Louisiana Car Accident Lawyers

If another driver caused your Louisiana car accident, the case may involve much more than repairing your vehicle.

Medical treatment, lost income, future medical needs, insurance coverage, disputed fault, and the long-term effects of your injuries may all need to be evaluated.

At Jacqueline Scott & Associates, we represent people injured in serious car accidents in Shreveport and throughout Louisiana.

Whether you were rear-ended while stopped, struck by a driver who failed to yield, hit at an intersection, or injured in a highway collision, the first question is:

Why did this wreck happen?

Rear-End Car Accidents

Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of automobile accidents, but they are not always minor.

A vehicle traveling at significant speed can strike a stopped or slowing vehicle with enough force to cause serious injuries.

Questions after a rear-end accident can include:

• Was the other driver following too closely?
• Was the driver texting?
• Was the driver speeding?
• Did the driver fail to notice stopped traffic?
• Was the driver impaired?
• Was the driver distracted by GPS or another device?

Evidence may include photographs, dashcam footage, witnesses, surveillance video, vehicle damage, and police investigation materials.

What If I Was Completely Stopped?

Document that fact.

A driver may later claim you stopped suddenly or unexpectedly.

Dashcam footage, witnesses, traffic-camera footage, or surrounding surveillance may help establish how long your vehicle was stationary.

Intersection Accidents

Intersections can produce some of the most serious car crashes because vehicles may collide from the side.

Common causes include:

• running red lights;
• running stop signs;
• failing to yield;
• unsafe left turns;
• distracted driving; and
• misjudging approaching traffic.

T-bone collisions can be particularly dangerous because the side of a passenger vehicle provides less structural separation between an occupant and an approaching vehicle.

What If Both Drivers Say They Had a Green Light?

Then objective evidence becomes particularly important.

Investigators may look for:

• witnesses;
• business surveillance;
• dashcams;
• traffic-camera information;
• vehicle damage;
• roadway evidence; and
• other available evidence.

Do not assume the insurance company has accurately determined fault simply because its driver gives a different account.

Highway and Interstate Accidents

Highway collisions can involve greater speeds and more vehicles.

A single unsafe maneuver can trigger a multi-vehicle crash.

Common highway accidents include:

• unsafe lane changes;
• rear-end collisions;
• sideswipes;
• speeding crashes;
• distracted-driving accidents;
• merge accidents; and
• collisions involving commercial vehicles.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Drivers can become distracted by:

• texting;
• cellphone calls;
• social media;
• GPS;
• passengers;
• food;
• makeup; or
• other activities.

Cellphone evidence may sometimes become relevant through appropriate legal procedures.

What If the Other Driver Was Working?

If the driver was performing employment duties, additional liability and insurance questions may arise.

Potential examples include delivery drivers, service technicians, sales representatives, and other employees driving for business purposes.

The employer’s legal responsibility depends on the circumstances and applicable law.

What Injuries Can Car Accidents Cause?

Potential injuries include:

• traumatic brain injuries;
• concussions;
• herniated discs;
• spinal injuries;
• shoulder injuries;
• knee injuries;
• fractures;
• internal injuries;
• nerve damage; and
• permanent disability.

Some injuries require surgery.

Others can interfere with employment for months or permanently.

What If I Had a Preexisting Condition?

Having previous medical problems does not automatically prevent a claim.

The question may be whether the accident caused a new injury or aggravated an existing condition.

Medical evidence can be important in distinguishing your condition before and after the crash.

What Damages May Be Recoverable?

Louisiana’s general fault provision states that a person whose fault causes damage to another is obligated to repair the damage.

Depending on the facts and applicable law, damages may involve:

• medical expenses;
• future medical treatment;
• lost income;
• reduced earning capacity;
• property damage;
• permanent impairment; and
• other legally recoverable losses.

What If I Cannot Return to Work?

Preserve employment documentation.

That can include:

• pay stubs;
• work schedules;
• employer verification;
• medical restrictions;
• disability records; and
• evidence of lost overtime.

Permanent injuries may also affect future earning ability.

What Should I Do After a Louisiana Car Accident?

Seek appropriate medical care.

Report the accident.

When safely possible, preserve photographs and video.

Identify witnesses.

Save dashcam footage.

Keep medical and employment records.

And be careful about signing an insurance release before understanding the extent of your injuries.

Talk to Jacqueline Scott & Associates

A car accident claim should not be reduced to an insurance company’s computer-generated settlement number.

The investigation should establish:

Who caused the wreck?

What evidence proves it?

How badly were you injured?

Will you need future treatment?

How has the accident affected your ability to work and live your life?

If another driver caused your serious Louisiana car accident, call Jacqueline Scott & Associates at (318) 746-5997.

Make ’Em Pay.

Every case is different. Results depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each individual matter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This article provides general information and is not legal advice.

This article is general information about Louisiana law and is not legal advice. Laws and deadlines can change, and every case depends on its own facts. Past results do not guarantee or predict future outcomes. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.