Personal Injury Lawyer Lake Charles, LA 

After an accident that has caused you to become injured, you likely want to reach out to our personal injury attorneys Lake Charles, LA relies on from Delphin Law Offices. We understand the idea of going through a legal claim can be difficult: you are not sure of how much money you may be able to recover and you are concerned that the process of filing a claim will be long and arduous. This is one of the reasons you should have a personal injury attorney on your side. We will fight for compensation on your behalf. To see what our team can do for you, schedule your consultation now. 

What should I know before filing a personal injury claim? 

Before you go forward with filing a claim, there are a few helpful things our Lake Charles, Louisiana personal injury attorneys want you to know. 

• A lawyer is there to help. In fact, people who work with lawyers during the personal injury claims process will typically recover more compensation than those who don’t. Why? A person with a lawyer is usually taken more seriously than those without one and a lawyer will know whether you are getting a fair settlement offer or if they should keep fighting. 
• Be careful of what you say. When you are interested in filing a claim, you should be extremely careful about what you say and to who. We understand the need to tell friends and family that you were in a devastating accident. However, don’t blast information on social media and be wary of speaking with the other party’s insurance agent. Their only goal is to get you the lowest settlement amount possible. 
• Put the pen down! If you have already spoken with the other party’s insurance company, don’t sign anything. You’re going through a difficult time and the insurance agents are trained to know what questions to ask to get you to say what is necessary to lower the compensation. If they ask you to sign something, say you need to speak with your attorney. 
• You don’t have to go to court. It’s absolutely possible to settle your claim outside of court without needing to file a lawsuit. However, this will depend on how much compensation you are seeking and whether the insurance company is willing to give you what you want. If they are not, your attorney will aggressively pursue them in the courtroom. 

Speak with Our Team Now! 

Injury claims can come in a wide variety of forms, but they all are hinged on the injured party suffering some kind of loss due to the negligence or disregard of others. Contacting an attorney as soon as you realize that your injury may be serious is important as you do not want your potential claim to fall victim to a statute of limitations cutoff. Here, at Delphin Law Offices, we want to ensure that our clients get the best possible representation no matter their situation.

We will guide you through your claim process carefully and professionally to ensure you understand the extent of your damages as well as your legal rights. Often, insurance companies will underestimate the value of your damages and will attempt to deter you from filing a lawsuit. Let us protect your rights and advocate for your fair compensation. Our attorneys here at Delphin Law Offices will not only help you understand the legal jargon in these insurance policies but also the extent of the insurance coverage you can legally claim. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in Lake Charles or anywhere in Louisiana, please consider us when looking for experienced and hands-on legal representation. Please follow the respective link below that pertains to your particular situation. Call our personal injury attorneys in Lake Charles, LA now.

You’ll most likely need to contact a personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles, LA, to investigate your personal injury case and determine fault. Determining who is at fault in an accident is complex, and it can vary from case to case. Every Louisiana car accident is different, and many factors need to be considered when determining who is at fault – and who is responsible for your injuries. It’s important to trace responsibility back to a party involved in the accident, but sometimes that party might not be what you expect. Consider these two examples: 

• Hit by a drunk driver: For the sake of this example, let’s say you were driving your car and minding your own business before a drunk driver suddenly hit you. In the blink of an eye, you’re suddenly swamped with medical bills, hospital stays, and a completely disrupted life. The other driver had a responsibility to be safe on the road, and by driving drunk, they were neglecting that responsibility (and breaking the law). In this case, they could be held accountable for your injuries, and they (or their insurance) could owe you some serious financial compensation.
• Blind corner: For our next example, imagine being hit by a driver that was coming around a blind corner. This case isn’t as obvious as the drunk driver example – and the party at fault may surprise you. Because the street was planned out so there was a blind corner that led to your accident, you could potentially hold the city responsible for your injuries. Contacting a personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles, LA, could help you determine who’s most at fault.

A personal injury lawyer is a valuable ally in your fight to get the most compensation possible for your accident. They can help you thoroughly investigate your case and determine if any other parties can be held accountable for your injuries. They can walk you through the complicated process that comes with filing a claim.

A personal injury means much more than just a trip to the hospital – in fact, your hospital stay might be the tip of the iceberg. Aside from medical appointments, emergency room care, and possibly even physical therapy to make a full recovery, you can expect incredibly costly medical bills to get yourself back on your feet.

Of course, your health comes first, and you should always prioritize getting better after an accident or injury. However, it can be hard to focus on getting better when you’re constantly stressing about finances. After an accident, you could be dealing with medical bills, repair bills, and lost wages. These all stack up and can make your recovery a stressful and challenging process.

Lost wages are tough to deal with. While you were once relying on paychecks to pay off essential debts (think of mortgages, rent, utilities, or any other financial obligation you might have), in the wake of an accident, chances are you’re probably in no shape to clock in for work every day. This can land you in severe financial jeopardy: Without any income, it’s challenging to keep your debt managed. Fortunately, a personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles, LA, can help you negotiate with insurance companies to secure any lost wages you may be owed.

Of course, if you were hit in a pedestrian accident, you may be facing even more difficulties when it comes to your recovery (and paying for it). Fortunately, Delphin Law Offices is committed to making sure you’re looked after and receive the compensation you deserve.

Pedestrian Accidents

At Delphin Law Offices, our personal injury lawyer Lake Charles, LA, relies on can help you when you have been the victim in a personal injury accident as a pedestrian. Being in a pedestrian accident typically comes as a shock to victims because they are usually minding their own business, looking both ways before crossing the street, or walking down the sidewalk. A pedestrian accident can be severe and come entirely out of nowhere.

It is not surprising to hear that many pedestrian-car accidents end up with fatalities. If you were recently injured in a pedestrian accident and would like to seek compensation with the help of an attorney, call our office today. 

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents To Occur

Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents most often occur because a person in some kind of motor vehicle likely was not paying attention to their surroundings. This is incredibly dangerous for pedestrians because if someone driving a car or a truck does not look where they are going, they could easily hit, injure, and kill a pedestrian. Our personal injury lawyer has seen this happen by people who were:

• Drunk driving
• Driving and distracted
• Talking on the phone or texting
• Eating while driving
• Driving on a poorly maintained road

Who Has The Right Of Way

Remember, if you were hit while you were walking on a sidewalk, you are the one who has the right of way. If you were on a crosswalk, even if you did not have a “walk” sign, you may still have the right of way because the car should have reasonably been able to see you and yield. If you were obeying the law, know that the driver of the vehicle is the one who is responsible for your injuries. It is important to understand that the driver owes you and others on the road a duty of care. When they caused an accident to happen and subsequently injured you, they breached this duty of care. 

How We Can Help You

After being injured in a pedestrian accident, we know you likely have questions regarding pedestrian accident laws in Louisiana and what you can do to fight for your right to compensation. Once a person has been struck by a vehicle or a bike, they may suffer from injuries so severe that they are life-threatening. When you are the victim, it is essential to understand the laws and understand the odds that you will get compensated for your injuries. Do not hesitate any longer if you were injured in this kind of accident. We take our clients’ injuries very seriously and are ready to fight on your behalf. Call our office now.

Pedestrians and Walking on Sidewalks

We have talked with many clients, and this is one of the first questions we get asked. In the state of Louisiana, a person should walk on the sidewalk where they are able to. For example, if there is a sidewalk that is safe to use and a person is walking parallel to the sidewalk on the road then this is against the law.

Obeying Traffic Signals

This is another common question because many people want to know if they should obey traffic signals when it comes to being a pedestrian versus being a motorist. When a pedestrian encounters a traffic signal or sign, they are legally responsible to obey it. For example, pedestrians should abide by a simple “Walk/Don’t Walk” sign. 

Determining Fault

While a pedestrian is required to obey traffic signals, motorists are also required to obey traffic signals. They must always be on the lookout for pedestrians, especially when driving near a crosswalk or intersection. If a pedestrian is partially at fault for their accident, it is important to understand that Louisiana works with a comparative negligence system. This means that if the pedestrian is partially at fault for the accident occurring, their compensation will be reduced based on the percentage they were responsible for the accident.

Even if you think you are partially responsible for the accident occurring, you should always reach out to your Lake Charles, Louisiana personal injury lawyer to ensure you are getting the representation you deserve. You may be concerned that the other party’s insurance will deny your compensation or give you an extremely low settlement offer. When this is the case, our attorneys can help you.

Get the Compensation You Deserve

One of the most common reasons for pedestrian accidents is distracted driving, whether someone is illegally using their phone or reaching for something in the back seat. It is crucial that a driver safely operates his or her car and pays attention to their surroundings. If you have been injured as a pedestrian in a vehicle-related accident, get help today. Call your personal injury lawyer from Delphin Law Offices now.

Common Pedestrian Accidents: Electric Scooters

Electric scooters have become the newest transportation phenomenon in the United States. Brands such as Lime and Bird have scooters on every block of major metropolitan cities. Bird was founded only two years ago and has become one of the fastest-growing businesses in this country. With concerns about the environment and the expenses of operating a standard motor vehicle, alternative forms of transportation have become increasingly popular.

Individuals are refraining from purchasing automobiles and turning to alternatives such as bicycles and electric scooters. But with a new form of transportation on roads and sidewalks, there are bound to be accidents involving both cars and pedestrians.

Many scooter riders do not abide by the rules of the road or the sidewalk. They do not use stop signs and red lights, causing sudden hazards on busy roads. On sidewalks, electric scooters often weave around pedestrians and bicycles. Although most electric scooter companies recommend using helmets and require riders to have a valid driver’s license, there are many anecdotal accounts of serious injuries. Only riders under the age of 18 are required to wear helmets, leading to serious head trauma if there are severe accidents.

There are instances when the scooter riders are at fault and automobiles are to blame for accidents. When scooter riders obey the traffic laws and use caution when operating their devices, vehicles must treat them like another entity on the road. If they try to dangerously pass the scooters and an accident occurs, the car drivers are responsible. The frustration of waiting for scooters along with aggressive driving makes riding scooters on the roads a dangerous proposition.

There are some basic steps that both drivers and riders are obligated to abide by to prevent accidents. From a driver’s perspective, they should treat scooter riders like bicyclists and use caution when they are around. They are much more likely to inflict serious injury with their two-thousand-pound vehicle than the scooter drives, so therefore they have an obligation to refrain from reckless behavior around them.

What To Do If a Vehicle Hits You

First, you should seek medical attention for any injury, no matter how insignificant it may be. Even bumps and bruises can be reported, and the defendants are liable in a suit. Next, you should avoid the insurance companies’ requests to settle. Automobile companies are enormous entities with a very detailed insurance policy. The insurance companies do not want you to litigate to seek the total amount in damages because they want to keep the financial remedies as low as possible.

Do’s and Don’ts After a Personal Injury

Do: Contact Your Lawyer Right Away

After sustaining an injury, you should contact your personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles, LA, to start handling your legal case. Waiting too long to take legal action can severely impact your ability to receive the financial compensation and justice you deserve; the sooner you start working with the professionals at Delphin Law Offices, the more quickly your case can be attended to.

Don’t Share Details of Your Case With Others

You never know when information will spread and potentially come back to harm your case, so it’s wise not to share any details of the accident with anyone outside of law enforcement or your legal team. Avoid talking about your case on social media, and don’t attempt to contact anyone else involved in the incident without the guidance of your personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles, LA. On the same note, never agree to sign any documents, give statements or agree to be recorded without your lawyer present.

Do Attend All Medical Appointments

It’s very important to attend all of your doctor’s appointments after you’ve sustained an injury. Not only can this help you significantly in the recovery process, it also shows initiative on your part and goes a long way in helping you win your case. If you’re ever unable to make it to an appointment, try to reschedule at your earliest convenience. Be sure to let your legal team at Delphin Law Offices know why you had to reschedule!

Don’t Skip any Treatments or Medications

Skipping any treatments after an injury can make it very hard for your body to heal and recover the way it needs to, so follow any of your doctor’s recovery instructions very carefully. Remember to take all of your prescribed medications, attend any physical or emotional therapy sessions and stay out of work and on bedrest for as long as your provider recommends. This is another important way to show initiative in your case, and your personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles, LA, can use this evidence to support your claim in court.

Do Take Plenty of Time to Recover

No matter what kind of injury you’ve sustained, it’s vital that you get plenty of rest after the incident. Don’t push yourself or engage in any strenuous activity until your doctor approves it, and avoid returning to work before your injuries have fully healed. If you’re struggling without a regular paycheck, contact your legal team to learn what options you have.

How To Deal With Long-Term Injuries

Suffering from an injury can be traumatizing. If you wind up having long-term health issues, it is important to understand how to deal with this both from a personal perspective and from a legal perspective. The legal team at Delphin Law Offices can help you find a personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles, LA that can help you navigate this situation.

Present Medical Records to Your Lawyer

If your doctor determines that you will have long-term injuries as a result of your accident, it is imperative that you present your lawyer with these medical documents. A diagnosis of long-term health effects can be an important part of your personal injury case. This type of information can affect the type of case that may need to be filed as well as the amount of compensation you may be eligible for.

Make Your Health a Priority 

Even though a legal case may take up much of your thoughts and time following your accident, it is still very important that you make your health a priority. You should make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and that you give yourself plenty of time for recovery. Your long-term health could be affected by how you treat your recovery time now. 

Plan for Future Medical Care

If it is determined that you will have long-term effects from your accident, you will want to talk with a personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles, LA about future medical care and how this may affect the compensation you are seeking in your case. You may also want to talk with a financial planner to help you better understand how to make provisions for medical care in the future. 

Protect Your Mental Health

Dealing with an injury and legal matters can take a toll on you emotionally. It is vital to your long-term recovery that you protect your mental health. If you feel that your mental health is suffering after your personal injury, you may want to consider talking with a therapist or a counselor. These professionals can help you navigate your feelings, emotions, and reactions. Remember, a personal injury is a traumatic experience. You will need to give yourself time to process that trauma. Having a professional therapist or counselor can help you with the emotional aspect of this experience while a personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles, LA can help with the legal aspects of your situation. 

Navigating life after a personal injury can be challenging. The legal team at Delphin Law Offices can help. 

Call Delphin Law Offices Today

The final and most important thing you should do if you are in an accident while riding your scooter is to seek legal representation. We are here to help you in any conceivable manner. We have your best interests in mind when you come to us with your issue. Do not let insurance companies take away your right to get the help you deserve. Call Delphin Law Offices today to hear more about how a Louisiana personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles can offer guidance during this time.

Personal Injury Lawyer Lake Charles, LA

Our personal injury lawyer that Lake Charles, LA, accident victims rely on will tell you that the process of initiating a personal injury claim may call for assistance from our firm. While various injuries can occur from an accident, they can range in severity. Know that when there has been a breach in the duty of care, victims could be entitled to damages with the assistance of Delphin Law Offices. Our firm will develop the personal injury demand letter while also ensuring that the statute of limitations does not expire. 

Common Injuries in Personal Injury Cases

Chances are, if you are pursuing a personal injury claim, you have experienced injuries that have resulted in medical care, physical impairments, and even financial loss. Whether you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, experienced a car accident, or was in a pedestrian-related accident, you could be suffering from any of the following injuries: 

• Head Trauma
• Fractured Bones
• Strains/Sprains
• Lacerations
• Burns

There are endless ways an injury might occur, and taking legal action may be the best way to begin the process of feeling whole again. You may want to contact our Lake Charles, Louisiana personal injury lawyer when considering what recourse is available to you. 

Understanding the Personal Injury Demand Letter

When you decide to pursue an insurance claim, it can be challenging to know where to start. One key component to initiating the process is to put together a personal injury demand letter. The demand letter outlines your losses, provides evidence supporting your claim, and requests compensation. This typically kicks off the process of negotiating with the insurance company. A lawyer will play a critical role in drafting a strong, well-written demand letter that details the impact the accident has had on you. Additionally, evidence supporting your claim will be a crucial component. Some types of evidence that may strengthen your claim include:

• Medical Documentation
• Photographs
• Eyewitness Statements
• Accident Reports

What you may not realize is that a strategically written demand letter will play a vital role in the outcome of your legal claim. You will want to ensure that nothing is left out and that the compensation you are requesting has been appropriately valued. The last thing you want is to over or underestimate the value of your case. 

Time is of the Essence

When a person has experienced damages in a personal injury accident, it’s important to know that there are specific time frames in place that allow victims to take legal action. This is known as the statute of limitations, and in Louisiana, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is one year. This is a relatively short timeframe, making it imperative that you take immediate action either after the accident or after injuries have been discovered. Waiting too long could result in the statute of limitations expiring, impacting a person’s ability to seek compensation for their losses. 

Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you have been injured in a car accident, the personal and financial impact can be devasting. Not only are you left dealing with the pain while you recover from those injuries, but you also may be watching the medical bills for treatment pile up. Even worse, you are not receiving a paycheck every week because you are unable to work while you recover but have used up all of your sick days and vacation time – but still are too injured yet to return to work.

Fortunately, Louisiana law says you may be entitled to financial compensation in a car accident claim or lawsuit. Unfortunately, dealing with the insurance company of the at-fault driver can be a nightmare. This is where a skilled Lake Charles, LA personal injury lawyer can help.

Insurance companies are notorious for looking for any way possible to minimize the amount of compensation paid to a victim or even try to deny the claim outright. However, the more evidence you have in your case, the harder it is for the insurance company to not negotiate a settlement offer in good faith.

Some of the evidence your personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles, LA can use in car accident claims include:

•       Police reports from the officer who came to the scene of the crash
•       Photos of the accident site that shows the aftermath of the accident, such as skid marks and vehicle damage
•       Video footage from traffic light cameras
•       Video footage from security cameras on nearby buildings
•       Video footage from dash cameras in any vehicles involved in the accident
•       Witness statements
•       Medical reports and doctors’ statements regarding the victim’s injuries

A lawyer can also seek out the testimony of accident reconstruction professionals, forensic experts, and medical specialists to help build the case against the other driver.

All of this evidence together can be used to prove the other driver’s liability for the crash, as well as the extent of the injuries the victim suffered. Putting all of this evidence together often has a profound effect on the insurance company’s ability to try to shift blame onto the victim in their effort to not pay the damages the victim deserves.

This is why the majority of car accident cases are settled out of court through negotiations before the case even goes to trial. Having a skilled Lake Charles, LA personal injury lawyer advocating for you can make all the difference in how successful you are at getting the compensation you are entitled to under the law.

5 Things You Should Know About Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury cases result when someone’s negligence causes an injury to another person. These are some of the things you should know about personal injury cases.

1. Car Accidents Aren’t the Only Kind of Personal Injury Cases

Car accidents result in a large share of the personal injury cases handled by a personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles, LA. However, a personal injury case can result from any incident where a person or entity’s negligence caused another person’s injury. Common examples include slip and fall accidents, defective products, dog bites and wrongful death claims.

2. You Need an Experienced Lawyer

If you have been seriously injured, you may have thousands of dollars in medical bills. You may also miss weeks or even months at work or have a permanent disability. Because of the high stakes involved, it is important to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles, LA. An experienced attorney will be able to appropriately value your claim, negotiate a settlement or help you prove your case in court. 

3. Compensation Can Be Substantial

If you win your personal injury case, you may receive compensation for several types of damages:

• Medical expenses
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

If you have a wrongful death case, you may also receive compensation for:

• Burial and funeral expenses
• Medical expenses of the deceased person
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship or consortium

An attorney at Delphin Law Offices can evaluate your case to give you an idea of how much it is worth and help you pursue the maximum settlement you are owed.

4. Your Case May Take Some Time

If the medical bills are piling up and you have no income because you can’t work, you may be tempted to accept the insurance company’s first offer. However, it is better to discuss the offer with an attorney at Delphin Law Offices before you make a decision. Some cases can be resolved in a few months or less, but others may take a year or longer. Your attorney may be able to help you find ways to cover your expenses while you pursue your case. 

5. Not Every Case Will Go To Trial

Insurance companies usually prefer not to go to court because of the expense involved. Your attorney will work with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement without going to court. However, some cases are not able to be settled and must be resolved through the litigation process. 

Personal Injury Statistics for Lake Charles, Louisiana

Lake Charles definitely leads in personal injury accidents. According to state’s Department of Transportation statistics in Lake Charles:

4,800 crashes per year.
On average 11 of crashes are fatalities
1,343 crashes result in injuries
In 2021, Fatalities increased by 21.5%

Contact Our Office. We Can Help

Pursuing a personal injury settlement either through the claims process or litigation can be highly litigious. For many recovering from an accident, the idea of negotiating a fair settlement can seem overwhelming. This is why it may be in your best interest to contact Delphin Law Offices. Our team of experienced professionals will work tirelessly to keep your interests at the forefront and ensure that you receive the best possible outcome based on your situation. Initiate the process so that you can move forward after the accident by reaching out to our Lake Charles, LA, personal injury lawyer to schedule a consultation.