Why would an accident victim in Baton Rouge need to obtain legal representation?

Baton Rouge, LA – When someone is involved in a car accident, they should contact the police and their insurance company. However, some collisions result in losses and damage that cannot be settled with the insurance process alone. The reason victims get help from accident lawyers is to fight for compensation from the person responsible for the collision or their insurance provider. This is usually necessary if there are serious costs tied to medical treatment and lost income because the victim cannot work and requires long term healthcare.

Significant costs of an accident

Many insurance policies for auto accidents will cover somewhere between ten and fifty thousand dollars worth of property damage and medical treatment. There are also certain types of losses that are not covered at all, depending on the terms of the specific policy in question. If someone is seriously hurt, their costs of medical treatment and missing wages can easily reach into the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. Lawsuits are the only way to recover such large amounts. There is also the possibility of payment for non-economic losses tied to pain, suffering, and trauma that are available through lawsuits but not insurance claims.

What is personal injury law?

Some lawyers focus their entire career on people who were hurt in accidents and need help paying for their injuries. Most personal injury lawyers spend a majority of their time filing negligence cases. This means that a driver, business, or other party did not exercise the appropriate level of care and caused the plaintiff’s injuries. Negligence cases also allow the victim to summarize all of their losses when arguing for damages. Most personal injury cases will end with a settlement that compensates the victim with a fair amount based on their damages, but a trial is also possible. Accident victims can schedule an initial meeting with a firm to see if this process is necessary in their situation.

What the lawyer will do to start the case

After the client agrees to representation, the attorney will draft a complaint that outlines some important facts. This includes the time and place of the crash, the other parties involved, a summary of losses, and basic legal arguments regarding fault. This complaint is filed with the local civil court and the defendant is also served with a copy. The defense has a chance to answer and either admit or deny the information in this complaint.

Personal injury cases in Baton Rouge

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf assist accident victims with various matters in the Baton Rouge area. Their attorneys are licensed and in good standing in Louisiana, and they have significant experience in all aspects of personal injury law.

Firm contact info:

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf

3960 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

225-343-2205