Articles Posted in Personal Injury

new orleans potholeLouisiana road conditions are ranked among some of the worst in the United States. This is especially true in New Orleans, where potholes are nearly unavoidable. A ride through the city can be very bumpy, and it may ultimately put a dent in your wallet.

Flat tires, rim damage, punctured exhaust pipes, broken axles, alignment problems and other damage to the body of the vehicle are just a few ways in which hitting a pothole can damage your automobile. A study done by the American Automobile Association revealed that potholes cost American drivers roughly $3 billion in vehicle repairs annually.

mri scanBetween traveling to and from work, running errands, taking road trips, and shuffling the kids around, we spend more time in our vehicle than we may realize. Because of this, motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries in the United States.

If you are lucky, you may walk away from the accident with just some scrapes and bruises. But some symptoms may be delayed. For the first few days or weeks, you may not be in any pain at all. However, this does not mean you were not seriously injured. Once the adrenaline has worn off and time has passed, hidden injuries may become noticeable. Because delayed injuries can be dangerous, it is always important to see a physician as soon as possible after an accident.

louisiana gavelIn Louisiana, uninsured/ underinsured motorist insurance (UM/ UIM) follows the person, not the vehicle. So, if you have UM/ UIM coverage and are involved in a motor vehicle accident where the at fault driver is not insured, you will be covered even if you are not in your own vehicle, or any vehicle at all! But, there may be an exclusion in your UM/ UIM policy which could limit your insurance company’s liability.

The “regular use” exclusion contained in many policies excludes an insurance company from liability when an insured driver uses another vehicle they do not own and is not named on their policy, but which they use regularly. The term “regular use” may apply to a vehicle provided to you by your employer for regular transportation to and from work and for everyday work duties.

balance billingThere are very few individuals who can afford their healthcare entirely out of pocket. This is why a majority of people utilize health insurance which pays for most of the care. If your medical provider is an in-network provider and accepts the insurance you carry, you are guaranteed to be paying much less than if you were not covered.

But what happens when you receive a bill in the mail for services that you believed were covered by your insurance? This typically occurs when you have a motor vehicle accident and go to your family doctor using your health insurance to pay for the visit. Your health insurance company pays for most of your care, but then the doctor sends you a bill for the uncovered portion. Is that legal?

women driving carIn an instant, you or a loved one may find themselves in the unfortunate situation of being involved in an automobile accident. But, did you know that women are more likely to be injured or killed as a result of these accidents.

A new study done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that women are much more likely to suffer a serious injury in a car accident than men. While men are involved in more deadly crashes than women, women are 20-28 percent more likely to be killed on a per- crash basis. They are also 37-73 percent more likely to be seriously injured after speed and other considerations are factored in.

mardi grasEach 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.

insurance claim deniedAfter 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:

injury after accidentImagine 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.

neck injuryWhen 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.

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