FAQ About Personal Injury Accidents
Answers you can trust from New Orleans attorney John S. Williams
You want answers after a serious personal injury accident. If someone caused an accident that hurt you or a loved one, you want to know your rights and the legal options available to your family. Finding accurate information can be a challenge. One person might tell you one thing. Someone else might say something completely different. Where can you turn? Who can you trust?
At The Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC, you can find the answers you need from someone you can count on. New Orleans personal injury lawyer John S. Williams has more than 15 years of legal experience. Respected for his knowledge and his commitment to clients, attorney Williams provides compassionate legal representation to people who truly need his help. He knows how the legal system works in Louisiana. He is a strong advocate for social justice and civil rights. He’s the lawyer you want when your future is on the line.
What is your personal injury question?
Below, you can find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about personal injury accidents. No legal jargon. Just straightforward advice in language you can understand.
Attorney Williams knows the answers to these complex questions because he has dedicated his legal career to fighting for the rights of people dealing with severe injuries sustained in serious accidents.
He understands that no two accidents are exactly alike. Each one is unique. That’s why he takes the time to find out exactly what happened in each case. That’s why he wants to meet with you as soon as possible. During your free case evaluation, attorney Williams can answer any questions you might have about your potential legal case and offer advice on what the best course of action is. Discover what a dedicated New Orleans personal injury lawyer can do for you. Contact our law firm.
- What is a personal injury accident?
- What are common types of personal injury accidents?
- How does the personal injury claim process work?
- Should I accept a settlement offer for my personal injury claim?
- How much is my personal injury claim worth?
- What can I be compensated for if I’m hurt in a personal injury accident?
- Can I file a lawsuit for my personal injury accident?
- How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana?
- Will my personal injury case go to trial?
- Why should I hire a personal injury lawyer?
What is a personal injury accident?
Personal injury is a legal term used to describe an accident caused by someone else’s reckless or negligent behavior. In many cases, injury victims can file a claim for financial compensation for their accident-related injuries. Successfully filing a personal injury claim can be a very complicated legal process. That’s why it’s important to discuss any potential claim with an experienced personal injury attorney.
What are common types of personal injury accidents?
Personal injury accidents can cover a wide range of injury accidents caused by someone else’s actions or negligence. Some of the most common – and most serious – personal injury accidents include:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Premises liability cases
- Negligent security injuries
- Swimming pool accidents
- Hotel accidents
- Restaurant accidents
If a fatality occurs because of a personal injury accident, such cases are often referred to as wrongful death cases since family members often need to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit to obtain the necessary financial compensation.
How does the personal injury claim process work?
There are many steps involved in the personal injury claim process. You will need to prove that your injury accident occurred due to someone else’s actions or inaction. You will also need to demonstrate that you sustained your injury in that specific accident. As a result, you should have a doctor or medical professional examine you right away after your accident. That way, you can show that you sustained an injury in an accident. You will also need to file a claim with an insurance company or take legal action to obtain financial compensation for your injury-related expenses. Either way, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you throughout the personal injury claim process.
Should I accept a settlement offer for my personal injury claim?
While it may be tempting to accept a personal injury settlement claim, you should carefully consider accepting such an offer, especially soon after your accident. Many times, insurance companies make settlement claim offers which might seem fair at first. These offers rarely cover all your accident-related expenses. Your injury may require additional medical treatment or extensive physical therapy in the future. These expenses may not be included in your settlement offer, and once you agree to accept an offer, you often cannot ask for any additional money in the future. An experienced attorney can review your settlement claim offer with you and help you decide what the right thing to do is.
How much is my personal injury claim worth?
There is no set dollar amount when it comes to personal injury claims. Some cases may be worth several thousand dollars. Others may be worth millions. The difference can depend on several different factors, including the severity of your injury, the length of your recovery and if any property was damaged in your accident. A personal injury lawyer can review the details of your case and provide an estimate on how much your claim could be worth.
What can I be compensated for if I’m hurt in a personal injury accident?
You should be compensated for all your accident-related expenses. In many cases, insurance companies only consider expenses immediately after an accident. Your settlement claim or verdict should take into account all expenses, including any in the future. As a result, expenses can include a wide range of items, including:
- Emergency medical care
- Ambulance fees
- Diagnostic medical testing
- Surgical procedures
- Follow-up doctor’s appointments
- Physical therapy
- Replacement income during recovery
- Lost future income, if you cannot return to work
- Property damage, if applicable
- Pain and suffering, in certain circumstances
- Funeral expenses, if a loved one died in the accident
Can I file a lawsuit for my personal injury accident?
Yes. You have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit to be financially compensated for your accident-related expenses. People decide to file a lawsuit since their personal injury claim was denied. Other times, it’s because an insurance company has made a lowball offer and refuses to negotiate. In either case, you should talk with a personal injury attorney about whether filing a lawsuit could be the best way to get the money you deserve for all your accident-related expenses.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a very tight deadline when it comes to filing a personal injury lawsuit. By law, you only have one year from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit or take other legal action. If you miss that one-year deadline, you could miss out on your only opportunity to obtain the financial compensation you need and deserve for your injury-related accident.
Will my personal injury case go to trial?
If you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit or take other legal action, your case could potentially go to trial. In many cases, attorneys representing the insurance company you are taking legal action against may present a settlement offer to avoid having your case go to trial. Your attorney should be prepared to go to trial if necessary, to demand the financial compensation you rightfully deserve.
New Orleans personal injury lawyer John S. Williams prepares each case he handles as if it will go to trial. He has extensive courtroom experience and thoroughly understands how the legal process works in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana.
Why should I hire a personal injury lawyer?
Obtaining financial compensation after a personal injury accident can be very challenging. Insurance companies are often reluctant to pay injury victims and their families. They often hire teams of attorneys to defend their actions. By having a personal injury lawyer on your side, you can level the playing field and make sure your case receives the attention you rightfully deserve, whether it’s negotiating a settlement claim on your behalf or fighting for your rights in court if you filed a personal injury lawsuit.
New Orleans personal injury attorney John S. Williams understands how complicated these cases can be for injury victims and their families. That’s why he thoroughly investigates each case and finds the facts needed to build the strongest possible legal case. You can count on attorney Williams when it matters most. Contact our New Orleans law firm today.