Louisiana Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents in Louisiana are handled differently than elsewhere in the country. Louisiana is a “comparative fault” state – which means, in Louisiana, fault needs to be established. This is often the first major hurdle after any car accident. While the other driver may have acknowledged they caused the accident at the scene, they turn around accuse you of causing the accident when talking to their insurance company! Louisiana Law states that if you are found to be partially at fault for an accident, the amount of damages you recover is reduced by the percentage of your fault. A lawyer can help establish that the other driver caused the accident.

If the insurance company does accept responsibility, you will then need to work with an insurance adjuster. Don’t deal with the insurance company yourself. These adjusters are hired for one reason – to pay you as little as possible. First, they will offer you a fast settlement for a little money – usually $1,000 to $5,000. If this doesn’t work, they will continue to offer you as little as possible. Injury victims are at a major disadvantage because they often have no way of determining what their case is worth. At the very least, give us a call and take advantage of our free evaluation. We will be happy to give you an idea of what you actually deserve.

According to Louisiana Law, you have one year from the date of accident to file a lawsuit. However, we recommend starting as soon as possible after the accident. This allows time to secure any available video footage, interview witnesses, investigate the accident scene, etc.

NO FEE, UNLESS WE WIN.

Most car accident attorneys work under a “retainer agreement” in which the client agrees to pay a percentage of their settlement / judgment at the conclusion of the case. This way, you never have to come out-of-pocket for your attorney. We work the same way. We get paid when you get paid. However, unlike other car accident attorneys, we promise to never to charge more than you receive, with few exceptions.

The length of your case depends on a few factors: (1) the severity of your injuries; (2) how quickly the insurance company responds; (3) whether we need to go to court. Typically, a minor to moderate accident that only involves “soft tissue” injuries can be resolved in a matter of months. However, we have seen cases require a year or more of litigation to obtain a fair result.

The goal is to get you what you deserve. Often times we are able accomplish this through settlement. However, there are times, such as in liability disputes or when the insurance company refuses to negotiate, where a court needs to get involved. Don’t fret if this happens. Our attorneys are skilled in the courtroom and will protect your interests.

However, it is important to remember – your case is over once you settle. There is no coming back or changing your mind. Make sure you are happy with your settlement before you sign ANYTHING.

The value of your case is based on the facts of the case, your injury, and the accident. Therefore, we cannot provide a “calculator” or tell you exactly what to expect as every case is different. However, we did write an article on what damages are typically included.

In rare instances, such as when the other driver is convicted of a DUI/DWI, you may be able to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are in addition to the general and specific damages typically awarded and serve as a means to punish bad behavior.

Why Hire Us?

Attorney Max Malvin sets himself apart by providing a personalized experience to his car accident clients. There is obviously no shortage of car accident attorneys willing to take your case but most will treat you like any other client. This is what sets Malvin Law apart. We strive to know every detail of your case as well as your motivations, ideas, and desired outcome.

Attorney Malvin has handled hundreds of car accident cases and has developed relationships with doctors and specialists to ensure that his clients receive the treatment they need and deserve. Let him put his experience and relationships to work for you!