Understanding how auto insurance in Louisiana works is important, especially if you are involved in a car accident. You may need to file an insurance claim to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you find yourself in this situation, a Lafayette car accident lawyer at Kenny Habetz Injury Law can help. Our team has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of personal injury victims. We know how to stand up to aggressive insurers and protect our clients’ rights.
For legal advice after a crash in Lafayette, LA, contact our law office to schedule a free consultation, or call us at (337) 399-9000.
How Our Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You With an Insurance Claim
A skilled Louisiana car accident attorney can significantly improve your odds of recovering compensation after a collision. At Kenny Habetz Injury Law, we have over a decade of experience representing victims in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Our personal injury team will do the following to help you:
- Investigate the cause of your car accident
- Gather accident reports, medical records, and other evidence
- Evaluate which parties may be liable for your accident
- Retain expert witnesses to strengthen your case
- File car insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits, if necessary
- Negotiate insurance settlements for maximum compensation
- Take your case to court if we cannot settle for a fair amount
Schedule a free initial consultation with our Lafayette personal injury lawyer if you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident.
Louisiana Car Insurance Requirements
Louisiana law requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. This covers injuries and property damage a driver may be responsible for after an accident.
The minimum coverage limits are:
- $15,000 for bodily injury per person
- $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
These are the legal minimum, and it is generally recommended for drivers to opt for higher limits when possible. This can protect you financially if you cause a car accident.
Is Louisiana a Fault or No-Fault State?
Louisiana follows an at-fault system for car insurance. This means that the driver found responsible for causing the accident is liable for covering the other party’s damages. This differs from no-fault states, where each driver must rely on their own insurance coverage for compensation, regardless of who caused the accident.
In Louisiana, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy is typically the first source of compensation for the injured party.
Their liability insurance may cover a range of damages, including:
- Medical expenses: This includes costs for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and other treatments required to address accident-related injuries.
- Property damage: This includes costs for repairing or replacing damaged vehicles and other property affected in the crash.
- Lost wages: This includes lost or diminished income if injuries keep someone out of work while recovering from the accident.
- Non-economic damages: This includes compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other impacts on your quality of life caused by the accident.
A Lafayette car accident attorney will evaluate all damages you may be entitled to under Louisiana law.
What If the At-Fault Party Doesn’t Have Enough Insurance Coverage?
The at-fault driver may not have sufficient insurance coverage to compensate you after an accident. Louisiana’s state minimum of just $15,000 for bodily injury liability may not be enough to cover medical bills if you suffer serious injuries.
You will typically have two options if the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage is inadequate:
- File a lawsuit against the at-fault driver: You can file a personal injury claim against the other driver to recover your remaining damages. However, they may not have enough personal assets to cover the shortfall and fully compensate you.
- Rely on your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: You may have UM/UIM coverage as part of your car insurance policy. This coverage can protect you when an at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient or nonexistent.
Our car accident lawyer in Lafayette will evaluate your case to identify all potential sources of compensation.
What If I’m Partly Responsible for My Car Accident in Louisiana?
Louisiana operates under a pure comparative negligence system. This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for a car accident, your compensation for damages will be reduced by your share of fault.
For example, if you are awarded $50,000 in damages but are found to be 20 percent at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 20 percent to $40,000.
This underscores the importance of accurately determining fault after a car accident. Insurance companies and lawyers will scrutinize the details of an accident to attribute fault among the parties. This will directly impact the compensation you or a loved one may receive.
Contact Kenny Habetz Injury Law For a Free Consultation With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer in Lafayette
Having adequate car insurance coverage can help you prepare for the unexpected. If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident in Lafayette, Kenny Habetz Injury Law can help you navigate the process of filing a claim or personal injury lawsuit for compensation.
Our Lafayette personal injury attorney can help you present a demand for damages and negotiate for fair compensation. Schedule a free consultation today if you or a loved one has been injured.
