Thousands of people, from residents to tourists, rely on passenger vehicles to safely transport them to and from their destinations in New Orleans, New Orleans East, and the Orleans Parish each year. Whether riding in a ridesharing vehicle or a taxicab, you generally expect to reach your destination without compromising your safety. Unfortunately, accidents can and do occur, and when they do, many passengers are unsure of what steps to take to recover their losses.
You may be entitled to compensation if your driver’s negligent behavior caused an accident. The team of New Orleans passenger vehicle accident lawyers at Morris Bart has worked on many cases like these before, and we are proud of the results we achieved in those cases. For a free review of your case, contact us today.
Laws that May Affect Your New Orleans Passenger Vehicle Accident
The specific law that relates to your accident depends on the type of passenger vehicle you employ. If you were riding in a taxicab, that is, a commercial vehicle, and the driver owed a duty of care to take reasonable precautions to ensure your safety. You must prove negligence to show that the taxicab driver breached the duty of care. Breaches of duty could include:
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- A taxicab that was improperly repaired, resulting in mechanical failure
If you were riding in a passenger vehicle that you found using a ridesharing app, like Uber or Lyft, there is a relatively new law passed in 2015 that protects passengers who use those services.
Under the Transportation Network Company Motor Vehicle Responsibility Law, passenger vehicle trips have two parts: the pre-trip acceptance period, when the driver agrees to take the passenger but has not yet picked them up, and the trip itself.
Rideshare Coverage Policy Amounts
During the pre-trip period, the ridesharing service must provide $25,000 in bodily injury or death coverage for one person or $50,000 for all people, as well as $25,000 in property damage coverage.
During the trip itself, the ridesharing company must carry $1,000,000 in insurance coverage for injury, death, or property damage and also $1,000,000 in uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
For a free legal consultation with a Passenger Vehicle Accident lawyer serving New Orleans, call 800-537-8185
How Our New Orleans Passenger Vehicle Accident Lawyer Can Help
A passenger vehicle accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm can gather evidence and calculate the total value of your losses, including pain and suffering, to help you build a strong case and pursue compensation to the fullest extent of your injuries.
If you were hurt in a passenger vehicle in New Orleans, New Orleans East, or the Orleans Parish using a ridesharing app, while the ridesharing company must provide ample insurance coverage, it can be difficult to get the company to pay.
If the driver was behaving negligently, for example, they may claim they are not responsible. In either case, a New Orleans car accident lawyer can stand up for your rights and, if necessary, take your case to court to pursue a fair settlement for your injuries.
Our New Orleans Injury Attorneys Car About Your Accident Recovery
The Morris Bart law firm takes its clients’ recoveries from passenger vehicle accidents seriously. Our attorneys work hard to help Louisiana’s injured get the compensation they need after experiencing devastating injuries, financial setbacks, and other hardships.
Our New Orleans passenger vehicle accident attorneys can navigate the complexities of your case and protect your interests. We have recovered awards in more than 5,800 cases in 2021 alone. Our case results include:
- $852,845 for a client who suffered neck and back pain and facial fractures in a car accident
- $580,000 for a client who underwent a cervical disc replacement procedure after a car accident
- $475,000 for a client who received neck, back, and shoulder herniations after a car accident
If you are ready to review your legal options for recovery after a New Orleans passenger vehicle collision, you can contact our injury attorneys anytime for a free consultation.
Click to contact our New Orleans Car Accident Attorney today
Damages You May Recover After a New Orleans Passenger Vehicle Accident
While every case is different, some of the common types of damages that victims can recover after passenger vehicle accidents include, but are not limited to:
- Medical costs
- Past and future income
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or dismemberment
- Property damage
If your loved one did not survive the accident, your family may be able to recover wrongful death damages, such as:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical expenses left to the family
- Wages and benefits previously provided by the deceased
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support and protection
How Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations May Impact Your Case
Every state gives accident victims a deadline, also known as a statute of limitations, to pursue compensation after a personal injury accident. It is important for you to be aware that La. Civ. Code Art. 3492 has a statute of limitations of just one year. That means you generally must file your claim within one year of the accident date, or typically, the courts will bar you from recovering any compensation for your losses.
If you are filing a wrongful death action, you generally have a year from the decedent’s death date to do so, per La. Civ. Code. Art. 2315.2.
Injuries that Occur in New Orleans Passenger Vehicle Accidents
Various injuries can occur during passenger vehicle accidents. Some common types include:
Broken Bones
Broken bones are a common injury after a car accident. While the outlook in most cases is positive, some complications can occur, such as infection, arthritis, blood vessel or nerve damage, stiffness, or uneven growth. The healing period for this type of injury is usually lengthy, and surgery is often required.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can occur as a result of trauma during a car accident, specifically to the neck, back, face, head, or chest area. While some people can lead full and productive lives after a spinal cord injury, most people must use wheelchairs, walkers, and other assistive devices to cope with the loss of mobility.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
TBIs are a major cause of death and disability in the U.S. and often occur because of a blow to the head during a collision. In fact, car accidents are the second-leading cause of TBIs and result in 20% of all TBI-related hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is actually a symptom of another injury, one that can rapidly become life-threatening. Because the bleeding is not always apparent, many victims do not realize that they are losing blood until their situation becomes severe. Common internal bleeding signs include seizures, increased heart rate, and coma. If you incurred any of these injuries or something else, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact Morris Bart today to find out what options you have or to take advantage of our free, no-risk consultation.
Call Us Today About a New Orleans Passenger Vehicle Accident
Putting your life back together after an accident can be challenging, but you don’t have to handle the task alone. Hiring legal representation can make the process easier to manage.
To find out what your best options are for recovering your losses after a passenger vehicle accident, call Morris Bart today at (504) 613-4771. Our New Orleans passenger vehicle accident lawyer can review the accident and advise you on your next steps, including how to recover compensation from the at-fault party.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
