes regarding your day-to-day condition if you are keeping a journal
Please speak with a car accident attorney in New Orleans regarding any other documents they may wish for you to secure.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for Damages?
Like every state, Louisiana has a statute of limitations. After a New Orleans car accident, you have one year to file a civil lawsuit for damages. Discuss this with your lawyer because if you have a serious injury, you may not know how much time you will need to recover.
The longer the recovery time, the longer it may be necessary to wait to file a claim and lawsuit. While this wait may seem frustrating, you must make sure your claim includes all of the financial losses you face from your injury.
Even if you are not fully recovered in one year, you must file a lawsuit to protect your rights or you'll lose the opportunity to recover your losses.
What Should I Do If the Insurance Company Contacts Me?
It is common for the at-fault person's insurance company to contact you shortly after an accident. This is one of the reasons why we recommend you contact an attorney as soon as you are physically able after an accident. Never speak with any insurance adjuster without getting legal advice.
If you have already hired an attorney to represent you following a New Orleans car accident, you should refer the insurance company to them.
If you receive any documents from an insurance company, you should not sign them without having them reviewed by your lawyer.
The Insurance Company Is Asking for a Recorded Statement. Should I Give One?
Under no circumstances should you agree to a recorded statement. It does not matter if the insurance adjuster is your own insurer or the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Despite what they may tell you, insurance companies will not make the process easy for you to collect damages for your losses. In fact, it's quite the opposite. They will do everything possible to minimize their losses, which means minimizing the amount they pay to accident victims.
Typically, when they record a statement, the insurance company will ask you several questions about the accident. They will then begin by asking you what seem to be different questions, but they are the same questions with slightly different wording.
Once they have a complete interview on tape, they will compare your answers. Any discrepancy in your responses will allow them to reduce the amount they are offering as a settlement.
What Amount of Compensation Can I Expect For My New Orleans Car Accident Injury?
It is impossible to answer accurately without specific information. Every car accident is different, and a victim's injuries impact them differently. Most car accident victims can collect both economic and non-economic losses. In general, this is what you may expect:
Economic Losses Car Accident Victims Can Recover:
- Medical bills - All out-of-pocket costs for medical care for the injuries suffered by the victim. This includes treatment of the injury, hospitalization where warranted, tests a victim may need, prescription drugs related to the injury, and rehabilitation costs when necessary.
- Lost income - Your lost income typically starts on the day of your accident. When someone has a serious injury, particularly one that forces them to alter their work schedule or responsibilities, they may need to take long-term pay cuts. When filing a claim, your lawyer can help calculate the loss of wages resulting from your injuries.
- Additional expenses - Some car accident victims have to hire household help, rent a vehicle, or arrange transportation to and from doctor visits. The economic part of your accident injury claim may include these expenses.
Non-Economic Losses You May Claim:
A non-economic loss is challenging to assign a dollar value, such as:
- Victims suffering from car accident PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Victims suffering anxiety, depression, or loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages
Talk to your attorney about what damages you may be eligible to claim following a New Orleans car accident.
How Long Does It Take to Resolve a New Orleans Car Accident Claim?
Several factors will determine how long your accident claim will take to settle, including:
- The extent of your injuries
- The number of parties responsible for your injury
- The willingness of the insurance company to make an offer
- The willingness of the insurance company to negotiate in good faith
- Whether your claim settles out of court or you must go to trial
As you can see, there is no easy answer to this question. You can speak with your attorney regarding the average time their cases have taken to settle.
If an At-Fault Driver Is Facing Criminal Charges, What Does That Mean for My Claim?
In some instances, the at-fault driver may face criminal charges because they were driving recklessly, operating under the influence, or other charges. However, this is not something that should impact your claim.
Criminal law and civil law are two different types of law. You may need to testify in a criminal case. Still, the criminal case outcome will generally not affect your civil case against the driver responsible for your injuries.
How Does a Skilled New Orleans Auto Accident Lawyer Prove Negligence in a Car Accident Claim?
Your lawyer must prove that the responsible party acted negligently in your personal injury claims. Miriam Webster Dictionary defines negligence as “failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances.”
Therefore, on behalf of a victim, the lawyer must prove:
- The driver owed a duty of care
- The driver breached their duty
- As a result of the driver’s breach, the victim suffered an injury
- As a result of that injury, the victim suffered a financial loss
Those operating a motor vehicle on New Orleans roadways must operate safely to avoid injuring another person. A breach of that duty can occur when driving while impaired, falling asleep at the wheel, failing to abide by traffic signals, or using a cell phone while driving.
Proving you suffered an injury and financial losses can also be complicated, so ask your car accident attorney what you need to prove the compensation you deserve.
What Do I Do If I Get a Settlement Offer?
If you have already hired an attorney, the insurance company is obligated to send the settlement offer to the law firm.
Remember, if your lawyer gets an offer from the insurer, they must share that information with you even if they feel that the offer is too low. With the advice of your lawyer, you can make the best decision about whether to accept or reject any offer you receive.
If you receive a settlement offer directly, share it with your attorney. Ask your lawyer to explain the pros and cons of each offer received.
Even when the insurance company says their offer is final, it may not be as final as they would like you to believe.
Can I Get a Good Settlement Without a Lawyer?
No. Insurance companies protect themselves with teams of lawyers. They know that most accident victims do not have an in-depth understanding of the laws that pertain to car accidents.
They also know that you don’t know how they minimize the amounts they pay for injury claims. Insurers would generally prefer to work with claimants not represented by competent legal counsel than those represented by a New Orleans accident injury lawyer because they wind up paying less.
If I Am Out of Work, How Am I Going to Pay for a Lawyer?
When someone is out of work and not collecting a paycheck due to the injury they suffered in a car accident, it is perfectly natural to worry about a potentially significant legal bill.
Here is what you should know about hiring our team at Trust Guss Injury Lawyers:
- Your initial consultation/case evaluation is free
- You never pay any of our legal fees upfront
- If we do not resolve your case, you pay no legal fees
The New Orleans car accident lawyers at Stewart J. Guss Injury Lawyers, accept cases on a contingency fee basis. You never pay us anything upfront to get our team working on your case, representing your interests, and doing what we do best: getting justice for our clients.
You do not have to worry about being shocked by a substantial legal bill at the end of your case. First, our fee comes out of your settlement.
Additionally, we will make sure you understand all fees required for your case ahead of time. We believe in being open about the fees we charge and collect.
If you suffered an injury in a New Orleans car accident or lost a loved one because of a negligent driver, contact Trust Guss Injury Lawyers, today.
Meet New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer Brian Page
Personal injury attorneys are trained to look at the big picture. They know how deeply a car accident impacts someone’s life.
With the help of experts and investigators, they consider all of your future accident-related expenses, not just the ones you’re dealing with today.
By teaming up with a car accident lawyer, you could get an exponentially higher settlement amount than if you’d handled it yourself. When it comes to how to choose an auto accident lawyer, look for someone with local expertise.
Attorney Brian Page is a graduate of the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and is currently licensed to practice in all Louisiana State Courts as well as in Federal Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
As a proud New Orleans resident and Super Lawyers nominee, Brian has dedicated his career to helping his fellow citizens bounce back from life-changing accidents.
His past experience as a private investigator and his commitment to handling cases all the way from intake through trial enables him to meet the needs and expectations of personal injury victims throughout New Orleans.
Brian knows all the tricks insurance companies try to pull to discourage injured victims, and more importantly, he knows how to fight back! Reach out now to hear how Brian can put his experience and skills to work for you.
Why Should You Choose Our New Orleans Auto Accident Attorneys?
Settling a personal injury claim with an insurance company can be a serious struggle. After reading this page, you may think you know how to settle a car accident claim without a lawyer, but trust us: a New Orleans car accident lawyer can help you get much more money after your accident.
Automobile accident claims settlements can be life-changing for victims and their families. But without the expert guidance of a lawyer, they may miss out on the money they deserve.
Our client-first approach means we prioritize customer satisfaction every step of the way. We will treat you with the respect and compassion you deserve during this stressful time because we are dedicated to your recovery. We work fast to connect our clients to the medical care they need at no upfront cost.
We are more than just your attorneys. We are your allies and advocates.
With national recognition, local convenience, and over two decades of experience, Stewart J. Guss Injury Accident Lawyers are proud to serve New Orleans residents.
To see how we can help you, give us a call right now at 800-898-4877 or fill out our simple contact form for a free, convenient, confidential consultation.
Stewart J Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, New Orleans Office
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