Did you lose someone you love in a deadly collision? These tragedies happen without any warning, which leaves families in a state of shock and overwhelmed by grief. We know you have many questions, and our car accident lawyer in Lafayette has the answers.
Try not to be too hard on yourself in the days that follow. It’s normal for everything to feel like a blur, but the sooner you call a fatal car accident lawyer in Lafayette, the sooner your attorney can look into the details of your circumstances and take action on your behalf.
At Galloway Jefcoat Injury Attorneys, we believe in Turning Wrong Into Right. Since 1996, our law firm has recovered hundreds of millions in compensation for clients across Louisiana. We’re ready to stand by you when you need someone more than ever.
How Deadly Crashes Happen on Louisiana Roads
From I-10 and Highway 90 to Ambassador Caffery Parkway, fatal crashes happen on every kind of roadway in Acadiana, even quiet residential streets. Aside from the exact location, the causes of these collisions often trace back to preventable behavior.
According to Louisiana State Police crash data, these are some examples of common factors that contribute to fatal car accidents in the area:
- Speeding above posted limits: Excessive speed is one of the leading causes of fatal collisions statewide. When drivers exceed the speed limit or fail to slow down in rain, construction, or heavy traffic, they reduce their ability to react in time to avoid a crash.
- Driving while impaired: Alcohol- and drug-related crashes claim hundreds of lives in Louisiana each year. Even so, it’s illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.
- Operating a vehicle while distracted: Texting on your phone, using navigation apps, and eating behind the wheel divides a driver’s attention. Under Louisiana’s hands-free law, drivers can’t hold a phone while driving, but enforcement remains inconsistent.
- Failing to yield or follow traffic signals: Intersection-related crashes are among the deadliest, particularly when drivers run red lights or make sudden, illegal turns.
Ask any personal injury lawyer in Lafayette, and they will likely tell you that every deadly crash usually stems from someone’s carelessness. This is a decision that sets off an unfortunate chain of irreversible consequences, but we’re here to pursue justice on your behalf.
"I have used Galloway Jefcoat a few times and have always been very satisfied. Furthermore, all of the people who work there are very professional, nice, and courteous."
Who Has the Right to File a Claim After a Fatal Crash?
Louisiana law sets a strict order of who can bring a wrongful death claim. This right is reserved for the following people and parties, in this order:
- The spouse and children of the deceased
- If none exist, then the parents
- If there are no surviving parents, then the siblings
- If there are no siblings, then the grandparents
This hierarchy is laid out in Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2, and it means that extended relatives or partners who aren’t legally married typically can’t file. This is often true, no matter how close their relationship was, which is why you should contact fatal car accident lawyers in Lafayette ASAP.
"Galloway Jefcoat are amazing professionals who are very client focused. They will guide you thru all the details to help get your litigation solved. I was involved in a crash that ultimate required a knee replacement"
Damages Families Can Pursue After a Fatal Accident
Financial recovery can’t undo the loss you experienced, but it can help stabilize your family’s future in the aftermath of your loved one’s death. In the state of Louisiana, wrongful death compensation can include:
- Medical expenses related to the final injuries or hospital stays
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support that the deceased would have contributed
- Loss of household services such as childcare or maintenance
- Loss of companionship and guidance for spouses and children
- Emotional distress experienced by surviving family members
If the victim survived for any period before passing away, a related survival action under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.1 may also apply. This allows recovery for the pain and suffering that the victim endured before dying.
Survival actions are separate from wrongful death claims, though both can arise from the same crash.
"As a client of Galloway Jefcoat for over two years I want to take a minute to say how much I appreciate the team handling my case."
How Insurance Coverage Affects Fatal Crash Cases
Louisiana’s minimum liability insurance requirements—which include $15,000 per person for bodily injury and $30,000 per accident—often fall short in fatal crash cases. When damages exceed those limits, families can pursue claims against additional policies or assets.
Some drivers carry uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which can step in when the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance. UM coverage follows the policyholder, not the vehicle, meaning it may apply even if the victim wasn’t driving their own car.
In cases involving company vehicles or commercial trucks, corporate insurance policies may offer higher limits, but these claims are heavily defended. The sooner your Lafayette fatal car accident lawyer can investigate your case, the sooner you can receive answers.
"Great experience, from day 1 I felt like I finally had someone on my side and that feeling didn't leave me for 1 single moment."
Contact Our Lafayette Fatal Car Accident Law Firm ASAP
Losing a loved one in a deadly crash is one of the hardest experiences a family can face. Life can seem unbearable now that you’re facing such an immense loss. On top of the emotional side of things, there’s also the financial impact, which sometimes feels impossible to carry.
You have every right to feel how you do, no matter if you’re angry, upset, disappointed, or confused. It’s hard to know that a preventable collision caused someone you know to lose their life, but we hope you remember that you don’t have to go through this on your own.
At Galloway Jefcoat Injury Attorneys, we’ve spent decades standing beside families in Louisiana. As your Lafayette fatal car accident lawyers, you can count on us to demand justice and fair compensation for what was taken from you. Reach out to us today.
"Galloway Jefcoat helped me at a time when I felt lost and taken advantage of by my employer."
