337-989-1212
Car Accident At Night Stock Photo

Injured in an Auto Accident?

Getting help is easy! We're here to make sure you get the money you deserve from the insurance company.

The National Trial Lawyers
NAOPIA Top Ten Attorneys Badge
Elite Lawyers Badge National Association of Distiguished Counsel - Top One Percent Badge
Litigator of the Year Badge
  • Hidden
  • Hidden

In Paine? Call Blaine.
Call Now Contact Us

Involved In An Accident? Here's How A Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Motor vehicle accidents are a serious problem throughout the United States. Thousands of people are injured or killed in traffic accidents each year. According to the NHTSA, fatal car crashes claimed 35,485 lives in 2015 and 37,461 lives in 2016 in the United States. In addition to the deaths caused by car accidents, over two million people are injured each year in traffic accidents. LSU’s crash data reports for 2020 state that 64,300 people were injured in vehicle-related accidents statewide and 827 were killed in traffic accidents that year.

The Law Offices of Blaine J. Barrilleaux has been assisting clients in recovering compensation for damages caused by car accidents for over 25 years. Call 337-989-1212 to schedule a free consultation with a Lafayette car accident lawyer. We serve clients in Lafayette and the surrounding areas.

Lafayette Car Accident Laws

Our Lafayette car accident lawyer can explain the laws surrounding accidents in greater detail. But just to give you a little more foundation, here are a few Lafayette car crash laws explained.

Statute of Limitations

A statute of limitations is a state law that defines the time limit for your right to bring a lawsuit to court. In our state, the statute of limitations for damages caused by car accidents is one year.

This means that you have one year from the date of the incident to get help from a car wreck attorney in Lafayette, LA, and bring a lawsuit regarding injury or damaged property to court. Usually, these things get wrapped up much more quickly than that, but for complicated cases, insurance providers may try to drag their feet past the statute of limitations date to get out of paying you what they owe.

With the exception of medical malpractice and suits against the state, Louisiana doesn’t have any laws to limit the amount of compensation you can receive for damages. You may be able to get a lot more from your insurance than you think. Don’t let your insurance provider take advantage of you. Contact us today so we can help you get what you deserve.

Reporting an Accident

According to state law RS 32:398 linked above, you are required to report any accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500 to the police and provide them with your information. If you fail to do so immediately after a Lafayette traffic accident, you could incur penalties and potentially give your insurance provider an excuse not to cover you.

 

BJB Alt logo

No one should have to go through a car accident injury alone, especially when there’s a legal battle involved. That’s where we come in. We say, “In Pain? Call Blaine!” because The Law Offices of Blaine Barrilleaux is available 24/7, even on holidays, so that you can get the help you need right away. We don’t just take on any legal case, we focus on helping those who have been injured because we believe that’s where we can make the biggest difference. It’s our mission to make the Lafayette community the best place it can be, and that starts with helping each other. So if you’re ever in need of assistance with a car accident injury case, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re always happy to help.

 

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Lafayette, Louisiana

In some cases, poor weather conditions, defectively designed roads, dangerous road conditions, or defective automobile parts contribute to the cause of car accidents. However, most car accidents involve some type of driver error. When a driver is negligent, that driver can be held liable for any damages caused by the Lafayette car crash, including medical expenses, income loss, property repairs, and other damages.

Examples of driver negligence that can contribute to the cause of a traffic accident include:

  • Texting While Driving or Talking on a Cell Phone
  • Speeding, Reckless Driving, and Other Traffic Offenses
  • Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Drugs
  • Drowsy or Fatigued Driving
  • Inexperienced Drivers
  • Distracted Driving (i.e. eating, grooming, adjusting controls, searching for fallen objects, etc.)

The cause of an accident determines who is liable for your damages. A Lafayette car accident lawyer investigates the car crash to determine the cause of the crash and identify the liable party or parties. By thoroughly investigating the accident, we increase the chance that you will receive maximum compensation for all damages.

 

Car Accident Statistics

Motor vehicle accidents are a serious problem in the Pelican State and throughout the United States, as thousands of people are injured or killed in traffic accidents each year. According to the NHTSA, fatal car crashes claimed 38,824 lives in 2020.

This is a 6.8% increase on the 36,355 fatalities in 2019. In addition to the deaths caused by car accidents, nearly 2.3 million people were injured in 2020 due to traffic accidents. Sometimes, insurance companies try to get out of paying, which is where a Lafayette car accident lawyer comes in.

According to the Insurance Research Council, we had the highest bodily injury liability claim frequency in the United States in 2017. There were 1.75 claims per 100 insured vehicles, which is almost double the country-wide rate of 0.90 claims per 100 insured vehicles.

If you are involved in a car crash with an uninsured driver, your insurance policy may not cover you. In our state alone, an estimated 11.7% of drivers are uninsured.

The Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety at LSU reported that in 2020, 64,494 people were injured and 828 killed in vehicle-related accidents in Louisiana alone.

 

Car Accident FAQs

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you will likely have a lot of questions. Knowing what to do next and where to turn for help can be incredibly stressful and difficult. We know what you’re going through and have compiled some of the top frequently asked questions surrounding car accidents, with answers provided below.

 

While no two cases are the same, it’s usually in your best interest to speak with an experienced auto accident attorney as soon as possible after being injured in a car accident that was someone else’s fault. Waiting too long to hire a lawyer in these situations can make the legal process more difficult and can even jeopardize your claim altogether.

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Lafayette, LA, or another surrounding community, don’t wait to contact The Law Offices of Blaine Barrilleaux. The sooner you reach out to our team, the sooner we can review your case and help you figure out how best to proceed. For more information on this topic please review our blog, when to get a Lafayette car accident lawyer.

 

Many people hesitate to contact a lawyer after being involved in a car accident because they worry they can’t afford one. At The Law Offices of Blaine Barrilleaux, we strongly believe that everyone should have access to quality legal representation after being hurt in an accident that wasn’t their fault. That’s why we’re proud to work on a contingency-fee basis. This means that there are no upfront costs to hire us and our payment depends on the success of your case. In other words, you won’t owe us a penny unless we win the case for you.

 

The answer to this question is in two parts. In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, the most important thing is the health and safety of you and your fellow traveling companions. If you’ve been involved in a serious accident, it’s crucial to call 911 to the scene and receive proper medical attention for any injuries. If you’ve been in a fender bender or a minor accident, you can also call (337) 291-8620 to file a police report over the phone. Please note this number is for non-emergencies only.

Even after your accident, you may face many other challenges, from property damage to missed time at work. With this in mind, it’s also vitally important that you contact an experienced lawyer who can help you handle these challenges, navigate the insurance claims process, and help you begin to move forward with life after your accident.

 

If you were completely unharmed after being involved in a car accident, you may be able to handle the next steps and any property damage insurance claims alone. Many times, a lawyer is needed when serious injuries and damages have been sustained; these claims are often very complicated and it can be difficult to get everything you’re entitled to from the insurance company. However, it can never hurt to discuss your options with an attorney, no matter how minor the car accident. At The Law Offices of Blaine Barrilleaux, case reviews are 100% free and there’s no obligation, so you have nothing to lose.

 

You should always see a medical professional after being involved in a serious car accident, even if you aren’t sure if you’re hurt. Some injuries can be internal and take days or even weeks for noticeable symptoms to arise, such as head trauma. Seeing a doctor immediately after your accident will ensure any injuries are properly diagnosed and treated, which can prevent further, more serious health problems later down the road. In addition to your health, being evaluated by a doctor immediately is also crucial to your car accident claim, as these records can help prove that your injuries were a direct result of your accident.

 

If you were responsible for a car accident, you may need to hire an attorney, depending on the circumstances of the accident. Keep in mind that for car accidents, there are two types of attorneys: plaintiff attorneys and defense attorneys. Plaintiff attorneys, like those at The Law Offices of Blaine Barrilleaux, represent individuals who were harmed in accidents that weren’t their fault. Defense attorneys, on the other hand, represent the at-fault party. If you’ve caused an accident, you may need to consider consulting a defense lawyer for help with your case.

 

While you can contact a car accident attorney in Lafayette, LA, at any time, it’s always in your best interest to do so as soon as possible after your accident. In the Pelican State, car accidents are governed by a one-year statute of limitations. Under this law, bodily injury and property damage lawsuits must be filed within one year of the date of your car accident. While most car accident claims are settled and do not require a lawsuit to be filed, it’s always important to keep this time limit in mind. Filing a lawsuit after the one-year statute of limitations is likely to result in no compensation for your injuries and other losses.

 

Sometimes. Most car accident claims are able to be settled through negotiations between your lawyer and the other driver’s insurance company without the need for a trial. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, it may become necessary to file a lawsuit and take your case to court.

Keep in mind that even if you do need to file a lawsuit, you may not have to appear in a courtroom. A settlement can be reached at any time, even after a lawsuit has been filed. No matter the situation, having an experienced lawyer on your side to handle the negotiations will be to your advantage, especially in the event that your case does go to trial.

 

Unfortunately, there is no single answer to this question, as no two car accident cases are the same. The amount of time it takes to settle a car accident claim depends on the unique circumstances of the accident and many other variables. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident that wasn’t your fault and are wondering how long it will take to get a settlement, it’s in your best interest to contact a car accident lawyer in Lafayette, LA, who can review the facts of your case and help you proceed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

 

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Lafayette and have more questions about your legal options and what to do next, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at The Law Offices of Blaine Barrilleaux. We’re always here to help.

 

In Paine? Call Blaine.
Call Now Contact Us

Proving Liability in a Car Accident Claim

To recover money for an injury claim, you must prove that another party was at fault. We begin by determining the cause of the crash. Some car crashes are more complex, especially collisions involving multiple vehicles, commercial trucks, dangerous road conditions, and defective parts. We rely on the network of resources and experts accumulated over 25 years to assist our legal team in investigating the crash and identifying the liable parties.

Some of the potential parties named in car accident claims include:

 

When the driver is at fault (i.e. failing to stop, driving too fast, etc.), the driver can be held responsible for damages. In most cases, it is the driver’s insurance company that negotiates and pays the claim.

 

A company, such as a trucking company, overnight mail service, or pizza restaurant, can be held responsible for damages caused by one of its drivers or in one of its vehicles.

 

If a dangerous road condition contributed to the cause of the accident, a government entity could be liable for damages. In addition, sub-contractors or third parties working for the government could be potentially liable for damages.

 

In the case of a defective car part, the manufacturer of the part and/or the vehicle may be named as a party to the claim.

 

Because it is extremely important to ensure that the correct parties are named, you should work with an experienced Lafayette car accident lawyer. The Law Offices of Blaine J. Barrilleaux has almost two decades of experience handling car accident claims.

 

Do I Need a Lafayette Auto Accident Attorney to File My Claim?

It is usually in your best interest to consult a car accident attorney in Lafayette, LA before you discuss your claim with the insurance company for the other party. Insurance adjusters work for the insurance provider. An adjuster’s goal is to protect the company by denying your claim or paying as little as possible to settle your claim. The adjuster is not working for you.

Unless you are familiar with the tactics used by insurance companies to undervalue claims, you could settle your car accident claim for much less than the claim is worth. Remember, once you settle your claim, you cannot reopen the claim even if you discover additional damages or losses.

Consider working with a legal team who protects your best interests, someone who understands the laws governing personal injury claims in Lafayette, LA. A Lafayette car accident lawyer will not back down and will take your claim to court if necessary to protect your right to receive full compensation for all damages.

 

How You Can Handle a Car Accident in Lafayette

Insurance companies may grasp at whatever straws they can to deny your claim for damages caused by a car accident. If you are in this position, give yourself the best chance of getting the settlement you deserve by following the steps below and then getting help from a Lafayette car accident attorney. Make sure you keep copies of every document so you have an undeniable paper trail: you want to leave the insurance company zero wiggle room to deny you.

 

The police are responsible for filing a report when it comes to damages caused by car accidents. Do call the police to the scene immediately so they can get the story from all parties involved and put that information in their accident report.

According to state legislature RS 32:398, whether you’re at fault or not, you’ll also need to supply personal information such as your name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver’s license or permit number to the police for their report. This applies to all accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500.

Later, you’ll be required to make a report to your auto insurance provider and also detail any injuries to a hospital if you require medical care.

 

Your insurance provider and the insurance provider(s) of the other party will discuss who is at fault and other details about the case, so you’ll need to exchange information with the other party to give to your insurance provider.

Take pictures of the damage to your car, the damage to the other party’s car, and property damage or injuries if any occurred.

If any bystanders saw the accident take place, speak with them and ask them to wait for the police to arrive to give a witness statement. If they aren’t able to do so, ask for their phone number so the police can contact them for a witness statement. Ask them to write down everything they remember as soon as they can so that they can provide accurate information when called upon.

When the police arrive and take your information, get the police report number from them to provide to your insurance company.

 

Call your insurance company as soon as you can so they can start the necessary processes. Provide them with the police report number, all the pictures you took, and all the information you received from the other party.

Ask any questions you have at the time, and if their answers don’t make sense or seem unethical to you, ask for the specific section of your insurance policy that discusses this issue. Ask your insurance company to send you a copy of the report once it has been filed so you have a copy on hand in case you need to take them to court for refusing to approve your claim.

Keep in mind that while they are your insurance provider, if the accident is in any way your fault, they’ll be the ones shelling out money for it, both for your damages and for the damages to the other party’s car and/or property. Insurance companies aren’t in business to lose money, so be aware that they will look for any reason to deny your claim or raise your insurance premiums.

Go through your policy and make sure that they are sticking to their word throughout the process. Any deviation on their part from the contract you both agreed to could be useful for you if you take your insurance provider to court.

 

Hopefully you won’t need medical treatment after all the other stress that comes with being involved in a car crash. But if you do, seek it as soon as possible. If you wait to report your injuries, the insurance company may claim that there is no proof that your injuries came from the crash.

So make sure you get treatment right away – the same day or even directly from leaving the scene of the incident if at all possible – and ask for a copy of the doctor’s report and any other paperwork the office can provide, so that you have a paper trail and plenty of evidence to support your claim.

If your doctor recommends taking some time off work and supplies you with a doctor’s note, ask for three additional copies besides the copy for your employer. Send one to your insurance provider and one to the other party’s insurance provider as proof that you are also losing work time due to the incident.

If the crash was the fault of the other party, they may be liable to pay you for lost work hours in addition to other costs. Keep the third copy of the doctor’s note for your own records should you need to take your insurance provider to court.

 

Because insurance companies generally want to pay out as little money as possible, you may feel that you don’t really have anyone on your side through this stressful process. If you suspect that your insurance company won’t be helpful or if you’re already unsatisfied with how they’ve handled the situation, it’s time to get some help from an experienced Lafayette car accident attorney.

The Law Offices of Blaine J. Barrilleaux have been assisting clients in recovering compensation for damages caused by car accidents for over 25 years. Call 337-221-4055 to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Lafayette, LA, and find out how we can help.

We serve clients in Lafayette, and the surrounding areas. Here’s what our recent insurance settlements clients have to say about their satisfaction with our services.

 

What Our Clients Are Saying

5 Star Testimonials

Wanda C.

The service I received from Blaine & associates exceeded my expectations. They have gained my trust and worked to finalize all in my favor. Their hard work and diligence is proven!

Chad J.

Helped me get the settlement I deserved from an insurance company that fought us every step of the way. Mr. Barrilleaux made it look easy and took care of everything.

Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

Nicole B.

Best services in the world. Could not ask for a better law firm.

Matthew C.

Blaine and his team were very helpful and I would recommend their services.

Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

Joseph H.

I’m from out of state and a professional truck driver. I had a multi car accident in Louisiana. I was not at fault but injured. Blaine and his staff helped deal with all the insurance companies and lawyers. He was with me for my deposition and met with me when I asked him to, if I was in the area. His staff are great and very patient with people that ask the same questions over and over. I can’t say enough good things about this man as a professional. I would use him again if I need to.

Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

Dawn W.

Blaine Barrilleaux was great. This was my first time ever filing a lawsuit and he and his office made it easy, painless, and informative. They always let me know what the next step in the case was as to not leave me lost and wondering what is going on. I would recommend him and his staff to anyone. Thanks for taking such great care of me.

Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

Charles S.

When I was in pain, I called Blaine and he got the action I wanted! I highly recommend him as a personal injury lawyer. He’s a no nonsense, straight to the point attorney and he doesn’t let the big insurance companies push him around. HE PUSHES BACK!!! THANKS BLAINE!!!

Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

Victor S.

Blaine and his staff are the greatest. They’ve taken very good care of my wife and I since our accident. I would definitely recommend the law office of Mr. Blaine Barrilleaux to anyone seeking a dedicated injury attorney.

Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

Joel P.

He made the other insurance company drive to my house to bring me my check from Texas. He was very understanding and listened to everything I said. He fought for me and got me the surgery I dearly needed. You won’t be able to find another lawyer who cares like him. He’s very patient with his clients.

Austin C.

Blaine is fair, smart and caring; his staff is great!

Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

Donna L.

Anytime I needed anything Blaine’s team was there to help me. They were friendly and on top of everything I asked for. I really appreciate how hard and quickly they worked to resolve my case. I would highly recommend Blaine Barrilleaux Law for anyone needing legal help.

Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

Dawn M.

Mr. Blaine Barrilleaux and his staff made this process as painless as possible. This was my first time going through a lawsuit and he and his staff made me very comfortable and went above and beyond to make sure I understood the process and what to expect. I would recommend this law firm to anyone seeking help.

Lafayette, Louisiana USA

Jeff and Michelle

Blaine Barrilleaux and his staff went beyond what was ever expected. Blaine was very easy to talk to and he listened to all my needs and concerns. They truly care. Thanks Blaine for all you did for us.

Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

Kimberly S.

Blaine and his staff treated my family with the most respect. Blaine cares for his clients and goes above and beyond for them. Thank you Blaine for all your hard work and time in my case.

Morgan City, LA, USA

Call for Your Free Case Review Now!

The Law Offices of Blaine Barrilleaux is a personal injury law firm in Lafayette. Our law firm welcomes a wide range of personal injury cases including auto accidents, truck accidents, workers compensation and wrongful death. To schedule a consultation with one of our practicing attorneys, please give us a call at 337-989-1212 or complete our inquiry contact form.

 

Free, Immediate,
Case Evaluation

  • Hidden
  • Hidden

Accessibility by WAH