What Are the Steps to Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Louisiana?
When an accident in New Orleans leaves you with injuries, you may not know how to pay for your medical treatment. Even with insurance, medical bills can be expensive, and your injuries may cause you to miss work for an extended period. If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, they should be responsible for your financial burden.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party in your accident can provide you with the compensation needed to pay your bills. If you’re unsure what steps to take to file your claim, a New Orleans personal injury lawyer from Smiley Injury Law, LLC can help.
Gather Evidence
The first thing you must do to file a personal injury lawsuit for your accident in New Orleans is gather evidence. By investigating your accident thoroughly, you can use photographs or witness statements to identify who caused your accident.
Determine Whom to Sue
Determining whom to sue is the second step in filing a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana. It’s possible that the negligent party who caused your accident is the same person you should sue for your damages.
For example, if a distracted driver hit you in a car accident, you can sue them and collect compensation for your injuries. However, liability isn’t always so simple. For instance, if a car malfunction caused your car accident, you may be able to sue the car manufacturer.
Calculate Your Claim Value
After you can name a defendant in your case, you can calculate your claim value by assessing all the ways the accident affected your life. You can recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages in your personal injury claim. You should consider your medical expenses, lost wages, property damages, and pain and suffering.
Contact a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney
Consulting an experienced attorney is a great way to ensure that you miss no steps in the claims process. If you’d like to schedule a free consultation with a New Orleans personal injury lawyer from Smiley Injury Law, LLC, fill out the contact form below or call 504-894-9653.
