A four-vehicle accident on I-10 near LaPlace resulted in the death of a 28-year old Reserve man. Four other people were injured in the multi-vehicle accident on May 9. Felton Lewis died after he rear-ended another vehicle that had stopped on the highway due to another vehicle accident ahead of the vehicle. The collision began a chain reaction involving two other vehicles. Mr. Lewis was transported to the hospital where he later passed away.
Proving Fault in Motor Vehicle Accidents
In order to receive compensation for injuries and damages resulting from a car accident, you must prove that the other driver was at fault for the collision. Evidence we use to establish fault includes but is not limited to:
- Physical evidence (i.e. the vehicles involved and evidence from the crash site)
- Eyewitness testimony
- Information in the police report (even though the police report is not admissible as evidence it does provide information we use during our investigation)
- Expert testimony
- Accident reconstructionists
In some vehicle accidents, it is clear who is at fault; however, proving fault is not always easy. For example, a rear-end collision is typically the fault of the driver who was driving the vehicle that collided with the vehicle in front of it but there can be exceptions. If the driver in the front vehicle was texting while driving, a jury might find that both drivers contributed to the car accident. An experienced New Orleans car accident attorney understands the importance of proving fault and how to satisfy the elements required by Louisiana personal injury laws to prove fault.
Multi-Vehicle Accidents Are Complicated
In a multi-vehicle accident, proving fault can be even more complicated because you have several drivers involved in a single accident. Insurance companies for all drivers in a multi-vehicle accident will fight to deny liability because the damages can be substantial. For example, the accident above could have a wrongful death action in addition to three personal injury claims.
Depending on the severity of the injuries, the damages for a multi-vehicle accident could quickly reach the hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is in the best interest of each insurance company to try to avoid being on the hook for all damages. When our skilled and experienced personal injury attorneys from The Olinde Firm take a multi-vehicle car accident case, we look at all of the evidence and the insurance coverage available to determine the best way to obtain the maximum compensation for our clients.
Do You Need a New Orleans Car Accident Attorney?
If you have been injured in a car accident, you need an experienced NoLA car accident attorney to protect your right to receive compensation for your injuries. The insurance company for the at-fault driver should compensate you for your medical bills, lost income, property damage, physical pain, and emotional suffering.
Contact The Olinde Firm 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 to get answers to your car accident claim questions. Put our experience to work for you and make an informed decision about your entitlement to compensation for your injuries.