Lafayette Fatal Accident Lawyer

Experienced Fatal Accident Attorney in Lafayette

Dealing with the unexpected loss of a loved one in a sudden collision or catastrophic incident can leave families emotionally scarred, financially vulnerable, and with many legal questions. A Lafayette fatal accident lawyer can help surviving family members understand their rights under Louisiana law and file a claim for compensation after a preventable death.

About Blake Jones Law Firm

At Blake Jones Law Firm, our lawyers advocate for injured Gulf Coast workers and families across Louisiana and the Gulf region. Our firm has worked on serious injury and wrongful death cases stemming from maritime accidents, commercial trucking collisions, industrial accidents, and mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure.

With decades of collective experience and millions recovered in verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients, we stay dedicated to assisting families in seeking accountability after catastrophic losses.

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Local Considerations

Surviving family members in Lafayette may come across fatal accident claims from incidents involving Interstate 10, Highway 90 trucking accidents, offshore injuries, refinery injuries, or fatal workplace accidents related to the area’s energy sector and transportation industries.

Many of these claims are filed throughout the Lafayette Parish court system and heard at the Lafayette Parish Courthouse at 800 South Buchanan Street, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501. Knowing how a claim proceeds and where it can help you better prepare for what comes next.

Understanding Fatal Accidents in Louisiana

Surviving family members can seek financial compensation under Louisiana law when a person dies because of someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions. These types of legal claims are commonly known as wrongful death claims or fatal accident claims. Spouses, children, parents, and occasionally siblings or grandparents can file a fatal accident claim.

Surviving relatives may recover compensation for their losses related to the fatal accident. These damages could include financial support the deceased person would have provided, funeral expenses, medical bills leading up to death, and pain and suffering. Successful legal claims typically have to prove that another party failed to use reasonable care.

Types of Accidents That Result in Fatal Injuries

Accidents that lead to fatalities happen in numerous ways throughout Lafayette and other Acadiana communities. While some accidents are unavoidable, negligent conduct, unsafe work conditions, and violations of state and federal safety regulations can contribute to fatal injury accidents.

Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of fatal injury claims across Louisiana. Highways like Interstate 49 and Johnston Street experience heavy traffic and a lot of commercial trucking. Distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence, and driving while tired are just a few ways motorists cause deadly accidents.

Fatal injuries also occur in workplace accidents across Louisiana. From oilfield accidents to offshore injuries to refinery work to industrial accidents, employees and contractors are put at risk when working in hazardous conditions. Worker fatalities can result from explosions, falls, equipment accidents, and exposure to toxins. Additional common injury accident sites include:

• Dangerous or defective products or machinery
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Maritime incidents and offshore injuries
• Construction accidents
• Nursing home neglect
• Toxic exposure
• Asbestos-related illness

According to the CDC, in the United States, there were 197,449 unintentional injury deaths. There were 48,308 unintentional fall deaths, 41,241 traffic deaths, and 75,761 accidental poisonings. Investigating exactly what happened in a fatal accident and who is legally responsible is often necessary.

Hire a Fatal Accident Lawyer

After losing a loved one in an accident that may have been prevented, families often have the question of whether they need to hire a fatal accident lawyer. While each situation differs, fatal accident claims can involve complex liability questions, insurance issues, and significant financial damages that need to be investigated.

Determining who can bring a wrongful death claim under Louisiana law can become challenging if there are blended families or multiple surviving family members. There could be a dispute on who is considered the successor or who should receive damages.

If your fatal accident claim involves maritime work or an offshore injury, then there could be an entirely different set of fatal accident laws that apply. Federal maritime laws and regulations, Jones Act protections for maritime employees, and vessel owner responsibilities could all play a factor. A Lafayette Fatal Accident Attorney at Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC can help you in this legal process to receive the compensation you and your family deserve.

FAQs

What Is the Three-Collision Rule?

The three-collision rule describes the three impacts that take place during a motor vehicle collision. The first collision is a vehicle hitting another object. The second collision is the occupants’ bodies hitting something inside the vehicle, such as the steering wheel or dashboard. The third collision occurs internally when organs and tissues collide with bones or other organs.

What Happens if You Are Involved in a Fatal Car Accident?

Determining fault after a fatal car accident typically involves an investigation by police, your insurance company, and possibly an accident reconstruction professional. Police often interview witnesses and anyone involved in the accident.

They analyze any video surveillance or damage to vehicles to identify what happened. Civil litigation or criminal charges can arise depending on the situation. If someone has lost a loved one in an accident, they may have a wrongful death or fatal accident claim in Louisiana.

How Much Compensation Is Due in a Fatal Case of an Accident?

Many factors go into determining a fatal accident case payout amount. Some factors that affect the cost include medical bills, funeral expenses, loss of income, emotional pain and suffering, and details about how the crash occurred. There is no specific settlement amount for each case in Louisiana. Instead, payments are determined by monetary losses to surviving loved ones and levels of negligence.

What Evidence Is Important in a Fatal Accident Case?

Some examples of evidence that may be relevant in a fatal accident case are police reports, medical records, witness statements, video surveillance, black box records, photographs, and official testimonies from professionals.

Maintenance records and logs may also be types of evidence that are useful in trucking or workplace accident claims. For this reason, it is often critical to preserve evidence quickly, as records can be deleted and video and physical evidence can be destroyed.

Contact Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC Today

If your loved one passed away in an accident due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC can help. Contact us today to request a free consultation.