Gonzales Personal Injury Lawyer

Gonzales Personal Injury Attorney

It’s sometimes difficult to get an insurance company to believe you after experiencing injuries as a result of an accident. A Gonzales personal injury lawyer can give you more legal support and help you negotiate with large companies. There are certain ways these claims must be handled to prevent mistakes that could cost you money, and an attorney knows how to work through them.

We Care About Your Future

At Knightshead Law Firm, we go above and beyond a personal injury claim to support our clients when they need it most. We have a great deal of understanding of Louisiana’s court systems after working with them for over 15 years. While we can handle the paperwork for your case, we also support your position by fighting for it.

Common Personal Injury Cases in Gonzales

Car accidents are one of the most common personal injury cases in Gonzales. There are different risks associated with different areas, like highways, rural areas, and heavy traffic, but they can all be dangerous if a driver is unprepared or distracted.

Some car accidents are minor, but others can cause injuries that last for the rest of a victim’s life. Determining fault after a collision often requires evidence like photos, witness statements, and professional analysis. In Louisiana, both a driver and a passenger can seek compensation for their injuries, but this might be difficult to do on your own without professional help.

Workplace accidents are also fairly common, especially in riskier industries with more manual labor, like construction and manufacturing. Workers’ compensation is often the only remedy for a workplace injury, but a personal injury claim could be filed in some situations.

What To Expect in a Personal Injury Claim

There’s an organized process for how a personal injury claim is conducted. Most claims follow this order:

• Investigation and evidence. In the beginning, it’s important for everyone involved in the claim to gather as much evidence as possible about what really happened. A lot of evidence, like photos of the scene and witness statements, is more difficult to retrieve the longer you wait. Sometimes, professionals like doctors or accident reconstructionists are brought in to evaluate what happened and who is to blame.
• Medical treatment and recovery. In some cases, victims might think they only experienced minor injuries, but the medical records tell a different story. Many people suffer serious injuries that require extensive therapy and even surgery. Common car accident injuries range from whiplash to spinal damage, and insurers often underestimate their long-term costs. If you accept a settlement offer from an insurance company before fully reviewing your injuries, it might not be enough to cover severe and long-term medical issues.
• Negotiation with insurance companies. Most claims are settled before the trial takes place. This requires negotiation with the insurance company to receive what you claim is worth. Insurance companies start with offers that may be too low, which requires an attorney to intervene and advocate for a higher amount. Since the median household income in Gonzales is around $66,152, additional money can be incredibly helpful.
• Filing a court claim. You might have to file a claim in court for compensation. This doesn’t mean you have to go to trial, but it does show an insurance company that the victim is taking the next step to receive the compensation they deserve. For the 11.3% of Gonzales residents considered to be in poverty, this action can make a significant difference in future outcomes.
• Settlement or trial. In most cases, individuals receive compensation before actually having to go to court. However, if a trial does happen, the verdict is decided by a judge or jury. Working with an attorney can strengthen your claim and make it more likely for you to succeed.

In Louisiana, 88.3 out of every 100,000 people died due to preventable injuries in 2023. These injuries often have someone to blame, making a personal injury or wrongful death claim important.

FAQs About Personal Injury Law in Gonzales,LA

How Do You Prove Negligence in a Personal Injury Case?

To prove negligence in a personal injury case, you must show that the person at fault had a duty of care to act in a way to keep you safe. It also must be shown that they breached this duty, which directly caused your injuries and resulted in damages that can be addressed monetarily. There must be actual damages, like medical bills or lost wages. Certain types of evidence, like accident reports and medical records, can help with this.

What if the Injured Person Was Partially at Fault?

If the injured person was partially at fault, they can still file a claim. They might receive less money in damages, but it’s still possible to recover some compensation. The amount of fault they share in the accident plays a large role in how much they can recover. The higher the percentage of fault the victim is assigned, the lower the amount of damages they can recover.

How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take to Settle?

A personal injury claim can take different amounts of time to settle, depending on the case. Some cases settle in a few months, but others can take a year or even longer. Cases with higher damage amounts tend to take longer and usually deal with more severe injuries. The stronger the evidence that is available for the claim, the faster the case might move, but insurance companies can delay the process.

Can a Family Member File a Claim for a Loved One’s Injury or Death?

A family member can file a claim for a loved one’s injury or death. However, eligibility to file a claim depends on the family member and their relationship to the loved one. If a person’s injuries are too severe to file a claim on their own, a close relative can act as their representative. If the person dies due to their injuries, a loved one would have to file a wrongful death claim. There are strict rules for these claims that limit who can file them.

Knightshead Law Firm Can Help You Secure Fair Compensation

Without the right legal help, a personal injury claim can add even more stress to what is already a consuming situation. An attorney can provide their knowledge and experience to your case so that you don’t have to exert time and effort you don’t have during the recovery process. Schedule a consultation with Knightshead Law Firm for more information.