St James Parish Car Accident Lawyer

Car collisions are an unfortunately common occurrence, resulting in damage to vehicles, minor injuries, catastrophic injuries, and even death. When these accidents happen because another driver fails to yield, drives distracted, or is otherwise careless, they can be held liable for the damages of the crash. A St James Parish car accident lawyer can help those injured by the negligence of others recover financially.

Dedicated St. James Parish Vehicle Accident Attorneys

If you have been injured by another driver or another party’s carelessness, you can file a claim to recover your injury expenses and other damages. At Gauthier Amedee, we understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with the aftermath of a car crash. We can help you navigate your case and reduce the stress of the process. We want to be your Go2Lawyers. Our team has more than 40 years of collective experience in personal injury law, and we are dedicated to justice.

Filing for Compensation After a Car Accident in St. James Parish

Car accidents frequently lead to injuries, property damage, and death. In St. James Parish, there were 324 suspected injuries from 2024 car accidents and 196 suspected injury crashes. There were sadly five fatalities in the parish in five separate fatal crashes. One of these deaths was a pedestrian, while the others were drivers. The majority of these injuries and fatalities occurred in rural St. James, including all five fatalities and 89.5% of all suspected injuries in the parish.

After a car accident, it can be difficult to know what to do. Most car collisions are caused by the carelessness of another driver or multiple other drivers. When this is the case, injured individuals can file a claim with the insurance company of the at-fault driver. This insurance claim can recover certain costs, including your medical expenses. The majority of car accident insurance claims are settled through negotiations with the car insurance provider.

However, if a fair settlement can’t be reached, then the case can be filed in civil court. A civil personal injury claim may also be necessary if the at-fault party doesn’t carry the required car insurance. Working with an attorney can determine what options you have to financially recover after a crash and how to effectively maximize that recovery.

How Do You Hold a Driver Liable for a Car Accident?

Most drivers are at fault for an accident because of negligence. This means that the driver acted carelessly and in a way that was unreasonable given the situation. To prove a driver liable on the basis of negligence, you must prove the following:

1. Duty of care. The driver had a duty of care to adhere to, such as the duty to avoid causing harm to others on the road.
2. Breach of duty. The driver broke this duty of care because of a negligent action or inaction.
3. Causation. The violation of the duty of care was a direct or indirect cause of the accident, and the accident would not have occurred without the driver’s negligent behavior.
4. Damages. You suffered legally recognized damages as a direct result of the accident, including injuries.

Evidence of all these elements must be uncovered for a successful claim. After a car accident, the most important thing is to report the accident, as well as the injuries you are aware of. This ensures you get medical treatment at the scene and that there is a record of the accident by the onsite police officer.

What to Do After Leaving the Scene

When you can leave the scene after giving a report, you should get medical care from a facility, as they have resources that emergency responders may not have to check for injuries. This also gives you additional records to help prove damages. The St. James Parish Hospital is located at 1645 Lutcher Avenue in Lutcher, and its number is (225) 869-5512.

Not all car accidents happen because of a negligent driver, although most do. In some cases, a driver is liable for misconduct or even malice. In other accidents, third parties are responsible, such as a trucking or shipping company, the manufacturer of a car part, or the entity responsible for road maintenance and safety.

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Car Accident Claim?

The compensation you can recover in a claim will depend on the damages you suffered, including how serious your injuries are and how much they affect your life. Some of the damages you may be able to recover include:

• Medical expenses. You can recover the cost of hospital stays, surgeries, emergency room costs, prescription medications and devices, mobility aids, transportation to the hospital, and other costs. You could also recover the costs of your likely future medical needs, like physical therapy or the costs of injury complications.
• Lost wages. You may have been unable to work while you recovered from your injuries or missed work for doctor’s appointments. These lost wages can be replaced in a claim.
• Reduced future earning capacity. If your injuries permanently impact your ability to work, this can be included in a claim. This covers a range of situations, including if you can only work part-time if you have to work in a new area of employment, or if you can no longer complete gainful employment at all.
• Property damage. Damages to your vehicle or other personal property could be in a claim, depending on your own insurance coverage. This includes the costs for repair or replacement.
• Non-economic damages. This includes pain and suffering, mental trauma, lowered quality of life, reduced enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.

Whether or not you can recover the full amount of these damages depends on other factors. You may be limited by the insurance coverage limits of the at-fault party. If you don’t work with an experienced attorney, you are unlikely to accurately assess your damages and be able to negotiate for their full amount. You may also be partially liable for the accident, which impacts the compensation you can recover.

Work With Gauthier Amedee in St. James Parish Today

There are many causes that lead to car accidents, and they can happen even when you are driving carefully and defensively. You should not have to deal with an insurance or civil claim by yourself during this difficult time. Insurance adjusters do not operate in good faith and will try to limit the financial recovery you rightfully deserve. Contact Gauthier Amedee today to schedule a consultation to talk with an attorney about your case, and let us defend you.