Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyer

Lafayette Personal Injury Attorney

Personal injuries affect many different parts of a victim’s life. Their health, family, and work can be affected. Legal help can give justice to people suffering. A Lafayette personal injury lawyer can use their experience to help victims recover damages.

Strong Legal Help Without Delay

Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC is a law firm for people who want to fight back. Every detail gets examined, which helps us recover settlements like a $90 million verdict against a trucking company. We take on tough cases and don’t stop until the job is done.

New Orleans Louisiana

We take care of Your family while you can’t work

schedule a consultation

Call for A Consultation 504-525-4361

What Qualifies as a Personal Injury?

Personal injury law in Lafayette covers a wide range of accidents. The cause usually comes down to someone’s failure to act carefully. When that failure leads to harm, a legal claim may follow. Common injuries come from:

• Vehicle collisions. In 2023, there were 9 million injuries in the US related to vehicle collisions. These include cars and motorcycles. They often happen due to driver error. Other common causes include road hazards or equipment failure.
• Trucking crashes. Collisions with 18-wheelers often cause serious injuries. Fault may lie with the driver themselves. This could also apply to the trucking company and its hiring practices. The company that loaded the cargo could be at fault, too.
• Maritime injuries. These include claims by offshore workers under the Jones Act. General maritime law applies to those not covered under the Jones Act. Falls are the most common here and represent 35% of nonfatal injuries.
• Workplace injuries. Injuries while an employee is at work or performing work-related tasks are considered workplace injuries. These claims are filed through workers’ compensation. Sometimes, they involve third parties, not just employers.
• Unsafe property or products. Many people are injured from dangerous conditions on someone else’s property. This can also happen from defective equipment. These can include slip and falls and broken equipment.

Even if a case doesn’t fit neatly into one of these types, it may still qualify. A local Lafayette attorney can help sort through the details.

How the Process Works

After an injury, the first step is often medical care. That creates a record of what happened and starts the recovery process. People should also try to document the accident with photos or witness names.

Once a claim is filed, the insurance company may start an investigation. They often ask for statements or records. A lawyer can help manage those requests. They can protect the injured person from saying something that hurts the case.

Negotiations can take time. The insurance company may offer a settlement. If it’s too low, the case may move forward into litigation. That means collecting more evidence and preparing for court. Some cases settle during this phase. Others go to trial. Every step builds on the one before it. Quick action helps build a stronger case.

What Can You Do After an Injury?

Louisiana law gives injured people the right to recover money from the person or company that caused the accident. But timing is important. The state only allows two years to file most personal injury claims. The person bringing the claim must prove that the other party caused the injury. That often involves showing a duty of care. There must have been a failure to meet that duty and a link between that failure and the injury.

Louisiana follows a rule called comparative fault. If someone shares the blame, their damages may be reduced. The amount depends on how much a person is deemed to be at fault. This is usually based on a percentage. For example, a person might be considered 25% at fault or 50% at fault if they were partially to blame.

Knowing these rules helps protect a claim from mistakes. Errors while filing can lead to it getting delayed or even denied by an insurance company. A skilled attorney works to keep the case on track.

Types of Compensation Available

People who file injury claims in Lafayette can ask for money to cover what they lost. That starts with medical costs. If someone misses work, they can also claim lost income.

Pain is another component. The law allows for compensation for the physical pain and stress an accident causes. In some cases, families can recover for wrongful death or loss of companionship.

Each case is different. The value depends on how the injury affects someone’s life. An attorney can gather proof to show these effects clearly.

FAQs

How Much Do Most Personal Injury Cases Settle for?

How much most personal injury cases settle for depends on the injury. The amount of medical bills and pain often factors into the total amount. Some cases also include money for future care or permanent disability. The insurance company may offer a number that seems fair. This rarely reflects the full impact.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Claim in Lafayette?

Lots of people need a lawyer for a personal injury claim in Lafayette. Doing the process alone can be tough. Insurance companies often try to pay less than they should. A lawyer understands what evidence matters. An attorney also handles communication with insurers and defendants. That means fewer chances to say something against the injured person.

What Happens If the Insurance Company Denies My Claim?

If the insurance company denies your claim, it’s not over. A denial doesn’t end the case. This means that the next step may involve legal action. The reason for the denial is important. Sometimes, it’s about liability. Other times, the insurer says the injury isn’t related. An attorney can review the claim and respond with stronger evidence.

How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take?

How long a personal injury case takes varies. Some cases settle quickly, and others take a long time if there’s a dispute. Medical treatment can also affect the pace. Most personal injury claims don’t go to trial, but some do. Court schedules and appeals can extend the process. A good legal team can keep things moving while not rushing.

Get the Tools to Fight Back

According to the National Safety Council, there were 62 million preventable injuries in 2023. Accidents cause pain that extends beyond physical injuries. In Lafayette, personal injury law exists to help people move forward. Schedule a consultation with Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC for focused representation.