Vermilion Parish Car Accident Lawyer

Vermilion Parish Car Accident Attorney

At the end of the day, insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their goal is to pay as little as possible to a claimant after an accident so that they can make money. Unfortunately, most initial settlement offers are not enough to make a full recovery from a serious car accident. Working with a Vermilion Parish car accident lawyer can help give you the financial resources to heal.

Drive Your Case Forward

If you’re dealing with a personal injury claim and its legal effects, you need to build a strong relationship with an attorney whom you trust. At The Roach Law Firm, our extensive litigation experience can bring an advantage to your case. Different laws apply to different claims, and our team can explain what options work for your situation.

Insurance and Compensation

Most car accident cases are dependent on insurance coverage to cover costs. Louisiana requires drivers to carry car insurance and can limit drivers’ ability to file a claim if they do not have it. If this coverage was not in effect, it would make it harder to recover damages for the accident from the driver who was at fault.

Most insurance companies have the option to purchase underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. These policies can address medical expenses and other costs when the other driver does not have insurance, or their policy is not high enough to cover all the damages. It’s important to purchase this coverage before you need it to receive compensation.

Regardless of coverage limits, insurance companies are usually aiming to offer as little as possible for an accident. Adjusters are in the business of helping the company more than the victims themselves. If you have preexisting conditions, they might try to argue that your injuries were due to these conditions instead of the accident itself. This makes it important to gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even if your claim is strong, it can still be weakened by preventable mistakes. Common pitfalls that insurance companies take advantage of include:

• Accepting a quick settlement. Early settlement offers usually do not cover all of the expenses incurred after an accident. Even if your medical costs go up after the accident, you can’t receive more money after accepting a settlement. With 56.7% of Vermilion Parish residents in the labor force, lost wages might also play a necessary role in a settlement.
• Delaying medical treatment. Waiting to see a doctor can hurt your claim, but it can also hurt your health. Lots of injuries that take place after a car accident don’t seem that serious at the moment, but get worse over time. At the same time, insurance adjusters can argue that your injuries weren’t serious enough if you didn’t seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
• Speaking to insurance adjusters. Sometimes, insurance companies will call you to get a recorded statement. They can be quite friendly over the phone, but anything you say can be used against you in a claim. If you discuss the details too early, you might not know the full situation and could lose out on compensation. This can be relevant for the 8.1% of Vermilion Parish residents without health insurance.
• Posting news on social media. Insurance companies can review your social media accounts to see if you post anything about the accident or your injuries. If you post information about you engaging in certain activities, they can argue that your injuries are not as severe because of these activities.
• Missing the deadline. Louisiana gives most victims two years to file a personal injury claim from the date the accident happened. This is shorter than in some other states. If you miss this deadline, you might lose out on the opportunity to recover any damages. Some individuals might rely on this income to pay bills, including the 17.5% of individuals in Vermilion Parish who are considered to be in poverty.

Avoid these mistakes to give yourself a better chance of receiving an appropriate amount of compensation.

FAQs

Q: What Happens When an At-Fault Driver Has no Insurance or not Enough Insurance After a Car Crash?

A: When the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little insurance after a car crash, it can be harder to get compensated for your injuries. Even though Louisiana requires drivers to have car insurance, people still drive without it. In these cases, some people rely on their uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy to recover damages. If this isn’t available, another legal route might be needed.

Q: How to Get the Optimal Settlement From a Car Accident?

A: To get the optimal settlement from a car accident, you need to have strong evidence and prepare your claim well. The first offer an insurance company sends you will probably not be the most effective. They often hope that the claimant will accept it early to avoid extra costs. Working with a lawyer can help you make a demand letter, which shows the insurance company how much money you need to make a full recovery.

Q: What Evidence Is Helpful for a Successful Car Accident Claim?

A: The evidence that is helpful for a successful car accident claim varies depending on the situation. However, there are some pieces that help a large number of claims, especially visual evidence. Take as many photos of the scene as possible and document your injuries. If there are any witnesses around who saw the accident happen, ask them for contact information so that they can tell what happened to an insurance company.

Q: Should I Accept a Settlement Offer From an Insurance Company?

A: You should not accept a settlement offer from an insurance company without talking to a lawyer first. Once you accept one of their settlements, you are unable to receive more compensation for the same accident, even if your injuries get worse or you experience more damage than you previously thought. You might need to negotiate for a higher amount to cover all the expenses related to the accident.

Don’t Accept a Lowball Offer

If you give up on your car accident claim early, you’re letting the insurance companies win. Working with an attorney can help you push back to receive the money you deserve. Schedule a consultation with The Roach Law Firm to start rebuilding your life by creating an effective personal injury claim.