Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer

Lafayette Car Accident Attorney

It could happen when you are at a red light, yielding to oncoming traffic, or just traveling to your destination. No matter the situation, car accidents always occur when you least expect them. Without the help of an experienced Lafayette car accident lawyer, you could be left struggling to pay your overdue bills.

At Sanchez Burke, LLC, we’ve made it our mission to fight for the rights of accident victims right here in Lafayette. If you’ve been in an accident and don’t know what to do, our team can provide guidance and make sure you get the personal injury compensation you need.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Lafayette

It’s natural to go into shock after a car accident, but the first thing you need to do is calm down. Then, follow these steps to protect yourself and your right to file a claim.

1. Check for Injuries: Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved in the accident for injuries. If someone needs medical attention, call 911.
2. Move to Safety: Whether the accident is major or minor, if you can move, get yourself to the safety of the hard shoulder, embankment, or sidewalk.
3. Call the Police: With the police on scene, an official police report is sure to follow. This can be very important when making an insurance claim or taking legal action.
4. Document the Scene: Take photos of the vehicles, the scene, any damage, and any injuries. Make sure to get the names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance details of the other driver(s). Also, don’t forget to get the contact information of any witnesses, as their testimony could be useful later.
5. Do Not Admit Fault: Even if you think you might be at fault, don’t admit it. You only know your side of the story, so don’t say anything that could be used against you later.
6. Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine right now, you still need to see a doctor. Injuries like whiplash might not display symptoms right away, so getting a medical evaluation can document all your injuries.

After you’ve taken care of the immediate details, your next call should be to a Lafayette car accident lawyer at Sanchez Burke, LLC. We can review your case and advise you on what your next steps should be.

Why You Need a Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer

Now that you’ve taken the first steps to sort out your accident, it’s time to think about what comes next. For that, you’ll need an experienced team of car accident lawyers in Lafayette by your side. At Sanchez Burke, LLC, we can:

Investigate the Accident

We can look into what happened by gathering police reports, interviewing witnesses, or even hiring reconstructionists to recreate the crash. Through our investigation, we can learn all the information we need to advance your interests.

Handle the Insurance Company

Insurance companies aren’t usually willing to pay you what you need and deserve—their only goal is to protect their profit margins. At Sanchez Burke, LLC, we can negotiate with the insurance companies so you don’t have to. You can trust our team to make sure your claim is treated fairly.

Determine Fault and Liability

Louisiana’s laws can become very complicated when assigning blame, but our team has deep knowledge of both parish and state law. Using what we learned in our investigation, we can determine which party was responsible.

Fight for Your Compensation

You should be fully compensated for all your medical bills, lost wages, and trauma. We can fight to make sure your settlement covers all your losses, from immediate medical expenses to long-term damages (like chronic pain or disability).

At Sanchez Burke, LLC, we can aggressively go after everything you’re owed, making sure you have what you need to recover and get on with your life.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Lafayette

Lafayette’s roads are full of potential hazards, but some of the most common causes of car accidents are:

1. Distracted Driving: Distractions are everywhere, and drivers not paying attention is a central factor in many accidents.
2. Speeding: When drivers go too fast on the road, they put themselves and everyone around them at risk.
3. DWI/DUI: When drivers get behind the wheel after indulging in their chosen vice, the results are often disastrous.
4. Reckless Driving: When drivers speed, tailgate, and/or weave in and out of lanes, they create serious risks for everyone around them.
5. Bad Weather: Rain and fog can make roads slick and cause bad visibility. Making adjustments to driving speed in bad weather is a must, but not everyone remembers that.
6. Driver Fatigue: A tired driver is an unsafe driver. Fatigue can make someone as dangerous as a drunk driver, slowing their reaction times and impairing their judgment.
7. Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, construction zones, and bad road design are all dangers that can contribute to an accident.

Whether it’s distracted driving, bad weather, or someone speeding through a red light, car accidents can happen for a myriad of different reasons. Fortunately, with the right help, you don’t have to face what comes next alone.

If you’ve been involved in an accident, Sanchez Burke, LLC, can fight for you. We can make sure you get the compensation you deserve—no matter what caused the crash.

Proving Negligence in a Car Accident Case

In any car accident case, proving negligence is important if you want to get compensated. That means we have to show that someone else’s careless actions caused the crash, and we can do so by proving that the other driver:

1. Had a Duty of Care: This means that the other driver took on a responsibility when they got behind the wheel of the car, which was to drive safely and follow the rules of the road.
2. Neglected That Duty: After the duty is established, next comes showing that they didn’t follow through on it. They may have thought they could beat a red light, didn’t notice a stop sign, or made some other reckless decision that caused the accident.
3. Caused the Accident: Their bad decision directly caused the crash. For example, if they drove through a red light and slammed into your car, that can prove causation.
4. Caused You to Suffer Damages: The final step is proving that you suffered damages because the other driver had a duty, failed in that duty, and caused the crash. Whatever your damages are, we have to show how they came from the crash.

Our job is to gather all the evidence to prove the other driver was negligent, and that means collecting police reports, witness statements, and video footage. The more proof we have, the better our argument can be.

Comparative Fault in Louisiana

In some cases, all parties involved in an accident may share some blame for the incident. For example, suppose the other driver rear-ended you. You were both stopped at a red light that turned green, but you didn’t notice that the light had changed. Nevertheless, the driver behind you accelerated, expecting you to move. In this situation, you both may share some level of fault for the resulting accident.

Fortunately, you can still get compensated. In Louisiana, we follow a comparative fault system, which means that both parties can be assigned a percentage of fault, depending on the circumstances. If that happens, you get a share of any compensation that would normally be awarded to you, and that share depends on what your percentage of fault is.

For example, if you’re found 20% at fault in the accident, the amount of compensation you are given could be reduced by 20%. However, if the court decides you were more than 50% at fault, then it’s likely you won’t get anything.

This is why it’s important to have the team at Sanchez Burke, LLC, on your side. We can gather the evidence, argue your case, and try to reduce the amount of blame you take on.

Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Louisiana

We understand that the aftermath of a car crash can be hectic—especially if you’re dealing with medical treatment—but you have a limited amount of time to file a claim. In Louisiana, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is either one or two years, depending on the date of the accident.

It might sound like plenty of time, but you’re likely also dealing with medical bills, insurance problems, and the monumental work needed to get back to normal. If you wait too long to file, you’ll lose your chance of getting paid.

The team at Sanchez Burke, LLC, can make sure you don’t miss this critical deadline. Let us handle all the legalities so you can focus on what’s really important—your health.

Types of Car Accidents We Handle

Car accidents occur in a variety of ways, but some of the most common types of crashes we see are:

• Rear-End Collisions: These occur when one car crashes into the back of another. They’re often caused by distracted drivers or those who follow too closely.
• Side-Impact (T-Bone) Accidents: These take place when one car crashes into the side of another, usually at an intersection. Side-impact accidents can be very serious, especially if the car is hit on the driver’s side.
• Head-On Collisions: Arguably the most dangerous kind of crash, these happen when two cars collide while heading toward each other.
• Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents occur when a car flips over, often because it’s hit by another vehicle at high speed or loses control. SUVs and trucks are especially prone to these because of their higher center of gravity.
• Single-Vehicle Accidents: Not all accidents involve other cars. Sometimes, a driver loses control and crashes into an object, like a tree or a guardrail, especially when trying to avoid a hazard.
• Hit-and-Run Accidents: In a hit-and-run, the at-fault driver leaves the scene. This is especially frustrating, but we can track them down for you.

No matter what kind of car accident you’ve been involved in, Sanchez Burke, LLC, can work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.

Every case is unique, but our goal remains the same: to make sure you’re taken care of throughout your case. If you’ve been in an accident, don’t hesitate to reach out—we can handle the legal side, so you can focus on recovery.

FAQs About Lafayette, LA Car Accident Laws

Can I Still File a Claim If the Other Driver’s Insurance Won’t Cooperate?

Yes, you can. If the other driver’s insurance is delaying their decision or refusing to cooperate during negotiations, we can fight on your behalf. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of sending the right paperwork or speaking to the right people. However, if necessary, we can take the case to court. Don’t let insurance companies push you around—get Sanchez Burke, LLC, to represent your interests.

What If I Was in an Accident While Driving a Rental Car?

Rental car accidents aren’t any different from regular accidents when making a claim. Your personal insurance might step in, or the rental company’s insurance might cover the costs. Either way, we can work out the details and make sure you don’t get left with a large bill. Just be sure to check what kind of coverage you have before driving.

How Do I Know If My Car Accident Injury Is Serious Enough to Claim?

If you’re in doubt, it’s better to check with medical professionals and a skilled attorney. Even “minor” injuries can have long-term effects, like whiplash or soft tissue damage. Some injuries don’t show up right away, so getting checked out after the accident is very important. If you’ve got pain, discomfort, or even just a nagging concern, we can assess your case.

Can I Still Get Compensation If I Didn’t Call the Police After the Crash?

Generally, you are required to report most accidents to the police and your insurance. Failure to do so can lead to loss of coverage from your insurer and legal penalties. You will also likely lose your right to file a claim. If the incident is minor, you are not required to report it, but it is still advised.

Reach Out to Sanchez Burke, LLC

Dealing with a car accident can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. The team at Sanchez Burke, LLC, can negotiate a proper settlement or obtain a case award at trial. We know how to recover your losses from these incidents.

Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.