Prairieville Car Accident Lawyer

Prairieville Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents can have an immense impact on your life, even when they are seemingly minor. Even minor accidents could cause serious injuries and emotional trauma. Many drivers take appropriate care on the road, but some do not. It’s important to know what to do after a car accident and how an experienced Prairieville car accident lawyer can help you financially recover from a crash.

Fighting for Results After a Car Accident in Prairieville

A car accident can leave you with costly injuries, the inability to work for days or weeks, and numerous emotional challenges. When someone else was to blame for the accident, you shouldn’t have to be responsible for these costs. At Knightshead Law Firm, we have spent more than 15 years helping injured individuals get the compensation they need in insurance and civil claims. We understand how stressful this situation is, and we want to support you.

What Is Important to Understand About Car Accidents?

Vehicle accidents frequently result in injuries and many other damages, and are one of the most common reasons for personal injury claims. In rural Ascension, including Prairieville, there were sadly 19 fatalities in vehicle accidents in 2024. There were also 1,189 suspected injuries in collisions and 923 individuals with no apparent injuries.

In Louisiana, the at-fault driver is held responsible for the damages in an accident. Other drivers and passengers who were injured in the crash can file with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to recover their financial and personal losses. If multiple parties are at fault, then each party is liable for their percentage of the damages. This can make claims more complicated, but it can also help injured individuals secure the maximum damages possible.

The Role of Insurance

An insurance company for other drivers in the accident may offer you compensation immediately after the crash. You should not accept this or sign anything. In Louisiana, each vehicle is required to have 15/30/25 liability limits. Those limits provide payments of $15,000 for bodily injury to one person, $30,000 for bodily injury to more than one person in a single accident, and $25,000 coverage for damage to someone else’s vehicle or other property. These insurance providers want to pay you less than you are owed to limit their liability.

They are taking advantage of the stress of an accident and the fact that you likely have a lot of costs you need to cover. Talk with an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you assess the true value of your damages.

What Do You Do After a Car Accident?

After a crash, you should immediately report the accident, get medical care, and file a report with the onsite officer. This protects your physical health and improves the chances of a successful claim for damages.

• The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office District 3 headquarters is located in Prairieville, at 38567 Highway 42, and their non-emergency number is (225) 621-8800.
• The Gonzales Police Department is located at 415 E. Cornerview Road, and their non-emergency number is (225) 647-7511.

You will want to secure a copy of the accident report for your claim. Where you go to secure it will depend on the officer who was at the scene of the accident.

What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents?

Most car accidents are caused by the negligence of one or more drivers. For example, drivers may be distracted by their phones or others in the vehicle. There were 746 vehicle crashes in Ascension Parish that involved a distracted driver. Most of these were inattentive drivers. Speeding, reckless driving, and other negligent actions can also cause an accident and make the driver liable.

Drivers can also be liable for an accident due to misconduct, such as driving under the influence. Alcohol was a contributing factor in several crashes in Ascension Parish in 2024 and was disproportionately responsible for fatal crashes. Alcohol was involved in 3.15% of property damage-only crashes and 7.31% of suspected injury crashes. In comparison, alcohol was involved in 43.48% of all fatal crashes in the parish. Refusing a breath test can also have serious legal consequences in Louisiana.

The cause of the accident can point to which party or parties are at fault. An attorney helps conduct a thorough investigation to determine cause and fault.

FAQs About Car Accident Law in Prairieville,LA

What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Louisiana?

Every car accident settlement in Louisiana is unique and relies on the specific damages the filing party sustained. You will not be able to know the value of your claim by looking at the average of other claims, as your damages may be valued much higher or much lower than this average. When you are more seriously injured, you are likely to need much higher compensation to cover those losses. An attorney can help you assess your damages.

How Long After a Car Accident Can You File a Claim in Louisiana?

There is a set period of time after a car accident during which you can file a civil claim in Prairieville, Louisiana. This time limit could vary depending on the parish and the specifics of your case. If you miss the deadline, you cannot recover compensation. Insurance claims need to be filed much sooner, usually as soon as you are able after a crash. When you work with an attorney, they can help you meet these deadlines.

What Are Most Lawyers’ Fees for a Car Accident?

Most lawyer fees for representation in a car accident claim are contingency fees. A contingency fee is a percentage of the final settlement or verdict. The attorney doesn’t charge upfront attorney’s fees and only gets paid if they successfully secure a settlement. The exact amount of the contingency fee will vary. Most attorneys will charge one percent for a settlement and then increase the amount if the case goes to court. Always ask about fees upfront.

What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring an Accident Attorney?

There are several common mistakes you should avoid when hiring an attorney, including:

• Failing to review the attorney’s licensure, credentials, and professional reputation
• Hiring an attorney who guarantees a big payout
• Hiring an attorney for their low attorney fees
• Failing to hire an attorney with experience in your specific type of case
• Failing to look at several potential options for an injury attorney
• Failing to ask questions about fees and the potential case timeline

Defending Your Financial Interests and Your Rights

It is much easier to manage a car accident claim with legal representation. Knightshead Law Firm helps assess your claim, calculate your damages, investigate the crash, and negotiate with the insurer. We fight for the maximum compensation that you are owed with a robust legal strategy. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and see how we can help you.