The steps you take after a New Orleans car accident significantly impact the outcome of your car accident claim. Numerous factors, some within your control, can determine whether you recover full compensation for all damages and injuries. Our New Orleans car accident lawyers guide you through the process of filing a car accident claim. We want to help you recover fair compensation for your injury claim.
Seven Factors That Affect The Value of Your Accident Claim
1. Your Actions Immediately After the Crash
Never admit fault. Avoid saying you are sorry. Try not to say anything that could be construed as taking the blame for the accident.
If you are partially to blame for the cause of the crash, the value of your injury claim decreases. The insurance company will use anything you say to try to blame you for the accident so that it can avoid paying your injury claim.
2. Your Actions in the Weeks and Months After the Accident
The things that you do in the weeks and months after the accident also impact your claim. For example, failing to seek immediate medical care could give the insurance company a reason to argue that the crash did not cause your injuries. Failing to follow your doctor’s treatment plan could also be a reason to deny or undervalue your claim.
Your lifestyle choices can also impact your claim. If you post on social media about going to social gatherings or taking trips, the insurance company may use this evidence against you. In some cases, companies may hire private investigators to gather evidence that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
You need accurate, detailed medical records to prove your injuries resulted from the crash and prove the extent of your injuries. Your job is to follow your doctor’s orders and avoid any action that could hurt your claim.
3. The Severity of Your Injuries
Catastrophic injuries and traumatic injuries increase the value of a car accident claim. Medical costs and loss of income increase with the severity of injuries. It is also assumed that pain and suffering are more severe with traumatic injuries.
4. Your Financial Losses
Your financial losses may be a large portion of your accident claim. Financial losses include, but are not limited to:
- Medical bills
- Loss of income
- Therapy
- Travel expenses
- Assistance with daily activities
- Medications and medical equipment
Careful documentation of financial damages increases the value of your injury claim.
5. Evidence of Fault
Proving fault is essential for recovering damages for a car accident claim. If you do not have strong evidence proving that the other driver caused the accident, you may not receive full compensation for damages. The insurance company may allege that you contributed to the cause of the accident to reduce the value of your claim under Louisiana’s pure comparative fault laws.
6. Insurance Coverage
If the other driver has minimum Louisiana liability insurance coverage, there may not be enough money to cover your claim. You can sue the other driver, but if the driver does not have the resources to pay the claim, it could be a worthless judgment. Your New Orleans car accident attorney can help you explore other options for recovering compensation for your injury claim.
7. Hiring an Experienced New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer
Insurance companies prefer that you represent yourself. When you don’t have an attorney, you may not understand your legal rights or the full value of your insurance claim. The insurance provider isn’t going to explain these matters to you.
Hiring a NOLA car accident lawyer lets the insurance company know you are serious about the claim. The company may be willing to offer a fair settlement because it knows that you are informed about your case.
Attorney Fred Olinde and the legal team of The Olinde Firm are ready to fight for justice for you and your family after a car accident. Call (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to schedule a free consultation with one of our New Orleans auto accident attorneys.