When should someone file an accident lawsuit instead of an insurance claim in Fred?
Fred, LA – Anyone who is involved in an accident should formally report the incident to their insurance company and the local police. This is the best way to start the process to receive compensation, create a formal record of the crash, and preserve evidence. However, in some cases a person may also decide that they need legal assistance from an attorney at a later time. This is normally due to the fact that serious accidents can result in medical costs due to injuries, missed time from work, and sudden large expenses that people cannot afford without a settlement from the party at fault. People who are struggling financially after a collision should take some time to schedule a meeting with a lawyer.
Collisions that only result in car damage
Insurance claims tend to be sufficient for incidents where there are no problems beyond vehicle damage. If someone only needs their vehicle repaired after an accident, utilizing the claim process, along with any appeals if necessary should be enough to handle the situation without resorting to lawyers and lawsuits.
When the insurance process is insufficient
Many accident victims who have serious costs will find that insurance companies are not always helpful, and they tend to want to pay out as little as possible to settle a claim and avoid any further expenses. In these situations, the person should contact a personal injury attorney and explain their situation. Injury lawsuits can force the business or person responsible for the incident to pay as much as necessary to compensate the victim.
Awards of damages
The main reason that a person will pursue a lawsuit is to receive various kinds of compensation, also called damages, through a settlement or a trial. Damages add up a person’s property damage costs, medical bills and treatment, lost income and future lost wages, and non-economic losses related to physical pain and trauma. All of these amounts combined can be very large if the person was seriously hurt. However, a person who was badly injured will likely need thousands or even millions of dollars if they require long term treatment and can no longer work as normal.
Time limits for accident lawsuits
Anyone who is considering an accident case in Louisiana should keep the statute of limitations in mind. The state has a short time limit of just one year to bring a lawsuit, so people who have recently been involved in a crash should keep this in mind.
Learning more about accident lawsuits
There are accident attorneys who help people in Fred and other cities throughout Louisiana. Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf is a law firm that focuses on these kinds of cases, and they are available to meet with local clients.
Firm contact info:
Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf
3960 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70806
225-343-2205
www.mlhlaw.com
