Were you hurt in a car accident in Shreveport, Louisiana? Desiah Injury Lawyers can help you determine who may be responsible, deal with the insurance company, and seek compensation for the losses caused by the crash. Contact us at (318) 252-3034 for a free consultation with an experienced Shreveport car accident lawyer.
Car accidents happen throughout Shreveport, from high-speed collisions on I-20 and I-49 to crashes along busy local routes such as Youree Drive and Mansfield Road. In the aftermath, you may have questions about insurance coverage, fault, medical expenses, and what steps to take next.
How Can Desiah Injury Lawyers Help After a Car Accident in Shreveport, LA?
Insurance companies begin gathering information soon after a collision, but their goal isn’t necessarily to determine what would make the injured person whole. Having your own attorney means someone is evaluating the crash and its consequences from your perspective.
Our Shreveport personal injury lawyer can help you by:
- Obtaining the police report and other records related to the collision
- Preserving photographs, video footage, and physical evidence
- Speaking with witnesses about what they saw
- Determining whether another driver, business, or other party may bear responsibility
- Reviewing available insurance policies
- Documenting medical expenses, missed work, and other losses
- Handling communications and negotiations with insurers
- Preparing your case for court if the parties cannot agree on a fair settlement
Our firm brings more than a decade of experience to personal injury cases and has recovered millions of dollars for clients. We’ll keep you informed as your claim progresses and help you evaluate important decisions along the way.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Shreveport?
Your health should come first, but there are also practical steps you can take to document what happened after a crash.
If possible:
- Call 911 and report the collision
- Seek medical attention for your injuries
- Photograph the vehicles, damage, roadway, traffic conditions, and accident scene
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver
- Obtain names and contact information for witnesses
- Keep copies of medical bills, repair estimates, receipts, and other records
- Avoid admitting fault or speculating about what caused the crash
- Be cautious about giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer
- Speak with a Shreveport personal injury attorney before accepting a settlement
You don’t need to determine fault yourself at the scene. Focus on your safety and gathering information that may help establish what happened later.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Shreveport Car Accident?
Depending on your circumstances, a car accident claim may include both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages can reimburse or account for financial losses, such as:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital bills
- Future medical care
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Vehicle damage
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages address consequences that don’t have a fixed dollar amount, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Physical impairment
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The amount available will depend on your particular injuries, expenses, insurance coverage, and other facts unique to your situation.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault for a Louisiana Car Accident?
Possibly. Under Louisiana’s modified comparative fault law, you can generally recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault for the accident. However, your compensation may be reduced according to your percentage of responsibility. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages.
For example, if you were found to be 20% responsible for the collision, your recovery could be reduced by 20%.
Because allegations of shared fault can directly affect how much you recover—or whether you recover anything at all—evidence establishing how the crash occurred can be particularly important.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Louisiana?
Louisiana law generally gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit.
However, the applicable deadline can vary depending on the circumstances. Certain defendants or types of claims may also involve additional requirements.
A Louisiana car accident attorney can identify the deadline that applies to your particular situation and take steps to preserve your claim before time runs out.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident in Shreveport?
Not every fender bender requires an attorney. If no one was injured, liability is clear, and the insurance company properly resolves the property damage claim, legal representation may not be necessary.
However, a collision that initially seems minor can become more complicated if your symptoms worsen, the other driver disputes fault, the insurer questions your treatment, or your expenses exceed what you initially expected.
If you’re unsure, a consultation can give you a better sense of whether handling the claim yourself is reasonable or whether hiring an attorney could be beneficial.
Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s First Settlement Offer?
Not automatically. An early offer may arrive before you know how long you’ll need treatment, whether you’ll miss additional work, or whether your injuries will leave lasting limitations.
Accepting a settlement generally ends the claim, so the important question isn’t simply whether the amount sounds substantial. It’s whether the offer adequately accounts for the losses the accident has caused and those you’re reasonably expected to experience later.
Before signing a release, you can have a lawyer evaluate the offer and explain what you would be giving up by accepting it.
Still Have Questions? Contact Our Shreveport Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Review
Every car accident presents a different set of questions. The severity of your injuries, disagreements over fault, available insurance coverage, and the way the collision has disrupted your work and daily life can all affect what happens next.
Desiah Injury Lawyers can review the circumstances of your crash and explain the options available under Louisiana law. Contact our experienced Shreveport car accident attorney today to schedule a free initial consultation.