Zachary Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accident Attorney in Zachary, LA

Car accidents can happen unexpectedly and leave you with numerous costs and serious injuries. The injuries from a car accident can affect you for weeks or years. Many individuals are unsure of what to do after a car accident. When you were not at fault for the crash, you can recover compensation to cover the costs of your injuries and other losses. An experienced Zachary car accident lawyer is an essential ally and resource during this process.

Murphy Law Firm: Providing Victims of Car Accidents With Compassionate Legal Care

Insurance and civil claims must be filed soon after an accident happens, but this is difficult when you are dealing with the aftermath of an injury. When you work with Murphy Law Firm, we can manage your claim for you, giving you a greater chance of success and allowing you to rest. Our firm has spent the past 30 years supporting communities throughout Louisiana. We are proud to help injured individuals fight for the justice and financial recovery they are owed.

When you are injured in a car accident, Murphy Law Firm can provide you with compassionate and comprehensive legal representation. We have secured over $250 million for our clients, including a verdict of $18.9 million for an auto accident. Whether your case is settled in negotiations or proceeds to trial, our personal injury lawyer team can bring exceptional legal care and advocate for your rights and financial future.

What Should You Do if You Are in a Car Accident in Zachary?

Motor vehicle accidents are a frequent cause of injuries. In Zachary, there were 240 suspected injuries in car accidents in 2024 and one fatality. East Baton Rouge Parish had a total of 7,980 suspected injuries and 66 fatalities. When another driver’s negligence causes you to be injured, you can hold them accountable.

What you do after a car accident is important. The right steps can help you protect your health and well-being and the well-being of others. These steps can also protect your legal rights and ability to file a claim to recover damages. If you are seriously injured, you should focus on receiving immediate medical care.

If you are in a car accident in Zachary, take the following steps if possible:

1. Move to safety: If you are in immediate danger, get to a safe location. Moving individuals who cannot move themselves could worsen their injuries, so only do so if they are in immediate danger. If it is possible to move vehicles, only move them if they are in the flow of traffic. Remain at the scene.
2. Call emergency services: If you were involved in a car accident in Zachary, your first step once you are safe is to call 911. Report the crash and any injuries. In many cases, you are required to report the accident. Reporting is also essential to support a future claim.
3. Exchange information: While you wait for emergency responders, you and the other driver or drivers should exchange information, including contact information, vehicle identifying information, driver’s license information, and insurance information.
4. Receive medical care: Even if you don’t think you are injured, some injuries can be masked due to shock or may not develop until later. Getting medical care is important to protect your physical well-being. It is also important to have documentation for your claim.
5. Give a police report: When asked, provide a statement to the officer on site. Only tell the facts and don’t speculate about the cause of the accident. Don’t admit fault. Having a copy of the police report is important evidence for your claim. The Zachary Police Department is located at 4510 Main Street, and their non-emergency number is (225) 654-9393.
6. Document the accident: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, your injuries, and damage to the vehicles. If there were eyewitnesses to the accident, get their contact information if possible.

After you leave the accident scene, you should get additional medical treatment from your primary care provider and report the accident to your insurance if required. Do not talk with other insurance companies until you have contacted an experienced car accident attorney.

What Evidence Is Important for Building a Strong Car Accident Case?

Each car accident case might require different evidence depending on how it happened. Some common types of evidence in collisions include:

• Traffic cameras and dashcams of the crash
• The police accident report
• Photos and videos you took of the aftermath of the accident and your injuries
• Medical treatment documentation of your injuries
• Witness testimony
• Cell phone records
• Physical evidence, like skid marks or paint scrapes
• Professional accident reconstruction
• Black box footage
• Employment information
• Evidence like cosmetics, food, or other distracting things in the vehicle
• The road condition and weather data

Depending on the parties involved in a crash, where it occurred, and how it happened, there may be other evidence needed. When you hire a skilled car accident attorney, they conduct a thorough investigation of the crash to assess the party or parties who are liable using this evidence.

How Do You Prove a Driver Is at Fault?

To have a valid claim, you must be able to use this evidence to prove the following elements:

1. The driver owed you a duty of care.
2. They breached this duty, often due to negligence.
3. Their breach of care was caused or was a significant cause of an accident.
4. In the accident, you suffered injuries and other damages.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Louisiana?

Car accident claims generally have to be filed as soon as possible after an accident in Louisiana, although it can vary depending on the insurance company. If you wait too long to file, it can lead to complications and potential denials from the insurer.

Once an insurance claim is filed in Zachary, you also need to be aware of the civil claim statute of limitations. This is the time period that you have to file a claim with the court. If you miss the deadline, you will be barred from financial recovery through the court.

Litigation avoidance is why insurance companies are willing to negotiate with you, so when litigation is no longer a threat, they will stop negotiating. During negotiations, keep an eye on the statute of limitations. If you and the insurer cannot reach a fair settlement in negotiations, you will likely need to pursue litigation to recover the compensation you deserve.

It’s very useful to work with an attorney on these cases. Not only do they help you file complete and strong claims, but they also keep an eye on these deadlines and give you legal advice on the benefits of taking your case to court.

FAQs

Do Most People File a Claim After a Car Accident?

After a car accident, most people recover damages through insurance claims. Often, these claims are negotiated outside of court. While filing a civil claim may happen, it is less common. It may be necessary if the party at fault for the accident does not have insurance to cover the injured party’s losses. If the at-fault party has insufficient insurance coverage, this may also result in a civil claim in certain circumstances.

What Compensation Are You Entitled to After a Car Accident in Zachary?

The compensation you are entitled to after a car accident in Zachary will depend on the damages you suffered as a direct result of the accident. You may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, long-term care needs, lost income, reduced earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, reduced enjoyment of life, and emotional trauma.

Calculating these damages can be complicated, particularly the long-term costs of an injury and its non-economic damages. Working with an attorney makes this easier.

Is It Worth Filing a Claim Against a Car Insurance Company in Louisiana?

Whether or not it is worth filing a claim against a car insurance company in Louisiana after an accident depends on many factors. If you are asking for fair compensation for your damages and the insurance company is refusing to negotiate, it may be worth it to file a civil claim in court to financially recover. It’s helpful to review your situation with an attorney experienced in car accident insurance claims and civil claims. They can help you make an informed choice.

How Much Are Most Car Accident Settlements in Louisiana?

Every car accident settlement is unique to an individual’s damages and other circumstances of the accident. Some influencing factors include:

• The at-fault party’s insurance coverage
• The availability of evidence
• Whether the fault is contested
• If the injured party is partially liable for the accident
• How willing the insurer is to settle fairly
• Whether the case goes to court
• If exemplary damages are awarded
• The injured party’s car accident attorney

How Can a Zachary Car Accident Lawyer Help Me Negotiate With Insurance Companies?

A Zachary car accident lawyer can help you negotiate with insurance companies by dealing with the insurers directly so that you don’t have to. Insurance companies may try to undermine your claim in many ways, such as claiming you were partially at fault, denying the claim outright, or diminishing how serious your injuries are. Attorneys can gather evidence for a strong claim and know how to counter these tactics by insurers.

Work With Murphy Law Firm After a Car Accident in Zachary

The attorneys at Murphy Law Firm can help you get financial support after a car accident. We want to help you move forward with your life and cover medical expenses and other costly damages. Contact our firm today if you or someone you love was in an accident.

Zachary, Louisiana Car Accident Resources

• Louisiana Car Accident Statute of Limitations
• Louisiana Car Accident Statistics
• Louisiana Car Accident Laws
• What to Do After Car Accident in Louisiana?
• Causes of Car Accidents in Louisiana
• How Long After A Car Accident Can You File A Claim In Louisiana?
• Who Is At Fault in a Multi-Car Accident?
• Types of Brain Injuries from Car Accidents in Louisiana
• Factors To Know About Louisiana Car Accidents
• Negligence in a Louisiana Car Accident Lawsuit
• Average Car Accident Settlement in Louisiana
• What Happens If You Are at Fault in a Car Accident in Louisiana? 
• How To Get a Police Report After a Car Accident in Louisiana?
• Can I Sue for a Car Accident if I’m at Fault in Louisiana?

Your Path to Legal Resolution Starts with Murphy Law Firm.

When you choose Murphy Law Firm, you gain access to a team of experienced attorneys with a proven track record of success. We understand the importance of trust, and we strive to build lasting relationships with our clients by delivering exceptional results.

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