If you’ve suffered a car accident in Louisiana, you’re likely wondering how you’re going to pay for your damages. Medical bills pile up, your car may be totaled, and you may even be out of work for a while as you nurse your injuries.
Louisiana is a tort state, or an “at-fault” state. Under state law, in any action for damages where a person suffers injury, death, or loss, the degree or percentage of fault of all persons causing or contributing to the injury, death, or loss shall be determined, regardless of the person’s insolvency or ability to pay. This means, the driver who causes the accident in Louisiana uses their insurance to pay for the other driver’s damages.
If you suffer a car accident in Louisiana that was someone else’s fault, that person will be required to pay your deductible. However, sometimes insurance companies make getting the help you need difficult. That’s one of the many reasons why it’s wise to contact a lawyer after getting into a car accident. WIth their help, you’ll never have to settle for less than you deserve.
What Does My Liability Insurance Cover?
If you file a personal injury claim after a car accident, the insurance of the at-fault driver should cover the following damages:
- Medical bills: You shouldn’t have to be burdened with the high cost of medical care, especially if the accident wasn’t your fault. This compensation intends to cover the cost of emergency room care, hospital visits, surgeries, recovery such as physical and occupational therapy, and any other medical costs associated with your injuries from the accident.
- Transportation: Some serious injuries require visits to specialists or doctors who are far away. If you accrue any travel costs while taking care of your injuries after the accident, you will be compensated for this.
- Lost wages: Most serious injuries keep accident victims out of work for quite some time. If you have to stay home to nurse your injuries, you will be compensated for your lost wages and diminished future earnings.
- Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering is not to be overlooked. After a traumatic accident, it can be difficult to nurse your mental health back. For this reason, you can be compensated for your pain and suffering after an accident.
If the accident is someone else’s fault, all of this coverage should cost you nothing. However, it’s important to stay diligent after a car accident, as insurance companies are notorious for trying to pay out far less than accident victims deserve. This is one of the many reasons why it’s important to enlist the help of a lawyer, as they can help you defend yourself against the at-fault party and their insurance company, ensuring you get the money you deserve when you need it most.
How Does A Lawyer Help After Getting Into A Car Accident?
Sometimes, insurance companies do not pay out the amount of compensation you deserve. Our law firm can hold those insurance companies accountable to make sure you are treated fairly and with respect. Without our help, it can be difficult to stand up to these big insurance companies, who have a firm financial bottom line they’ll do anything to meet.
Negotiating a fair settlement for a car accident can be hard. Insurance companies often give victims lowball offers after car accidents. However, our team of auto accident lawyers can hold those insurance companies accountable and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
Never Assume Liability For An Accident You Didn’t Cause
At the scene of an accident, things can get overwhelming. The other driver may be upset, or even angry, and you may feel pressured to apologize for the accident or accept blame for what happened. Never feel pressured to assume liability at the scene of the accident. Sometimes, innocent people are nervous at the scene of the accident, and slip up and take the responsibility. If this happens, it’s fairly easy for the opposing party to assert before a judge that the accident isn’t their fault.
Always call a police officer after getting into a car accident but, remember, you have the right to remain silent and do not need to divulge information about the cause of the accident. It’s much better to keep quiet – if you admit fault, you could be on the hook to pay for not just your damages, but the damages of the other car involved.
Schedule A Free Car Accident Consultation WIth The Law Office Of Glenn C. McGovern Today
If you’ve gotten into a car accident in Louisiana, you may be wondering if you still have to pay your deductible if the car accident wasn’t your fault. If you and your lawyer can prove the accident wasn’t your fault, you don’t have to pay for any damages. But building a strong case is crucial, and the sooner you call a lawyer, the sooner you can start recovering after your accident.
At The Law Office of Glenn C. McGovern, we offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation to any Louisiana resident who has suffered a car accident. With our help, you can fight back against insurance companies and ensure you get the most money you can after your accident.