Auto Injury Lawyer in New Orleans
If you've been injured in a car accident contact a New Orleans auto injury lawyer immediately to ensure your rights are protected. For more than 25 years, The Law Offices of Michael J Bourquard have successfully represented a wide range of clients who have been injured as a result of a car, truck or motorcycle accident.
No Advance Fee Required
An auto accident can leave you facing mounting medical costs and added financial struggle due to lost wages if you've been unable to return to work as a result of an injury. Our auto injury lawyers take the time to discuss the specifics of your case and work quickly to secure the financial compensation you deserve. With no upfront payment required, the Law Offices of Michael J Bourquard, LLC don't get paid until you do.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you have been involved in a car, truck or motorcycle accident, contact our auto injury lawyers for information regarding:
- • Your legal rights following a car accident in New Orleans
- • Details of the financial compensation you are entitled to
- • How to file your auto injury claim
- • What to expect from a New Orleans auto injury lawyer
Call a Lawyer First
An insurance company does not necessarily have your best interests in mind and will typically seek to make a quick financial settlement as soon as possible. It is vitally important to speak with a lawyer before agreeing to anything in order to verify whether the compensation offered is sufficient according to New Orleans law. Our experienced attorneys are available to handle insurers on your behalf and negotiate fair settlements privately, or in a court of law.
Legal Specialists in Auto Injury Claims
If you are the victim of someone else's negligence on the road, our lawyers will fight aggressively in court to ensure that the other driver is held liable and that you are compensated for your losses. The law office of Michael J Bourquard carefully examines each aspect of your personal injury claim and supports your case with access to the expertise and testimony of a range of medical professionals and related legal experts. With a wealth of delivering real and lasting results for all our clients in New Orleans, you can rest assured that with us on your side, your chances of victory will certainly be enhanced. We promise to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice or compensation for you, a family member or a loved one. Don’t take chances with inferior legal teams when the law office with a track record of expertise in auto-related injuries in New Orleans is here at your disposal.
Auto Injury Claim FAQ
How long do I have to file an auto injury lawsuit in New Orleans?
The statute of limitations in Louisiana requires you to file any personal injury lawsuit no later than one year after the date of the accident
Should I speak to a lawyer before negotiating with the other driver's insurance company?
It is wise to speak to a lawyer before discussing anything with any insurance company including your own. Ideally your lawyer should be present before you provide a statement to either insurer. Studies consistently reveal that individuals who enlist the services of an experienced auto injury attorney receive more than double the amount of compensation than those who negotiate on their own behalf. Contact our law office for more information.
Do police charges affect your insurance company’s decision?
In general, the answer to this question is yes, however, not as you might think. While, the majority of parties found guilty by the police for causing an accident will also face a similar appraisal from their insurance company, this is not a hard and fast rule. For instance, at the Law Offices of Michael Bourquard, we have had clients who have been charged with an offence by Louisiana police but have not necessarily been at fault for insurance purposes. Similarly, just because the police do not file charges does not mean that you are automatically absolved of all wrong-doing by your insurance company.
When might such a clash between the findings from the police and your insurance company take place?
An example of this might be in the case of an unintentional accident caused by bad driving conditions. For instance, if a driver was unable to stop his or her vehicle on an icy road and ended up rear-ending another driver, then the police would be correct in deeming this incident an accident and not pressing charges. However, from the insurance company’s perspective, the same logic might not apply. In this case, the insurance company could apply the Fault Determination Rules and determine that the vehicle who rear-ended the other as being at fault.
Is it possible that fault can be shared in an auto accident?
Yes, while rare, it is possible that two drivers could be at fault for an auto accident. Like many accidents in life, the circumstances of a particular incident may indicate that both drivers were partially at fault for insurance purposes.
Can you explain how an at-fault accident could affect me?
There is no doubt about it, determining fault and liability in an auto accident setting can often be extremely difficult. However, if you think of it like this then it might be easier to understand. In essence, a driver can be anywhere from zero to 100% at fault for an accident depending on his or her involvement in the incident. Any driver who is deemed to be more than 0% at fault will have an at-fault accident on his or her record. Crucially, if a driver is found to be more than 25% at fault for an accident, then it is likely that their premium will increase. However, it is always advisable to speak to your insurance company, agent or broker to verify any changes to your insurance premium.
Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Auto Injury Claim
Car crashes are the leading cause of personal injury and preventable death in the United States. While most accidents are luckily a minor inconvenience, they can just as easily be the catalyst for a major injury that can cause serious financial hardship if the claim isn’t handled properly.
One of the biggest mistakes we see regularly in New Orleans is that people are under the assumption that any insurance company, either yours or the other driver’s, will take care of everything and that compensation will come swiftly. This couldn’t be further from the truth as insurance companies would quickly be out of business if they forked over cash whenever a claim was filed. Because this game of cat and mouse can be so difficult if you don’t know your rights inside and out, having an experienced auto injury lawyer in your corner can really pay off.
However, even with the help of experienced auto injury lawyers like the ones at the Law Offices of Michael J. Bourquard, LLC, there are mistakes that can be made before you even get a chance to get in touch with us that can harm your case. To make sure that your claim isn’t in jeopardy before you even have a chance to file it, take the necessary precaution and don’t make these same mistakes.
Don’t Leave the Scene
Louisiana law requires that you not leave the scene of a crash, even a minor one. A driver who leaves the scene can be subject to criminal charges.
Failing to Obtain a Police Report
A police report can end up being a vital piece of evidence during the claim process. Failing to obtain a police report that details how the accident occurred gives the responsible party an opportunity to change their story after the fact. Never let someone talk you out of calling the police. When the police arrive, DO NOT ADMIT FAULT and make sure you get the name and badge of the officer writing the report.
Failing to Take Photos
A picture is worth a thousand words. Taking photos of the area, any vehicle damage, vehicle position and any injuries will help establish your claim. Video also works. Whatever evidence you can gather at the time with your phone is worth your while.
Failing to Seek Medical Attention
It’s very common for people to walk away from a car accident thinking that they are physically fine only for the adrenaline to wear off and the pain comes rushing in. Whenever you put off going to a doctor immediately after the accident, insurance companies will try to use it against you. They’ll say that if you were able to carry on with your life for a couple of weeks then there must be something fishy about the situation and that there must have been something else that occurred between the accident and your doctor’s visit.
Giving Statements to Insurance Companies Without Legal Advice
Immediately after the accident, don’t be surprised if both insurance companies reach out to you and request that you give a statement. No matter how sympathetic they sound, they are not your friend, they are protecting themselves. Consult with our auto injury lawyers before you speak to them or sign anything they give you.