Improper lane changes are just one of the many behaviors associated with aggressive driving. However, an improper lane change could also be caused by carelessness or negligence. Sometimes, they are as simple as a driver forgetting to use a turn signal before making a lane change.
Whatever the reason, improper lane changes can be extremely dangerous and can cause serious, or even fatal, injuries to the driver and other motorists on the road. If you or someone you love are suffering because of an accident involving a motorist who changed lanes improperly, a Lafayette improper lane change lawyer may be able to help you hold them responsible for your losses.
The team at the Morris Bart law firm is here to help you pursue compensation to cover the cost of lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. You also never have to worry about expensive retainer fees or upfront costs, as our car accident team works on a contingency fee basis only. We never ask for money upfront or for you to pay out of pocket for our help.
Types of Injuries Caused by Improper Lane Change Accidents
Accidents caused by improper lane changes can cause serious, even life-threatening injuries for the involved drivers and other motorists. Some of the most common types of injuries caused by car accidents include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can range in severity. Mild TBIs are commonly referred to as concussions and generally do not have long-term complications for the victim. When a victim suffers a severe TBI, they may experience changes in personality and impairments in cognitive functioning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Broken Bones
Broken bones can range in severity from a slight crack to a complete break or even multiple breaks. The location and severity of the break are the primary factors that determine how well and how long it will heal. Complications can occur in cases where the bone breaks through the skin, creating the potential for infection.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is responsible for sending messages from the brain to other parts of the body as well as delivering messages back to the brain, according to Merck Manual. If the spinal cord is damaged, messages cannot be delivered properly, which often results in a total loss of mobility below the site of the injury. While some people can go on to live full lives after spinal cord injuries, most require assistive devices like walkers or wheelchairs.
These are just a few of the possible injuries that victims can suffer as a result of an accident involving a motorist who has made an improper lane change. Regardless of your injuries, you have the right to hold a negligent motorist responsible by pursuing a personal injury claim, and a Lafayette improper lane changes lawyer can help.
For a free legal consultation with a Improper Lane Changes Accident lawyer serving Lafayette, call 800-537-8185
Make Sure You See a Doctor After an Improper Lane Change Accident
Since you may have suffered a severe injury in an improper lane change accident, make sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you didn’t have to go to the emergency room, you may have suffered injuries that have latent symptoms.
Only a doctor can properly assess and treat your injuries. Medical documentation can also prove helpful for your case for compensation. Do the right thing for your health and your case by seeing a doctor.
Louisiana Statutes that Could Impact Your Claim
There are two very important laws you should know about that apply to each and every claim: the statute of limitations and the legal doctrine of pure comparative negligence.
Louisiana is a pure comparative fault state. That means that victims can recover damages even in cases where they were somewhat responsible for causing the accident. In a pure comparative fault system, there is no fault threshold that blocks the victim from recovering damages, regardless of how at fault they are. However, if you are partially responsible, your compensation will be reduced by the degree to which you were at fault.
That means if you are 20% responsible, you may be able to recover 80% of the awarded damages. While this is beneficial for the plaintiff if they are somewhat responsible for causing an accident, pure comparative fault is also commonly used as a defense tactic to reduce a defendant’s liability. A lawyer can help to defend you against claims that you are more responsible for an accident on you than you actually were.
The other law that could impact your case is the statute of limitations. Unlike other states that have a statute of limitations of several years for personal injury accidents, Louisiana Civil Code § 3492 only provides one year to make a claim. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this limit, you are typically barred from recovering any compensation. This can leave very little time for a victim to heal before they must decide whether they want to pursue a personal injury lawsuit after an accident.
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Recoverable Damages After Car Accidents
Some common types of recoverable damages in car accident cases like these include:
- Medical costs, like hospital stays, ambulance rides, surgical procedures, medication, and doctor’s examinations
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Future wages
- Future pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or dismemberment
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
The Morris Bart Injury and Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help
If you are suffering because of injuries and financial losses due to another driver’s negligence, you have the right to hold them responsible for your losses, and a Lafayette improper lane changes lawyer can help.
Here are a few specific ways we can help:
- Answer all of your legal questions and offer you guidance for your case
- Gathering evidence, like police reports, witness statements, and video surveillance
- Calculating the value of your case
- Communicating with the insurance company on your behalf
- Building a strong case seeking compensation to the fullest extent of your injuries
- Negotiating with the insurance company to pursue a fair settlement
- Fighting for your rights at trial if we cannot reach an agreeable settlement
The team at the Morris Bart law firm is here to help guide you through the complex claims process from start to finish. If you are ready for us to get started right away or would just like a free case review, contact the Morris Bart law firm.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
