Have you been injured in a car accident? Has a family member been hurt by a distracted driver? When you are injured in a car accident, your entire life can change. Depending on the severity and type of injury, you may be left to deal with permanent disabilities that prevent you from returning to your normal daily activities. In some cases, accident victims are unable to return to work or to care for themselves and their families. When this happens, a car accident lawsuit can provide the compensation you need to help you adjust to your new situation.
Damages in a Car Accident Lawsuit
No amount of money will take away the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by a reckless or careless driver. However, the law can only offer a monetary award as compensation for your injuries. A financial award can help compensate you for the medical bills, lost wages, and other damages you suffered because of a car accident.
In many cases, your attorney can settle a car accident claim with the insurance company for the at-fault driver without the necessity of filing a car accident lawsuit. However, the insurance company will try to avoid paying a large settlement claim and will do everything it can to lower the amount of compensation it must pay to you for your damages. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair and just settlement, your personal injury attorney may suggest filing a car accident lawsuit.
Time Limits for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Louisiana
You must act quickly if you need to file a car accident lawsuit in Louisiana. Louisiana has time limits for filing personal injury cases. Under Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations, you only have one year from the date of the motor vehicle accident to file a car accident lawsuit. If you do not file your lawsuit before the deadline expires, you lose the right to pursue a legal action to collect compensation for your injuries, losses, and damages.
Of course, there are some exceptions to the general one-year rule to file a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana. For example, if the accident victim is a minor (under 18 years of age) or incompetent, the deadline may be extended. Other exceptions may apply depending on the facts and circumstances of your case. However, you should act as quickly as possible after a motor vehicle accident to contact a NoLA car accident attorney to protect your right to pursue a legal claim against the other driver.
Our NoLA Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
The NoLA personal injury attorneys of The Olinde Firm can help you recover the compensation you deserve for your motor vehicle accident. If the insurance company is not treating you fairly, we are fully prepared to file a car accident lawsuit to hold the driver and the insurance company accountable.
Contact our office at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to schedule a free legal consultation. You are under no obligation when you come into our office. In most cases, you pay nothing up front and you pay no attorney fees until we recover compensation on your behalf.