Each year, Mardi Gras attracts millions of visitors to the Big Easy. It is one of the city’s largest holidays and generates millions of dollars for New Orleans. But, with the massive crowds, rowdy celebrations, and significant alcohol consumption, an accident seems almost inevitable.
So, what happens if you are involved in an accident during the course of a parade?
It can feel overwhelming dealing with the insurance company after an accident. But, the first step in receiving compensation after an accident is to file a claim with the insurance company, so communicating with them is inevitable.
After carefully reviewing your claim, the adjuster assigned to your case will then pay out your claim or deny it. If your claim is denied, there are many reasons why the insurance company did so, which may include:
Imagine one minute you are on your way home from work or just running some errands, and the next thing you know you hear a crashing sound and feel yourself being forcefully flung around in your vehicle.
After an accident, you may be suffering from a devastating injury that can render you unable to return to work for a couple weeks, months, years, or worst of all, forever. Lost wages, loss of earning capacity and outrageous medical expenses can leave you and your family in a terrible financial situation.
When you are involved in a car accident, the injuries you sustain can vary depending on the severity of the accident. At first, you may only notice some bumps and bruises and consider yourself lucky. But, delayed symptoms arising days or weeks following an accident can be much more serious.
Sometimes after an accident, you are left in shock and your adrenaline is pumping. Your body is likely producing excess endorphins, which is keeping your from recognizing the pain your injuries have caused. Once the endorphins begin to subside, the pain may become more evident. It may also be possible that internal injuries that later appear are worsening over time. Therefore, it is important to stay alert after an accident.
New Orleans thrives off of tourism. Millions of people visit the city each year to enjoy the unique music, exquisite cuisine, beautiful architecture, culture, festivals, and particularly Mardi Gras parades. But, what if one of those tourists suffer an injury during their visit?
Unfortunately, many visitors can be involved in an accident while on vacation. Not only does it put a damper on your vacation plans, an accident can also have long term effects such as life changing injuries and outstanding medical bills. The most common injuries include pedestrian accidents, vehicle accidents, and slip and falls in hotels, restaurants, or bars.
When asked if they would like to purchase insurance for their rental vehicle, many drivers simply decline. No one really expects to be involved in a collision for the short time they are renting a vehicle, so they hope for the best and walk away with the relief of dodging extra expenses.
But, what happens if you get in a car accident while driving a rental? Or even worse, what happens if the driver of a rental vehicle was uninsured? Many people believe that just because the rental company owns the vehicle, that company will be liable for any damage, but this is not the case. You are not off the hook just because you do not own the vehicle or do not have coverage.
When you are involved in a car accident, it is usually the fault of another driver who was not paying attention or was driving carelessly. But, what if you were involved in an intentional accident? One might think to themselves, “why would anyone purposely cause a car accident?” However, the sad reality is that staged car accidents are much more common than you may want to believe.
Individuals who cause staged car accidents are only looking to make a personal injury claim and get a quick check by scamming the insurance company. These types of accidents have caused auto insurance premiums to skyrocket. Insurance companies are having to spend billions of dollars to payout claims for staged accidents.
Car crashes and other types of accidents can and do cause injuries. However, the severity of those injuries can vary. A victim may suffer a minor, serious, or catastrophic injury. For example, a victim may walk away from an accident with some minor cuts and bruises, or may have a broken leg that the doctor expects will fully heal. Or, a victim may be in an accident that causes damages to the spinal cord and is so severe that it leads to quadriplegia.
So, what is considered a “catastrophic” injury?
If you have sustained any personal injuries or property damage after a car accident, it is best to seek the help of an experienced attorney. Meeting with your attorney after an accident may be nerve-wracking, but your initial consultation is an important step in bringing a personal injury claim. This meeting gives your attorney the insight needed on how to best advance your claim. You should never hold back any information because it is crucial that your attorney knows everything about the incident, as well as your personal history.
To best prepare for your meeting, you should bring any and all documentation you have regarding the accident. These materials may include:
If you have ever been involved in an accident, you know a million things begin to run through your head at the time of the incident. You may start to panic, reach for your phone to call for help, check to make sure everyone is okay, or begin observing any damage to your vehicle. So, seeking proper medical treatment after an accident may seem like an added layer of stress to an already difficult situation. However, medical records are a key piece of evidence in personal injury cases and can ultimately make or break your case.
In the event you were injured in an accident, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. If your injuries do not require emergency and immediate medical attention, it is highly encouraged that you visit a doctor within a day or two of the accident. The more time you allow to elapse between the accident and your first doctor visit, the less credible the insurance company will believe you to be. Waiting days, weeks, or even months to see a doctor allows insurance adjusters to think that you were not seriously injured or injured at all. This may result in them denying you compensation.
Louisiana Injury Lawyers Blog