Personal injuries can happen at any time and are caused by several different factors. Many times, personal injuries occur through the negligence of another person or business. A trusted, personal injury attorney will be able to guide you through the proper steps in order to achieve the compensation that you deserve. Read on to familiarize yourself with the aspects of a personal injury case.
Before you think about any legal or insurance-related recourse for your personal injury, you need to document as best as possible what happened. That means you should:
- Visit a doctor: Your health should be the first priority. You should try to see a medical professional for your car accident or personal injury within 72 hours. A doctor examination will help to find any issues you cannot see, such as soft tissue damage. These types of injuries may not show up till days or even weeks later. This allows your automobile accident or personal injury to be documented, which can be very helpful to your case.
- Write Down / Document What Happened: A car accident can be a very traumatic experience. It can cause our memories to become fuzzy or clouded, or we may have even been hurt or injured. You should try to write down your account of what transpired as soon as possible. Take pictures of any physical harm that was done to you, or your vehicle if you were in a car accident,. Keep receipts of any expenses you may have incurred before you were able to talk to a personal injury attorney. Take note of any work that you may have missed as a result of your accident.
If You’ve Been Injured in Louisiana, You Have Legal Options
If you’ve have been injured in an automobile accident or any accident that has caused personal injury, there are a few different options to choose from when pursuing compensation for damages. You can:
- demand a settlement
- file a lawsuit in court
- file an insurance claim
In all of these situations, an experienced personal injury attorney can be extremely helpful in negotiating damages, insurance claims, and injury settlements.
Process Overview When You’ve Sustained A Personal Injury
- First, a person sustains a personal injury in a car accident, truck accident, offshore accident, or other types of accident.
- A complaint is filed by the plaintiff. A complaint in personal injury law outlines the parties involved, lists the facts that led to the claim. The complaint will also outline the charges that the plantiff has submitted to the court against the defendant.
- A summons is then sent to the defendant, notifying them that they have been sued. The defendant must reply in a timely manner, or risk facing consequences, which are outlined in the summons.
- The defendant named in the summons makes a response, called an “answer”, addressing the complaint.
- Both sides meet to discuss a possible settlement with a judge present.
- If a settlement is not reached between the two parties, a trial takes place.
- Once a verdict is rendered, either side can appeal the decision.
Reaching a Settlement in Your Personal Injury Case
A large percentage of personal injury insurance claims are resolved through settlement without a lawsuit ever being filed. In order to get the most compensation desired per case, a law firm with experience in both settlements and in court decisions would be best suited for your New Orleans personal injury case.
If you’re thinking of settling a legal claim, whether you’re the plaintiff or the defendant, you may want to talk to a personal injury attorney to get their thoughts and advice. Your injury attorney can advise you on what they think the monetary value of your case is, what they believe is a satisfactory verdict, and any strengths or weaknesses your case may have. If you’ve been offered a settlement for a complaint, contact us for a free injury case review to make sure you’re making the right decision.
If Your Personal Injury Case Goes to Trial
If two parties cannot reach an agreement for a settlement, the case moves to trial. A judge or jury will examine all of the gathered evidence of the injury case and decide if the defendant should be held legally responsible for any injuries or harm that the plaintiff is claiming. The defendant also has the chance to refute the plaintiff’s case and offer evidence of what transpired. Once the evidence is presented and heard, the judge or jury gives a verdict. This can be a trying and stressful time, especially if you are required to take the stand in a deposition. It’s important that you have a trusted personal injury attorney in New Orleans who’s on your side and with you every step of the way.
Dealing with the Insurance Company in a Personal Injury Case
There is always a large amount of work that goes into negotiating an insurance settlement and/or in trying a personal injury lawsuit. It is imperative that you seek counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney.
Knowing the necessary channels and proper forms or documentation is key to a successful verdict. Highly skilled injury attorneys have extensive experience in dealing with negotiations in court cases and with insurance companies. These attorneys also have experience in obtaining the necessary evidence to support your claim, including gathering police reports, witness statements, medical records and bills, and employment and lost wage information.
Trusted and experienced legal representation will also be able to assist you in preparing a demand letter for a settlement with the insurance company. If you are unable to settle your case out of court, your attorney will file the initial complaints in court and organize the evidence from your accident to present a strong court case on your behalf.
A Personal Injury Attorney is a Trusted Advocate for Your Case
Hiring an experienced injury attorney to represent you in a New Orleans personal injury case means you will have a professional who is extremely knowledgeable about the relevant laws that will apply and the procedural rules from which you must abide for your court case.
An attorney can inform you of statutes of limitations, which is a legal term for the time limit one has to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. The statute of limitations is usually one year in the state of Louisiana but should be verified on a case-by-case basis by a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.
Most importantly, we, at the Voorhies Law Firm, will fight to defend your personal injury case in front of the judge, the jury, and the defending attorney. Our main role in your personal injury court case is to make sure that your side of the story is heard and that you are compensated for your losses. We serve as your trusted advocate throughout your personal injury claim and we are there for you every step of the way.
If you have been injured in a car or truck accident, let us help you. Call the Voorhies Law Firm with any questions in regard to representing you and your New Orleans personal injury case today!
