Car accidents happen every single day throughout the United States. Individuals living and working in cities like Shreveport, Louisiana, are at higher risk of experiencing collisions, especially during peak traffic.
If you suffered injuries in a car accident in Shreveport and need help obtaining the compensation you deserve, never wait to consult with a local car accident attorney. The legal team at Stewart J. Guss Shreveport car accident lawyers has the knowledge and experience to get you the most favorable outcome for your case possible.
We are a national law firm based with multiple offices around the country. We also work with affiliate law firms in most states that share our focus and dedication to excellence. No matter where you are located, we may be able to help you, so call or contact us now. We are open, for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 866-980-3955, or you may contact us now by clicking here to submit your case for review.
Car Crashes in Shreveport
As one of the largest cities in Louisiana, Shreveport sees its fair share of car crashes. Nearly 200,000 people live in the city, with an average of two cars per household. This means there are hundreds of thousands of vehicles driving through the area daily, any of which might cause a crash. In addition, about 8.5 million people visit Shreveport each year, and these drivers do not know their way around, increasing accident risks.
While collisions can happen anywhere, some dangerous roads that run through Shreveport include:
- Highway 171
- I-49
- Highway 1
- I-20
Car Accidents Can Change Your Life
Collisions can vary in severity, but the most serious accidents can change your life for the worse. Car crash injuries can be some of the worst among all injury-producing accidents. Not only do these injuries take a toll on your physical health, but they can also negatively affect your mental health. Furthermore, these injuries can cause long-term consequences and impede your ability to lead a normal life as you once did.
You’ll likely also face mounting medical bills when you suffer extensive injuries. These accident-related bills and expenses can quickly put you in a financial bind. Therefore, after sustaining car accident injuries, it’s best to discuss your case with a qualified car accident attorney for assistance in pursuing compensation.
While money cannot solve all your problems, it can help put you in a better financial situation, relieving some of the undue stress and allowing you to focus on what matters most: your recovery.
Hiring a Shreveport Car Accident Lawyer You Can Trust
The process of hiring a car accident attorney can seem daunting and overwhelming. You may not know where to begin with so many lawyers to choose from. When you don’t know where to turn, Stewart J. Guss Personal Injury Lawyers is here to provide support and end your search.
Our legal team has decades of experience helping injured clients get the resolution they deserve after suffering injuries in a vehicle collision. We approach every case with the client’s needs in mind, tailoring our legal strategy to every case we encounter.
With all the frustration and stress you’re already facing, choosing a reliable car accident lawyer shouldn’t have to add to it. The client intake team at Stewart J. Guss Shreveport Personal Injury Lawyers is available all day, every day, when you need us most. Contact us to schedule your complimentary consultation by contacting our office directly.
Common Causes of Vehicle Collisions
Car accidents happen for many reasons; however, driver negligence is one of the primary reasons for collisions.
Among the causes of car accidents, the following are most prevalent:
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Driving while impaired
- Failure to yield
When you’re involved in a car accident, discuss your situation with a qualified car accident attorney. Determining the cause of your collision is critical, and a lawyer can help find documentation and evidence to do so.
Injuries Often Resulting From Car Crashes
Regardless of the cause of your car accident, one thing is sure: car accident injuries can be detrimental.
Some of the common injuries accident victims are at risk of sustaining include:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal injuries
After a car accident, seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t feel pain or see noticeable injuries. It’s common not to feel anything immediately after an accident, as this is how the body often deals with traumatic events.
When a stressful event occurs, the body releases adrenaline. This hormone initiates the “fight or flight” response in the body. Among the many things this hormone does, it blocks pain signals, which can make you believe you didn’t suffer any injuries in your collision.
Whether you visit an emergency room, urgent care, or your primary care physician, it’s critical to submit to a physical examination. A physical exam and medical testing can provide crucial answers regarding your physical health. Understanding your injuries can help you get the medical treatment you need much quicker and begin the healing process.
Potential Long-Term Effects of Car Accident Injuries
Depending on your injuries, you may suffer long-term effects on your health and well-being.
Some of the lasting effects you may suffer from collision injuries include:
- Chronic pain
- Persistent headaches
- Disfigurement
- Paralysis
- Loss of limb
- Ringing in the ears
- Vision problems
Along with your physical health, car accident injuries can affect your mental health. Victims of car crashes often suffer from depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
If your accident injuries hurt your health, your car accident attorney can help you obtain the monetary recovery you deserve.
Pursuing Compensation After a Collision
You can take two primary avenues when seeking justice and compensation after a car accident: a car insurance claim. Details regarding both follow.
Car Insurance Claim
If you’re involved in a collision with another driver with car insurance, you can pursue compensation under their car insurance.
Drivers in Louisiana are required to have car insurance under the law. Louisiana is a fault state, meaning when a car accident occurs, you must determine who was to blame for the crash. This is opposite to no-fault states, where you must file an insurance claim under your own insurance without proving fault.
Filing a car insurance claim under the other driver’s insurance is called a third-party insurance claim. When you file your claim, the other driver’s insurer can investigate whether to approve or deny your claim.
If the insurance company approves your claim and agrees to pay you what your claim is worth, you can accept the settlement, and your claim concludes. However, if the insurance company denies your claim or refuses to settle for what your case is worth, you may have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
You may sometimes need to proceed with a personal injury lawsuit after trying your luck with the insurance company. The insurance company may give you a hard time about paying you what your claim is worth, and they might provide a settlement offer that’s much less than your claim is worth.
Always understand you have options and don’t have to settle for less. A car accident attorney can handle lawsuits with insurance companies.
In other cases, you may begin by filing a lawsuit. For example, if the at-fault driver did not have any insurance, the only way to receive monetary recovery may be by filing a lawsuit.
Personal injury lawsuits can be confusing and difficult to handle on your own. There are many steps to take and timelines to follow. Fortunately, car accident lawyers are available to provide guidance and representation.
Liability for Car Accidents
Proving liability is one of the trickiest – but necessary – parts of car accident claims. Without establishing liability, collecting the compensation you deserve is nearly impossible.
While car accident cases can rest on intentional actions, they are usually based on a theory of negligence. When a person is negligent, they fail to act in a manner another, similarly situated person should act. In other words, they failed to act reasonably, given the circumstances.
Liability under a theory of negligence requires proving:
- The driver owed you a duty of care: The driver needed to act with care and drive responsibly to avoid accidents and keep others safe.
- The driver breached their duty of care: The driver’s actions put others on the road, including you, at risk.
- The breach was the cause of your accident: The driver’s actions were the actual and proximate cause of your collision.
- You suffered damages: Your accident resulted in injuries and other losses.
It can be difficult to successfully establish the other driver’s liability. Proving liability requires strong evidence and documentation, which can be tough to obtain. A car accident attorney has the right skills and tools to show the other driver’s liability on the road to just compensation.
Damages Available for Car Wrecks in Louisiana
Damages compensate you for the injuries and losses, both monetary and non-monetary, stemming directly from your accident. The type and the total amount of damages you’re eligible to receive depends on the specifics of your accident. Damages can either be economic or non-economic.
Economic damages represent your monetary losses. These damages are typically easier to prove.
They can include:
- Medical expenses for past and future needs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Property damage
Non-economic damages represent your non-monetary damages. Because these damages are intangible, they require more evidence to prove.
They can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Scarring
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
If the defendant’s actions go beyond negligence and are instead malicious, reckless, or intentional, your case may qualify for punitive damages. Punitive damages punish the defendant for their egregious behavior and deter future individuals from acting in the same or similar manner.
Calculating the value of your case is critical to ensure you’re obtaining the fairest possible compensation. A car accident attorney has the experience to determine how much your case is truly worth.
Factors Determining the Value of Your Case
Several factors play a role in determining how much compensation you can pursue.
Your attorney can answer the following question to assign a monetary value to your claim:
- What types of injuries did you sustain? How serious were your injuries?
- Will you require medical treatment in the future?
- Will your injuries interfere with your ability to work?
- Did you have to take time off work to recover from your injuries? If so, what is the total of your lost wages?
- Can you return to work after you heal from your injuries?
- What other monetary and non-monetary losses did you sustain after your accident?
The answer to these questions and other details can help your car accident lawyer better understand the extent of your losses and help you pursue the most favorable result.
How a Shreveport Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Simply put, a car accident attorney can provide several advantages to your case and potential for future compensation.
Without an attorney, you’ll likely encounter several avoidable hindrances on your path to recovery.
When you have our car accident attorneys on your side, you can rely on us to:
- Investigate your accident
- Figure out the cause of your collision
- Obtain evidence and information
- Calculate the value of your case
- Communicate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Negotiate a proper settlement
- Represent you at trial, if necessary
While you can proceed with your accident claim alone, there’s no reason to when you have the support and guidance of an attorney available to you. With a car accident lawyer, you can expect a better resolution than you’d achieve handling your claim solo.
After a Vehicle Collision, Consult Our Skilled Shreveport Car Accident Attorneys
When you suffer car accident injuries, the attorneys at Stewart J. Guss Personal Injury Lawyers want to help you. There’s no excuse not to hire a lawyer, as we work on contingency. If your case doesn’t win, you’re not responsible for paying anything out of pocket.
The legal team of Stewart J. Guss Personal Injury Lawyers is nationally recognized for protecting the rights of injured victims for more than 20 years. If a Shreveport car accident injured you, call our office right now for a free consultation! Because we take all of our car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a dime unless we win your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so call us today at 866-980-3955 or contact us now by clicking here.
Fair compensation awaits you. We’ll help you get it.