Don’t get left holding the bag for someone else’s negligence. A knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney can help you successfully navigate the recovery process’s maze of obstacles. Fortunately, if you’re looking for skilled lawyers, you’ve come to the right place.
A Full-Service Personal Injury Practice With a Reputation for Results
At Scott Vicknair, LLC, our personal injury lawyers provide comprehensive legal representation for Pelican State accident and injury victims. We handle a wide range of personal injury cases. We achieve results through a winning combination of experience, skill, and hard work. When you hire our firm to represent you, our distinguished attorneys will immediately start working on your case. We’ll thoroughly investigate the accident or incident in question—gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, subpoenaing records, and consulting with experts—to build a strong case for damages. Depending on the circumstances of your case, we may be able to help you recover compensation for:
- Related medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Property damages
- Pain and suffering
- Other losses
Establishing Fault
Determining fault in an accident is a complex process, so it is wise to hire lawyers from Scott Vicknair, LLC. Here are a few ways to establish fault in an accident.
- Gather Information: The first thing you must do is gather as much information as possible about the accident. This includes obtaining the names, contact details, and statements of all parties involved, as well as any witnesses. Take note of the location, date, and time of the accident. Collecting this information promptly ensures accuracy and prevents the loss of critical details.
- Assess the Accident Scene: Visit the accident scene if possible or examine it through photographs. Look for any physical evidence such as skid marks, debris, or damaged property. Analyze the road conditions, weather, and lighting at the time of the accident. These details can provide valuable insights into what happened and who may be at fault.
- Review Police Reports: If the police were called to the accident scene, obtain a copy of the police report. This report often contains an officer’s assessment of the accident, including statements from involved parties and witnesses. While police reports are not definitive proof of fault, they provide a useful starting point for investigation.
- Talk to Witnesses: New Orleans accident injury trial lawyers may advise you to contact witnesses and ask them about their observations of the accident. Obtain detailed statements and ask them to describe what they saw from their perspective. Their accounts can corroborate or challenge the version of events provided by the parties involved.
- Consult with Experts: In more complex cases, it may be necessary to consult with experts such as accident reconstruction specialists or forensic analysts. These professionals can analyze the available evidence, including vehicle damage, skid marks, and other factors, to provide an expert opinion on how the accident occurred and who may be at fault.
- Consider Traffic Laws and Regulations: Familiarize yourself with the traffic laws and regulations in the jurisdiction where the accident occurred. Evaluate whether any violations, such as speeding, failure to yield, or running a red light, contributed to the accident. Violations of traffic laws can help establish fault.
- Determine Negligence: Negligence plays a crucial role in determining fault. Assess whether any party involved failed to exercise reasonable care, leading to the accident. This could include actions such as distracted driving, aggressive behavior, or failure to follow traffic signals. Negligence is a key factor in assigning fault in many accidents.
- Insurance Coverage and Policies: Insurance policies often contain provisions that outline how fault is determined in accidents. Review the policies of all parties involved to understand how liability is allocated. However, keep in mind that insurance determinations are not legally binding and may differ from legal fault determinations.
- Consult Legal Professionals: If the accident involves significant injuries, property damage, or complex legal issues, it is advisable to consult with an attorney specializing in personal injury or accident cases. Legal professionals can guide you through the process, provide legal advice, and represent your interests if necessary.
While each accident is unique, there are several common types of injuries that individuals may sustain. These injuries can vary in severity, from minor bruises and sprains to more severe fractures and head trauma.
Common Accident Injuries
One of the most common types of accident injuries is cuts and lacerations. These injuries occur when the skin is punctured or sliced by a sharp object. Common examples include knife cuts, broken glass injuries, or even injuries caused by jagged metal edges. Cuts and lacerations can range from superficial wounds that require simple first aid to deeper cuts that may necessitate stitches or even surgery.
Sprains & Strains
Another common type of injury is sprains and strains. These injuries typically occur when ligaments or muscles are stretched or torn due to sudden or excessive force. Sprains commonly affect the ankles, while strains often occur in the back or neck. They can result from slips, falls, or sudden movements. The severity of sprains and strains can vary, with mild cases requiring rest and home remedies, while severe cases may require physical therapy or even surgical intervention.
Fractures
Fractures are another injury that lawyers see in their clients. They involve the breaking or cracking of bones and can result from falls, car accidents, or sports-related incidents. Fractures can vary in severity from hairline cracks to complete breaks, and may require casting, splinting, or in severe cases, surgical procedures to realign and stabilize the bones. Common fractures include wrist fractures, ankle fractures, and hip fractures, each with its own unique challenges and treatment methods.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are a major concern in accidents, especially those involving falls, vehicle collisions, or contact sports. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. Even seemingly minor head injuries should not be taken lightly, as they can have long-term consequences. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness. Prompt medical evaluation is crucial to assess the extent of the injury and determine appropriate treatment or management strategies.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common injury in car accidents, particularly rear-end collisions. It occurs when the neck experiences a sudden back-and-forth motion, causing strain to the neck muscles and ligaments. Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and reduced range of motion. Treatment often involves rest, physical therapy, and pain management techniques.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Finally, soft tissue injuries such as bruises, contusions, and abrasions are common in accidents. These injuries occur due to blunt force trauma and often result in pain, swelling, and discoloration of the affected area. While they are generally less severe than other injuries, proper care and monitoring are still necessary to prevent complications such as infection or tissue damage.
How Compensation Can Help
You may think that your insurance can cover the cost of your medical care, but there are many cases in which your insurance provider pays too little, too late. Insurance companies often turn a profit by sitting on money for as long as possible while they generate interest, and that’s completely unacceptable in an emergency situation.
A lawyer can help you battle your insurance provider to ensure you get paid enough, and on time. But a personal injury lawyer can also fight on your behalf to hold whoever was responsible for your injuries accountable for his or her actions. Financial damages are useful for covering what insurance won’t, and the money can be extra helpful if you’ve had to miss out on work and collecting paychecks as usual.
Reach out to Scott Vicknair Today
At Scott Vicknair, we understand that personal injuries can cause serious long term issues, and we believe that if your injuries were caused by someone else, you’re the last person who should be paying out of pocket. Get in touch with us today and see how an attorney from our office can help you move forward with your claim.
