When you are injured in a car accident, you may not consider calling a New Orleans car accident attorney. However, Louisiana has strict deadlines for filing lawsuits related to car accidents. In addition, key evidence could be lost or destroyed that could help prove your case. To protect your legal rights under Louisiana’s personal injury laws, it is important that you discuss your case with a NOLA car accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash.
Our car accident attorneys of The Olinde Firm provide a free consultation so that you can get the answers to your questions about filing a car accident claim.
Call now for your free case review while there is still time to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver who caused your car accident.
The Insurance Company Is Already Building a Case
The insurance provider for the other driver does not wait to begin building a case to avoid responsibility. The company has a team of professionals, including adjusters, investigators, and attorneys, who begin investigating the cause of the crash while the evidence is still available. The adjuster or investigator may speak to the police officer, visit the accident scene, inspect the damage to the vehicles, and interview witnesses. They may even contact you to request a statement before you have the chance to speak with an attorney.
Having a lawyer on your side from the beginning can help you avoid mistakes that could harm your claim, such as signing a medical authorization or providing a statement. In some cases, the insurance company may offer a quick settlement before you speak with an attorney. This tactic is another attempt to reduce the amount of money the company must pay to settle your claim.
We urge you to take advantage of a free case review with one of our New Orleans car accident attorneys before accepting any settlement, making a statement, or signing any documents for the insurance company. It is our goal to put you in the best position to recover full compensation for all your damages.
Your Health and Recovery Come First But Be Mindful of Your Legal Deadlines
After a car accident, you need to take care of your health. Depending on the type and severity of your injuries, you could undergo surgery, extensive therapy, and a long recovery. It could take months for you to recover and return to work if you recover fully. In addition to the physical pain and suffering, you also sustain financial losses, emotional distress, and mental anguish. You might be entitled to significant compensation for your damages if you prove the other driver was responsible for causing the car accident.
However, Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations restricts the time to file a lawsuit for a car accident to one year from the date of the crash. While there may be one or two extremely limited exceptions to this rule, you should not assume you have longer than one year to file your lawsuit. In cases involving a government office, employee, or agency, the time to file your claim could be as short as a few weeks after the accident.
Therefore, we strongly urge you to contact an attorney as quickly as possible to protect your right to receive compensation for an injury claim.
Learn More About Filing Injury Claims from a New Orleans Car Accident Attorney
Contact Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm by calling (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to schedule a free consultation with a New Orleans accident attorney.