Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyer

Lafayette Personal Injury Attorney

Personal injuries often happen suddenly and unexpectedly. The aftermath can leave you with medical bills, insurance headaches, and lost wages. If you or a loved one got hurt because someone else wasn’t paying attention or acted recklessly, you need a Lafayette personal injury lawyer.

At Sanchez Burke, LLC, our Lafayette personal injury lawyers know the law, and we can pursue compensation for all the losses that a personal injury can bring. Whether you were injured in a car accident, a slip and fall, or a workplace incident, we can guide you through the legal process and fight for every penny that you deserve.

What Is a Personal Injury Case?

Personal injury law doesn’t only involve car accidents. Rather, it addresses a wide range of situations where someone injures you due to their carelessness, recklessness, or malice. If you slipped on a wet floor at a store, got hit by a distracted driver, or got bitten by a dog, you might have a case. If you’re not sure, contact our office, as we’ve handled many of these cases in our careers.

Here are some common types of personal injury cases we take on:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. From fender benders to catastrophic crashes, we fight for victims of reckless drivers.
• Slip and falls. If a business or property owner didn’t fix a dangerous hazard, they could be liable for your injuries.
• Workplace injuries. If you were hurt on the job, workers’ compensation might not be your only option.
• Medical malpractice. Doctors and hospitals make mistakes. When they do, patients suffer the consequences.
• Product liability. If a faulty product caused you harm, we could hold the manufacturer or seller responsible.

No matter how you were hurt, if someone else’s negligence was involved, you deserve justice and financial help to pay your bills. At Sanchez Burke, LLC, we can help you figure out what your next steps should be.

How We Can Pursue Your Rightful Compensation

Nobody wants to get into a legal battle, but they’re worth it when you get the money you need to recover and move forward with your life. At Sanchez Burke, LLC, we can fight against insurance companies that lowball your settlement. We can fiercely negotiate for an amount that fully reflects your losses. If needed, we can also take the fight to court.

Compensation in a personal injury case typically covers:

• Medical expenses. These include hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
• Lost wages. If you missed work because of your injury, we can fight to get those earnings back.
• Pain and suffering. This includes physical pain, emotional distress, and a generally reduced quality of life.
• Property damage. A claim can recover repair or replacement costs for vehicles, electronics, or other damaged property.
• Punitive damages. In cases of serious negligence or misconduct, extra damages may be awarded to punish the person who is responsible.

The amount you can recover depends on the details of your case. At Sanchez Burke, LLC, we can make sure to explore every angle to maximize your compensation.

Comparative Fault in Louisiana

In Louisiana and elsewhere in the U.S., proving negligence is a key element in personal injury cases. Your attorney must show that the other person owed a duty of care, they didn’t fulfill that duty, and the accident happened because of it.

However, if you aren’t completely free of blame, Louisiana’s comparative fault system will apply. For example, if the driver T-boned you, but you were idling in the intersection after your light turned red, some of the blame falls on you.

If you’re found partially responsible for your own injuries, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you’re found 20% at fault for a car accident, any settlement or verdict you get would be reduced by 20%.

Statute of Limitations

In most Louisiana personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is one or two years from the date of the injury, depending on when it happened. If you don’t file a claim within that timeframe, you may lose the right to go after the compensation you deserve.

However, there are some exceptions, so consulting the team at Sanchez Burke, LLC, as soon as possible can clear up how long you have to take action.

The Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer in Lafayette

When you’re injured because of someone else’s carelessness, dealing with insurance companies, medical bills, and lost wages can feel like a full-time job. Fortunately, an experienced personal injury attorney at Sanchez Burke, LLC, can handle your claim and manage this process for you. That way, you can focus on your recovery. Our firm in Lafayette can do this by:

Investigating Your Case

The first thing we need to do is gather the right kind of evidence to build a strong case in your favor. This can include collecting accident reports, medical records, and witness statements. We can also review photos, videos, and any available surveillance footage to determine liability. Furthermore, our firm can consult relevant professionals, like doctors or accident reconstructionists.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are rarely willing to pay out large settlements—that’s just bad for their profit margins. They’ll try to minimize your claim, delay payments, or deny responsibility altogether. Our attorneys can:

• Communicate with them on your behalf.
• Negotiate a settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Advise you on whether a settlement offer is fair or if it’s worth taking the case to court.

Filing a Claim (If Necessary)

Most personal injury cases settle out of court. However, negotiations can sometimes fail, as the insurer or at-fault party may be unwilling to deal in good faith. When this happens, we can file a personal injury claim in court.

Our team can:

• Draft and file the legal documents.
• Represent you in pre-trial motions, depositions, and settlement discussions.
• Take your case to trial—where we can present a compelling argument before a judge or jury.

Throughout this process, our goal is to always get you the full compensation you deserve.

Providing Legal Guidance and Support

Beyond the paperwork and legal proceedings, a personal injury lawyer from Sanchez Burke, LLC, can be there to support you. We can explain your rights, answer your questions, and keep you informed about the progress of your case.

With the right legal representation, you stand a better chance of securing the compensation you need to heal and manage your losses. If you’ve been injured in Lafayette, don’t go it alone; at Sanchez Burke, LLC, we know how to fight for what you deserve, and we don’t back down.

What to Do After an Injury in Lafayette

Getting hurt is bad enough, but the legal confusion that follows not only makes things worse. Whether it’s a car crash, a slip and fall, or some other unexpected accident, knowing what to do afterward can greatly benefit your recovery—and any legal case you might have.

Prioritize Your Health and Safety

The first, and most important, step is to make sure you’re okay. Some injuries don’t show immediate symptoms. Therefore, even if you feel fine, take the following steps:

• Get medical attention. Call 911 if it’s serious, or see a doctor as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can make injuries worse and even hurt your case later on.
• Follow medical advice. Keep up with treatment, physical therapy, and doctor visits. If you skip appointments, insurance companies might argue that you’re not really injured.

Document Everything

If you can, start gathering information right away. The more details you have, the stronger your case will be:

• Take photos. Snap pictures of the accident scene, any hazards (like a wet floor or broken sidewalk), your injuries, and any property damage.
• Get witness information. If someone saw what happened, their statement could be important later.
• Write down details. As soon as you can, jot down everything you remember. This includes the time, the place, the weather conditions, and any conversations you had with others involved.

Report the Incident

Depending on where and how you got injured, you might need to file a report:

• Car accidents. Call the police, and get an official accident report.
• Injuries on someone’s property. Notify the owner or manager, and ask for an incident report.
• Workplace injury. Immediately report it to your employer, and follow all workers’ comp procedures.

Be Careful With Insurance Companies

Insurance adjusters might act like they’re on your side, but their goal is to pay you as little as possible.

• Don’t admit fault. Even a simple “I’m sorry” can be twisted against you.
• Don’t give recorded statements. They can use your words out of context to give you less money.
• Don’t accept quick settlements. That first offer is usually way lower than what you actually deserve.

Contact Sanchez Burke, LLC

Even if you’re not sure if you have a case, it’s worth talking to an attorney. We can explain your legal rights, deal with the insurance company so you don’t have to, and make sure you get full compensation for your injuries and losses.

At Sanchez Burke, LLC, we can help injury victims in Lafayette figure out their next steps and fight for the compensation they deserve. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. Contact our offices, and let’s talk about your options.

Why Choose Sanchez Burke, LLC?

We’re not just another law firm. We’re a team that genuinely cares about getting results for our clients. We listen, we explain things in plain English, and we keep you updated on your case’s progress. Our job isn’t just about legal strategy; we can work to make your life easier while we fight for what you deserve.

Choosing a lawyer is a big decision, and we want you to feel confident about working with us. Reach out to our firm, and see how we can help.

FAQs About Lafayette, LA Personal Injury Laws

Can Social Media Affect My Personal Injury Case?

Yes. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often look at social media to find anything that could hurt your claim. Even a seemingly innocent photo of you at a gathering, or doing simple activities, could be twisted to suggest your injuries aren’t serious. It’s ideal to set your accounts to private, and stay off social media—or at least avoid posting anything about your case—until it’s resolved.

How Do Insurance Companies Calculate the Value of My Personal Injury Claim?

Insurance companies look at your claim and review information like:

• How serious your injuries are
• The probable cost of medical treatment
• An estimate of any lost wages
• Any long-term impacts on your life

They might also consider the defendant’s fault and any pre-existing conditions you might have. However, even taking all this into account, insurance companies won’t offer you all you’re owed upfront. That is why you need an attorney to negotiate with them so you get the full amount you need.

Can I File a Claim If I Was Injured at a Friend’s House?

If you were injured because your friend didn’t fix a broken stair or poured uneven concrete on that patio, then you can file a claim against their homeowner’s insurance. Most policies cover these types of claims, so your friend won’t be paying out of pocket. Our lawyers can help you get through the situation with as little strain on your friendship as possible.

What If My Personal Injury Claim Involves an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver?

If you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you could still get compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage—if you have it. Our team can help you file a claim with your insurance company and make sure you get the maximum possible compensation for your injuries.

Sanchez Burke, LLC: Your Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyers

If you’ve been injured in Lafayette, the team at Sanchez Burke, LLC, can review your case and let you know what your options are. Whether you need advice, representation, or just some clarity on what to do next, we can be here for you.

Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.