Have You Been In a Car Accident?
Nearly every American either has been or will be involved in at least one car accident in their lives.Car Accidents Cause Physical and Financial Damage
Car accident injuries not only impose immediate emergency care costs but may have long-term impacts depending on the seriousness of your injuries.Although auto insurance may help with some of these claims, it does not always supply a complete remedy. Under Louisiana law, drivers are required to carry vehicle insurance, but Louisiana’s minimum liability law requires coverage of only $15,000 per person for bodily injury or death, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury or death, and $25,000 for property damage. These limits are grossly inadequate when serious injury and property damage are involved.
In addition, even though Louisiana has a “no pay, no play” law in place (that is, the law limits what uninsured drivers can recover in an accident), and recently enacted laws place even greater penalties on uninsured drivers including fines and vehicle impoundments, there are still uninsured drivers out there. Recent estimates place Louisiana’s uninsured rate at 13%. As a result, you may end up having to seek recovery from your own insurer (if you have uninsured/underinsured coverage on your policy), or to pursue a direct suit against an uninsured driver.
Seek Damages From Negligent Drivers
Under Louisiana law, all drivers are under a duty to operate their motor vehicles with a reasonable level of care. If someone breaches that duty, and fails to act reasonably when driving and injures you, that driver may be legally responsible for financial damages, including:- Medical costs;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental anguish;
- Therapy and rehabilitation;
- Long term care;
- Loss of income and/or earning potential;
- Punitive damages (if applicable by law);
- Loss of consortium (for family members); and
- Any other available damages.
