If a driver ran a red light and caused your Lafayette Parish traffic accident, you may be able to hold them responsible for the damages you suffered as a result of their negligence. A Lafayette red light lawyer can represent you in your insurance claim if we believe you have a case for compensation.
Let a member of our legal team review your case for free today. Call (337) 446-4571 to speak with a member of the Morris Bart law firm in Lafayette about your injury accident.
Carelessness Is a Primary Cause of Red Light Accidents
Every driver knows that running a red light is dangerous. The same can be said for other bad behaviors in an intersection, such as running a stop sign, not slowing down for a caution light, failing to yield before a left turn on green, and not stopping before turning right on red.
However, intersections are one of the most common locations where car crashes occur. Also, intersection accidents are commonly side-impact collisions, which are very dangerous to occupants riding on the side of the vehicle broadsided. Injuries may be serious, catastrophic, or even fatal.
To hold the red light runner liable in your accident case, you will need to have the necessary evidence to prove they acted negligently. Generally, this relies on showing they violated a traffic law, this led to the motor vehicle accident, and you suffered personal injuries and losses.
Per Louisiana Revised Statutes (RS) §32:232, drivers must stop at a red light and take the proper actions when they encounter other traffic signals, as well. If we can prove that they failed to do so, we can likely build a case against them in court if necessary.
It is important to note that red light violations may involve more than a careless driver. In some cases, these drivers are distracted, drowsy, drunk, or otherwise impaired. These impairments may also play a role in your case if there is evidence to support these allegations.
To learn more about how we may approach proving your case, contact our law office for your complimentary evaluation today.
For a free legal consultation with a Red Light Accident lawyer serving Lafayette, call (337) 446-4571
Proving Your Lafayette Red Light Accident Case
If we accept your case and can secure compensation for you based on the merits of it, we will help you prove:
- The other driver acted negligently.
- The other motorist is liable for your accident.
- You sustained injuries, expenses, and losses because of the accident.
Proving these requires a wealth of evidence and often centers on what others witnessed. If there is no video of the accident and there are no eyewitnesses, accident reconstruction may play a central role. Other evidence may include:
- The report filed by law enforcement, as well as any additional documentation
- A survey of the accident scene
- Any physical evidence available
- Your relevant medical records and related documents
- Receipts, bills, and other proof of damages
- Expert witness testimony
- Any other evidence collected in the investigation
Our legal team will take the evidence we collected to support your claim and develop a case to present to the insurance company representing the at-fault driver. Once we have the necessary information, we will approach the insurer and demand a just payout based on the evidence.
This process usually leads to settlement negotiations, and we will negotiate for a settlement that fairly compensates our client for their economic and non-economic damages. While the insurance company’s initial offer is sometimes significantly below what we would accept as a fair payout, we know how to protect our client’s rights and fight for just compensation. Most cases settle without going to trial.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If we need to file a personal injury lawsuit in Lafayette Parish because the insurer continues to refuse a fair agreement, denies their policyholder is liable, or otherwise denies your case, we will. It may also occur if we are nearing the time limit to take legal action. Under the Louisiana Civil Code (CC) §3492, we only have one year to file a civil action in a car accident case. As this date approaches, we may need to file the paperwork to protect your right to do so. It does not mean your case will go to trial, but it could.
To learn more, contact the Morris Bart law firm today at (337) 446-4571.
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Damages a Red Light Accident Victim May Recover
When our attorneys represent you in a Lafayette accident case, we will seek compensation based on the value of the damages you suffered. We will calculate a fair value as a part of building your case. Some common recoverable damages include:
- Medical treatment and injury care
- Lost income, benefits, and the diminished ability to earn
- Loss of services
- Property damages and vehicle repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Other non-economic damages
- Wrongful death damages
A Red Light Attorney in Lafayette Can Help You Pursue Compensation in Your Case
A Lafayette red light lawyer can help you take legal action if we believe you have a viable case against the driver who hit you. Our team members are standing by now to review the details of your case for free. If we accept your case, we will represent you during the claims process and/or in court based on contingency. You will not need to pay any attorney fees unless and until you receive compensation for your damages.
Call (337) 446-4571 today to discuss your case with an attorney from our legal team. We will help you to understand what your legal options are based on what you tell us and determine if we can help.
The Morris Bart law firm has 16 offices in the Gulf South, including serving accident victims in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas.
Questions?Call (337) 446-4571
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
