If you have been injured in Metairie, LA, due to someone else’s negligence, it’s important to know you have legal rights. You might be dealing with hospital bills, missed days at work, and the uncertainty of figuring out insurance claims. In Louisiana, personal injury law is meant to help people like you recover not just from the physical pain but also cover the costs that threaten your financial well-being.
You do not need to take on the insurance companies or navigate complex court rules alone. If you need help with a claim in Metairie, Louisiana, we’re here for you. Contact Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at (888) 601-0127 to schedule a free consultation with a Metairie personal injury lawyer.
Why Should I Hire Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers To Handle My Metairie Personal Injury Case?
Choosing Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to handle your case in Metairie, LA, is a great choice for the following reasons:
- Our team has over five decades of combined experience helping people with serious injury claims.
- Many of our lawyers previously worked on the other side – for insurance companies and defense firms – which means we know the tactics adjusters use to limit what’s paid out, and we use that knowledge for your advantage now.
- We have successfully recovered millions of dollars for past clients, making sure they’re fairly compensated after being hurt in accidents.
- Every case is handled with personal attention, honesty, and care because we understand what’s at stake for you and your family.
When you hire our Metairie personal injury attorneys, you can expect us to do the following:
- Conduct an investigation
- Gather evidence
- Discuss your options
- Handle communications with insurance companies
- Negotiate for a full settlement
- Represent you at trial if necessary
If you have any questions about a personal injury case in Metairie, Louisiana, contact Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Metairie personal injury lawyer.
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?
You might wonder if you have a personal injury case worth pursuing. Here are a few things that can help you decide if your situation is appropriate for a legal claim:
Someone Else Was Negligent
If another person, company, or organization acted carelessly – like a distracted driver, a business with unsafe floors, or a doctor who missed an important diagnosis – you might have a case.
You Suffered Actual Injury or Loss
If you got hurt, missed work, racked up medical bills, or faced property damage because of someone’s actions (or inaction), you may have a claim worth pursuing.
Causation Is Clear
There needs to be a clear link between what the other party did (or didn’t do) and the harm you experienced. For example, you can show you fell because the store left spilled juice on the floor for hours.
Evidence Can Back It Up
It helps if you have evidence to show what happened. Some of the most important pieces of evidence include:
Medical Records
These show exactly what injuries you suffered, how you got them, what treatment you received, and how much your recovery cost. Doctors’ notes and bills can directly tie the injuries to the accident and justify claims for your medical expenses.
Photos and Videos
Pictures taken at the scene – of damaged cars, icy sidewalks, broken stairs, visible injuries, or anything else that contributed to your accident – preserve what things looked like right after the incident. They can prove fault and show the extent of what happened even after things are cleaned up.
Witness Statements
Witnesses who saw the accident happen can tell your side of the story and confirm you weren’t at fault. Their testimonies are valuable if the other side tries to argue against your claim.
Police or Accident Reports
An official report is an outside record that establishes when, where, and how the accident took place. These documents bring in credible third-party observations and often include diagrams or officer comments about who they think was responsible. They should also include information about any citations given at the scene of the accident.
Receipts and Wage Records
Proof of money spent and lost – including hospitalization, car repairs, and paychecks you missed – are crucial for getting paid back for all your out-of-pocket costs.
If you’re not sure if you have a case, talking to a personal injury lawyer can clear things up and help you figure out your next steps.
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is one of the smartest steps you can take after an accident, and here’s why:
- Insurance companies handle injury claims every day and have their own lawyers backing them up. Having your own experienced attorney helps level the playing field so you aren’t taken advantage of during the process.
- Personal injury claims can get complicated quickly, often requiring medical experts, investigators, and accident reconstruction specialists. A lawyer knows who to bring in and how to build a strong, well-supported case.
- When you file a claim, the other side will likely try to put some or all of the blame on you. A skilled lawyer can anticipate this and fight back to protect you from unfair claims that could lower your compensation.
- After an accident, you or your loved one should focus on healing, not paperwork or phone calls with adjusters. Your lawyer takes on the legal headaches so you have the space and peace of mind needed to get better.
Having a lawyer on your side takes pressure off you and lets you focus on your recovery and moving forward.
We Handle All Personal Injury Cases in Metairie
Our firm covers all areas of personal injury in Metairie, and we’re here to guide you through the process, no matter what type of accident or injury you’ve suffered. Some areas we specialize in include:
Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of injury. Whether it’s a fender-bender or a serious collision, we investigate every detail – like police reports, witness accounts, and insurance documentation – to get to the truth and pursue the recovery you need for your losses.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries because they have less protection in a crash. We handle the specific challenges bikers face, including insurance bias and complicated reconstructions, so your motorcycle accident claim gets the respect it deserves.
Truck Accidents
Cases involving large trucks can be complicated by company regulations, multiple potential defendants, FMCSA regulations, and extensive injuries. We know how to obtain and look at driving logs and maintenance records, and hold trucking companies – and other parties – accountable for the harm caused due to a truck accident.
Premises Liability
Slip and fall accidents, dog bites, or injuries at stores or apartment complexes are premises liability cases. We will work to prove that the property owner knew, or should’ve known, about the danger and didn’t fix it, building a case for compensation.
Medical Malpractice
When a medical professional makes a mistake or fails to provide the right care, the consequences can change your life. We thoroughly review medical records, consult with experts, and handle the litigation needed to stand up for victims of negligence by doctors, nurses, or hospitals.
Wrongful Death
If you’ve lost a loved one because of someone else’s actions, we can help you bring a wrongful death claim to seek damages for your loss, like lost financial support, funeral costs, and the emotional impact. Our approach blends compassion with dedication to seek justice for your family.
If you or someone you care about has experienced any of these incidents in Metairie, our experienced team is ready to help you seek accountability and financial recovery.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Wondering how you’ll pay for a personal injury lawyer is a common concern, and most people are relieved to learn that they generally work on a contingency fee basis. With a contingency fee arrangement, your lawyer only gets paid if they win your case. The attorney’s fee comes from a portion of the money you recover – either from a settlement or a court verdict. You don’t pay hourly charges or up-front costs, and you never pay anything out of your own pocket, so you can get started with your claim right away.
Why Is a Contingency Fee Agreement Good for You?
Paying nothing up front removes the financial stress that usually comes with legal matters, especially when you’re already facing medical bills and lost wages. Your lawyer is motivated to work hard for the highest possible compensation, since their payment depends on your recovery. If you don’t win, you owe nothing for attorney’s fees.
This way, hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer is within reach for anyone who’s been injured, regardless of financial situation.
What Damages Are Available to Metairie Accident Victims?
If you’ve been hurt in an accident in Metairie, you may be entitled to several different kinds of compensation, depending on the facts of your case.
Economic Damages
These are the out-of-pocket costs you face because of the accident. Economic damages cover things like your hospital bills, future medical care, lost paychecks while you’re recovering, physical therapy, and even the cost to fix or replace your vehicle.
Non-Economic Damages
Some losses are harder to put a dollar figure on. Non-economic damages provide compensation for things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent scarring, disability, and the ways your life or relationships have been changed.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are used as a way to punish the wrongdoer, but are rarely awarded in Louisiana. A court might consider them in situations like drunk driving crashes.
Every injury case is different, but these are the main kinds of damages Metairie accident victims should know about when considering a personal injury claim.
How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
The value of your personal injury case depends on several different factors. There’s not a simple number or average because each case is different. Some of the factors that help determine the value of your case include:
Liability and Evidence
How clear it is that the other party caused your injury matters a lot. Strong evidence makes it easier to prove your case, which can increase its value. Disputes over who is at fault tend to lower the possible recovery.
Insurance Limits
The amount the defendant’s insurance will pay also sets a limit on what you can get. Even if your damages are high, you may only recover up to the insurance policy limits. If the limit doesn’t cover all your losses, you may have to file a lawsuit against the defendant to get the rest of what you’re owed.
Long-Term Impact
If your injury causes lasting effects, like disability or ongoing medical needs, your case may be worth more. The longer and more serious the impact, the higher the potential value.
Skill of the Attorney
An experienced attorney can better investigate your case, gather strong evidence, and negotiate effectively with insurance companies. Their skill and knowledge often lead to higher settlements or court awards. Having the right lawyer can make a big difference in the value of your case.
Your attorney can give you a better idea of what your case might be worth.
What if I’m Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Even if you’re partly at fault for an accident in Louisiana, the law uses something called pure comparative negligence to figure out how much you can recover. This means your share of responsibility will reduce the amount of money you get, but it won’t stop you from recovering anything.
For example, if you are found 25% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 25%. So, if your total damages are $100,000, you would receive $75,000 ($100,000 minus 25%).
Even if you are mostly to blame, you can still collect some money. It’s important to work with a lawyer who understands how these fault percentages are determined and how they affect your claim.
Personal Injury FAQ
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Accident in Louisiana?
Louisiana law gives you one year from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit for accidents that took place before July 1st, 2024. Any injury that occurred on or after this date has a two-year statute of limitations.
Waiting too long can prevent you from ever bringing your claim, but there are a few exceptions where this deadline might be extended:
- Discovery rule: In cases where you did not and could not have reasonably known about your injury or who caused it right away, the deadline starts from the date you actually discover, or should have discovered, your right to bring a claim.
- Minors: If the person injured is a child, the clock doesn’t start until their 18th birthday.
- Disability: For those who are legally considered disabled, the clock doesn’t start ticking until the disability is removed.
- Fraudulent concealment: If the person who caused your injury hid their misconduct, the law should give you more time once you discover what happened.
Always talk to a lawyer as soon as you can after an accident so you can be sure your lawsuit is filed before your time runs out.
What Is Negligence and How Do I Prove It?
Negligence is a legal term that means someone failed to act with the care a reasonable person would use in a similar situation, and that carelessness led to harm. In personal injury cases, proving negligence is necessary for you to recover compensation. Courts require you to show four specific elements:
Duty of Care
You first need to demonstrate that the other party had a legal responsibility to keep you or others safe. For example, drivers have a duty to drive carefully and follow traffic laws.
Breach of Duty
You’ll then need to prove that the other person failed to uphold that duty – either by acting carelessly or failing to act when they should have. This could be a driver failing to follow traffic laws.
Causation
Next, you have to link that careless conduct directly to your injury. It’s not enough just to show bad behavior; you must show that it actually caused you harm. For instance, if a driver ran a red light and crashed into your car, this would likely show causation.
Damages
Finally, there have to be real losses that resulted, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Proving all four elements is how a lawyer shows someone else’s negligence caused your injuries and that you deserve to be compensated.
Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?
A lot of people worry their personal injury case will end up in court, but the reality is that most claims settle before reaching a trial. Here are some main factors that determine if your case will go to court:
Willingness to Settle
If you and the insurance company are reasonable and ready to talk through each side’s demands, there’s a good chance your claim will be resolved early through negotiation. Settlement happens when both sides can see eye-to-eye about who should pay and how much, saving everyone the extra time and stress that comes with a trial.
Liability and Fault Disputes
Sometimes, the other party won’t take responsibility or claims the accident was at least partly your fault. Or, there may be debates about whether your injuries are really connected to the accident. When there’s a big difference in the stories, it often takes a courtroom to get all the facts on the table and let a judge or jury decide who is really liable.
Value of Your Case
If you and the insurance company have very different opinions on how much your damages are worth, negotiations can reach a standstill. Maybe you have significant future medical expenses that the insurer doesn’t want to pay, or you think your pain and suffering are greater than they believe. When settlement offers and your actual needs don’t match up, a trial may be the only way to resolve the dispute.
Strength of the Evidence
The more detailed your evidence is – medical records that tie your injuries to the accident, photos that show what caused your damages, and witnesses who back up your version of events – the easier it becomes to prove your side and encourage a fair offer. If the evidence is thin or there’s lots of conflicting information, the insurance company may prefer to take their chances with a jury.
Insurance Company Strategies
Some insurance companies would rather not spend time and money going to court, so they might make reasonable settlement offers, especially when the evidence is in your favor. Other companies might use delay tactics, holding off on real negotiations in hopes you’ll give up, settle for less, or decide to avoid trial out of frustration. When this happens, being prepared to take the case to trial keeps the pressure on for a fair resolution.
Your attorney’s job is to be ready for both paths: smart negotiation, if possible, to avoid the time and stress of a trial, but ready for courtroom advocacy if that’s what it takes to get proper compensation.
How Long Will My Injury Case Take?
The length of an injury case can vary widely based on several factors. Typically, cases that settle quickly may take a few months, while others can last a year or more. The complexity of the injury, how clear the evidence is, and whether negotiations succeed without going to trial all play a part.
If the case goes to trial, the process naturally takes longer because of scheduling, motions, and hearings. It’s important to stay patient and work closely with your lawyer, who can guide you through what to expect as your case moves forward.
Contact Our Experienced Metairie Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help
Working with the right attorney gives you the support you need to focus on healing and caring for your family. We handle the paperwork, gather evidence, deal with adjusters and insurance representatives, and work to hold the responsible party accountable. Our goal is to lift the burden off your shoulders so you can move forward. If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by someone else, contact Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Metairie personal injury lawyer.
