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What are the different types of auto insurance coverage in Lafayette?

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Lafayette, LA – Each driver can purchase an auto insurance policy that is appropriate based on their driving habits and coverage needs. Certain types of coverage are optional, while all drivers must have some kind of basic liability insurance if they want to drive legally. Louisiana, like most other states, only legally requires liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage. This is because of the government’s interest in protecting life and property, but not necessarily protecting a person’s personal investment in their car.

Lawsuits are also a common part of the process following a car crash, as victims may need larger amounts than their insurance policy will cover. 

Liability coverage

If a driver causes injuries to another person or property damage during their accident, they will be covered up to several thousand dollars worth of damage. This is the main type of insurance that most drivers purchase because it is necessary in order to drive. Coverage amounts will usually range between ten and twenty five thousand dollars of liability protection for standard policies.  

Collision insurance

Collision insurance that pays the owner of the car for vehicle damage and repairs is generally only required if the car is subject to a lien or financed by a loan from a bank. If the driver does not purchase collision insurance, then they will have to pay for all repairs on their own without the help of an insurance company. Even if a driver has collision insurance, they will usually have to pay for several hundred dollars worth of repairs before the insurance company will help.

Comprehensive coverage for a car

This is an optional part of an insurance policy that protects a car from damage by something other than a car crash. Different providers have slightly different types of comprehensive policies, but they usually cover losses from crime, theft, vandalism, bad weather, and other less common sources of damage. Damage from animals and pest issues is usually covered under a comprehensive policy as well, as this is not considered normal accident damage. Despite the additional costs of comprehensive   

Lawsuits against negligent drivers

Drivers are regularly sued for causing accidents and property damage, whether they have sufficient coverage or not. When someone is seriously hurt and cannot work as normal, a lawsuit based on the events of the car accident is often the only way that the person can receive enough money to cover their medical bills and lost income. 

Legal help in Louisiana

Meeting with a local attorney is the most important step for accident victims who need financial help. Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf help clients in Lafayette with the process to receive compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. 

Firm contact info:

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf

3960 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

225-343-2205

www.mlhlaw.com

What does a driver need to do immediately after an accident in Baton Rouge?

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Baton Rouge, LA – The moments following an accident can be crucial for both the purposes of treating injuries and documenting the collision for insurance claims or lawsuits. Drivers should be aware that there are certain standard procedures that increase their likelihood of success and recovery. It is in their financial interest to follow all of these steps closely. 

Remaining at the scene

Leaving the scene of a car accident is a crime in Louisiana and all other states. Even if the accident appears to be very minor, the driver should at least stop and exchange information with the others involved before leaving. If the people involved agree that the accident appears very trivial, they can move on without filing an insurance claim. However, the drivers may not be protected if injuries or car problems appear later and they did not initially contact the police or their insurance company. 

Contacting emergency services or police

If there appears to be any kind of property damage or injuries to anyone involved, it is important to contact the local police or call 911. The police officers on the scene will begin to conduct an investigation of what possibly caused the accident. This can be very important for anyone who wants to try to file a lawsuit at a later time if they want to prove that the other driver was at fault. The formal accident report often offers insight about who was responsible for the collision and other important facts such as the time, place, and extent of the damage. 

Getting in touch with an insurance company

All commercial insurance providers require their customers to report their accidents as soon as realistically possible. The driver should call the provider as soon as they are safe and able to do so. The insurance company will likely ask for basic details such as who else was involved and where and when the crash happened. They will also send an adjuster to review the damage to the vehicles if any property or collision damage is reported. 

Drivers should be aware that despite these procedures, the insurance company ultimately has the discretion to choose to pay claims or not. This can be especially frustrating for drivers who have been paying for coverage in case of a collision. Many lawyers who focus on accidents help clients when the insurance process is not helping them. 

Speaking with a local lawyer after a collision

Personal injury lawyers assist their clients with holding the person or business responsible for their injuries accountable through a civil lawsuit. Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf are experienced attorneys who work on these types of cases in Baton Rouge and other parts of Louisiana. 

Firm contact info:

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf

3960 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

225-343-2205

www.mlhlaw.com

How much will a car insurance policy pay out after an accident in Lafayette?

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Lafayette, LA – All drivers in the United States are required to have some kind of car insurance coverage, but the requirements vary slightly based on the driver’s state of residence. Insurance claims are the primary way that vehicle damage and other types of losses are covered. In the event of an accident, there is always the possibility that the insurance company will deny a claim or say that the particular accident is not covered by the driver’s relevant policy. In these cases, the accident victim should get their own lawyer who can review the insurance company’s actions and recommend a solution. 

Coverage requirements in Louisiana

The state of Louisiana requires all drivers to have certain minimum coverage amounts to legally use the roads. This includes up to $15,000 for bodily injuries or fatalities to one victim caused by the driver, a $30,000 total for all injuries or fatalities caused by a driver in any given accident, and up to $25,000 of any kind of property damage that was caused by their vehicle. These amounts will generally cover the medical bills of other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians, as well as protect the driver from lawsuits for any property damage that they caused during an accident.  

Serious crashes can possibly cost hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars when all of the losses are combined. For this reason, many victims of accidents choose to resort to the legal process to have the possibility of collecting more money through a settlement or trial available.  

Buying additional coverage

Aside from these minimum auto insurance coverage amounts, drivers can pay for additional types of coverage or larger potential payouts in case of an accident. Each individual driver needs to discuss their situation with their insurance company to find what policy will work best. The costs of these policies may also vary greatly depending on the driver’s location, their history and driving habits, and the specific insurance company’s volume of business. 

However, even with a high cost or comprehensive insurance policy, there is no guarantee that the insurance company will pay for all damage associated with any particular crash. Insurance companies are businesses that need to generate profits, and they have many cost saving measures in place, which often include claim denials. Some lawyers spend much of their time reviewing insurance claims for mistakes or foul play. 

Help after an accident in Louisiana

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf handle various issues related to car crashes, auto insurance, and personal injury lawsuits in the Lafayette area. Potential clients can contact the firm to schedule a meeting and decide on a course of action with the help of a licensed attorney. 

Firm contact info:

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf

3960 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

225-343-2205

www.mlhlaw.com