If you’ve been hurt in Lafayette, LA, securing an experienced Lafayette personal injury attorney can be crucial to fighting for fair compensation. Reach out to Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers or call (337) 473-2991 now!
We recognize the difficulties and stresses that come with enduring a personal injury. It’s not just paperwork and claims – it’s about managing your recovery, worries about finances, and the emotional toll.
We have decades of combined experience helping clients recover compensation — we’ve recovered tens of millions to date.
For help in Lafayette, Louisiana, schedule a no-cost consultation with a Lafayette personal injury lawyer.
Why Should I Hire Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers To Handle My Lafayette Personal Injury Case?
If you were involved in a crash, the aftermath can be overwhelming. But you don’t need to go through this difficulty alone. Our legal team at Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick can help you navigate all aspects of your injury claim.
Here’s how our Lafayette personal injury attorneys can assist you with the process:
- We determine the best course of action, collect all relevant evidence, and take steps to determine who is liable.
- Our team calculates all damages incurred, including any future costs you may need to deal with.
- We handle all communications with insurance companies to strive for fair settlements that truly reflect your losses.
- If negotiations fail to result in an acceptable settlement, our prepared and dedicated attorneys in Lafayette are ready to represent you at trial.
In the wake of a personal injury in Lafayette, Louisiana, knowing you have legal representation can provide peace of mind.
Contact Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick to schedule a complimentary consultation with a Lafayette personal injury lawyer.
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?
Personal injury cases arise after certain accidents and injuries. Importantly, someone has to be at fault for your injury to trigger an injury claim.
Negligent conduct is the basis of most cases. In these matters, a person has been hurt through the careless conduct of another party. Examples include injuries related to motor vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, and other incidents.
Other injury cases arise from intentional misconduct such as assault. Another category of claims involves strict liability, which means a party violated a safety law and harmed another person. Dog bites and product defects cases offer two examples.
The easiest way to determine whether you have a personal injury case is to consult an injury law firm. Reach out to Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick to schedule a no-charge claim review.
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
There are many reasons you should hire an attorney to help with your claim. Studies show that those who hire an attorney can receive up to 3.5x more money than if they represent themselves.
Here’s what an injury attorney can do for you.
- Level the playing field – Most likely, an insurance company will be on the other side of your claim. Insurers are large, powerful corporations with extensive resources to fight your claim. Hiring an attorney gives you access to your own winning resources and levels the playing field so you can fight for your right to compensation.
- Handle all aspects of your claim – An attorney can handle all aspects of your claim, from investigations and filings to negotiations and court proceedings. Most importantly, they can help you navigate the process and avoid mistakes that could hurt your chances of winning.
- You’ll be blamed – Insurers and other defendants like to blame victims for their accidents. If they are successful, they can get away with paying you less. Your attorney can protect you from unfounded claims that you were at fault.
- You need time to rest – Your health is the most important thing after an injury claim. However, you can’t focus on your recovery if you’re consumed with legal matters. Hiring an attorney will allow you to prioritize your health while your legal team handles all of the legal aspects.
Our team at Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick would be happy to discuss other benefits of hiring an attorney. Schedule a no-cost consultation with a member of our legal team today.
We Handle All Personal Injury Cases in Lafayette
Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick has extensive experience handling all types of personal injury accidents in Lafayette, LA. We frequently recover top awards for clients involved in the following incidents.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in Lafayette. If you were hurt in a crash, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and other damages. Our Lafayette car accident lawyers can help you get justice.
Truck Accidents
Collisions with large trucks often result in catastrophic or fatal injuries for occupants of passenger vehicles. If you were invovled in a truck crash, the truck driver or trucking company may be responsible for your damages. Our Lafayette truck accident lawyers can help you hold them accountable.
Motorcycle Accidents
Drivers don’t always share the road with motorcyclists, which can have catastrophic consequences for riders. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, the at-fault driver may be liable for your losses related to the crash. Our Lafayette motorcycle accident lawyers can help you seek the money you need after your collision.
Slips and Falls
Slip and fall incidents can lead to significant injuries, often in businesses or public areas with unsafe conditions. If you were injured, you could be eligible for a substantial monetary award from the property owner. Our Lafayette slip and fall lawyers can help you understand your rights and options.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is indefensible and often results in criminal charges. However, survivors may be able to file a personal injury abuse against the abuser and hold them accountable for damages related to the abuse. Our Lafayette sexual abuse lawyers can help you get justice against the abuser.
Maritime Accidents
The maritime industry is one of the most dangerous job industries. If you were injured in a maritime accident, you could be entitled to compensation or benefits under one or more laws. Our Lafayette maritime accident lawyers can help you pursue all avenues for compensation.
Industrial Accidents
Industrial accidents can range from falls and struck-by accidents to electrocutions and explosions. If you were hurt, you could be entitled to workers’ comp and/or damages through a personal injury lawsuit. Our Lafayette industrial accidents lawyer can help explain more about your options.
No matter what type of injury you have and what practice areas it involves, help is available. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to schedule a consultation.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Most injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. With a contingency fee, there is no retainer, flat fees, or hourly rates. You only pay attorney fees once your attorney successfully recovers a settlement or verdict on your behalf. Specifically, you will pay a pre-agreed-upon percentage of your award.
However, if your lawyer fails to recover money for you, you will not owe any attorney fees. Contingency fees keep high-quality representation affordable when those who are injured face unexpected expenses due to their injuries.
Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick offers contingency fee arrangements in all personal injury cases.
What Damages Are Available to Lafayette Accident Victims?
Individuals involved in personal injury accidents may be entitled to several types of damages, depending on the specifics involved, including:
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover objective financial losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for subjective non-monetary impacts, like pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages, designed to punish the defendant for particularly egregious conduct and deter similar actions in the future, are rarely awarded in personal injury cases. State law reserves such damages for very specific and severe circumstances.
The one instance that may arise often in personal injury claims occurs when injuries are inflicted by a defendant who was intoxicated during a motor vehicle crash.
For a detailed evaluation of the damages you may be able to claim, reach out to a Lafayette personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
No lawyer can perfectly predict your case’s value without knowing the facts. Determining the worth of a personal injury case involves evaluating various factors, usually including:
- The extent of the injury and any physical damages, emotional trauma, and any long-term consequences
- Whether you lost wages and/or suffered a diminished earning capacity
- Available insurance policies
- The strength of your evidence
- The skill of your attorney
- Whether you were partially responsible
To gain a clearer understanding of the potential value and to ensure you’re fully informed about your options, schedule a consultation with us.
What If I’m Partially At Fault For the Accident?
Yes, under Louisiana law, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you’re partly blamed due to the state’s pure comparative negligence rules.
This principle means that liability is shared among all at-fault parties. If you share fault, any compensation you receive will then be reduced by your percentage of responsibility for the incident. You can recover damages even if you’re up to 99% responsible.
Personal Injury FAQ
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Personal Injury Accident in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, as of 7/01/2024, you typically have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if your injury occurred before 7/01/2024, you may be subject to a one-year time limit. Additionally, for certain types of cases, such as matters of wrongful death and medical malpractice, you likely have one year to file a lawsuit.
There can be exceptions that shorten or extend the deadline. If the applicable deadline expires, you may be legally barred from seeking compensation for your injuries.
To avoid missing the statute of limitations, make sure you reach out to an attorney in Lafayette as soon as possible.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Personal Injury Accident in Louisiana?
To successfully prove negligence, you’ll need to establish four key elements:
- Duty of Care – Demonstrate that the defendant owed a level of care to behave in a way that prevents others from harm. For instance, drivers have a responsibility to obey traffic laws and drive safely.
- Breach of Duty – You’ll show that the defendant’s behavior did not meet what was required of them. An example would be a driver running a stop sign.
- Causation – You must prove that the breach directly caused your injuries — for example, a car ran a stop sign and crashed into you.
- Damages – You need to show that you experienced actual damages, like medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
If you’ve been hurt and believe another is to blame, connect with us to explore your options to begin building a solid case for the compensation you deserve.
Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?
Most personal injury cases are settled. Only around 5% go to trial. The chances are good that your matter will settle without the need for trial.
However, trial may be necessary in certain situations, including:
- If the insurance company has denied your claim
- The insurer is devaluing your damages and refusing to settle for a fair amount
- You are being blamed
- There are multiple at-fault parties involved
In these scenarios, a trial may be necessary to recover full compensation for your injuries.
Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick strives to obtain a prompt and positive settlement in every case we handle. However, we have the skills and knowledge to go to trial if the other side refuses to settle. Reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation and learn whether you may need to go to trial.
How Long Will My Injury Case Take?
The timeline of your injury case will depend on various factors. Simple claims involving minor to moderate injuries are the quickest to resolve, usually only taking a few weeks or months to complete.
Cases that involve serious injuries and complex damages take longer to resolve. You may need to reach maximum medical improvement before you can fully assess the extent of your damages. These cases can take several months or even years to resolve.
Cases that proceed to trial will take the longest to complete. The parties must go through discovery, motions, hearings, jury selection, and trial. These cases can take up to a year or more to resolve, depending on the circumstances.
To determine the timeline, speak with an experienced attorney. They can give you an estimated time frame based on the unique facts involved.
Contact Our Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a personal injury in Lafayette, Louisiana, know that you don’t have to face it alone. We are ready to guide you through every step of your claim and fight for the justice and compensation that you deserve.
We understand how challenging the period after a personal injury can be, and we are committed to providing compassionate assistance. Contact Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick to schedule a free consultation with a Lafayette personal injury lawyer.
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