Few car accidents are as terrifying as a head-on collision. If you’ve experienced such a crash, you could be battling major injuries that will impact you for weeks or months to come. That might mean expensive medical bills and long periods away from work.
It’s tough enough to pay the physical price for an accident that wasn’t even your fault. You shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial burden as well. Our Lafayette head-on collision lawyers can help you get the compensation you need to pay your bills and begin to reclaim your life.
At Galloway Jefcoat Injury Attorneys, our Lafayette car accident lawyers have been advocating for the rights of injured accident victims since 1996. Contact us today for a free consultation to find out how we can help.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
After your accident, the insurance company representing the at-fault party may contact you with a settlement offer they claim will cover your damages. They might even try to persuade you not to hire an attorney. The truth is, it is rarely a good idea to handle a personal injury claim on your own.
Insurance companies aren’t on your side. They’re businesses with bottom lines to consider, and if they can get away with paying less for your claim, you can bet they will. They may offer settlements much less than you deserve, hoping you don’t understand what your case is worth.
They also have skilled lawyers who get paid to make sure their interests are represented against injured accident victims like you. Our Lafayette personal injury lawyers can put you on equal footing with powerful insurance companies and fight to get fair compensation.
"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."
How Our Attorneys Can Help
Working with a personal injury lawyer usually gives you the best chance at recovering maximum compensation. While each case is unique, some ways our Lafayette head-on collision attorneys can assist include:
- Offering experienced legal advice and guidance
- Investigating your accident to find out what happened and who is liable
- Assessing your damages to ensure we account for all of your hardships
- Filing your claim and handling your case
- Negotiating with insurance companies for a settlement
- Representing you in court if necessary
We also bill on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. We’ll investigate your accident, file your claim, and advocate on your behalf. You don’t pay a dime until we win your case. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
"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"
Important Steps After a Head-On Collision Accident
The aftermath of a crash is a difficult time, but your actions in the days and hours that follow can impact your case. Some things to remember include:
Get to the Doctor
Even if you think you’re okay, it’s important to get medical treatment after your accident. Violent crashes like head-on collisions can result in serious injuries with delayed symptoms, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). Get checked out by a doctor to make sure you are healthy.
Visiting a doctor and complying with their directions also helps your legal standing by creating a record of your condition and showing you take your injuries seriously. Your medical records may be important evidence.
Contact an Attorney
It’s smart to contact an attorney as soon as possible when you are injured in an accident. Preferably, you’ll want to consult with a lawyer before the at-fault party’s insurance company has a chance to contact you.
Some insurance companies may use unscrupulous tactics to deny or delay your claim. Getting a lawyer involved early protects your rights.
File an Accident Report
If police arrived at the scene of your accident, they would have completed an accident report. If they didn’t, in Louisiana, you are legally required to report any accident involving injuries to the police immediately.
An accident report is another piece of evidence in your favor, showing the at-fault party caused your damages. Your attorney can refer to it as part of their accident investigation and in proving your claim.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Provider
Louisiana is an at-fault state, meaning the at-fault driver must pay your damages. Even so, you’ll still need to report the accident to your insurance company. Follow your attorney’s advice to make sure your rights are protected during the process.
Keep Records of Everything
When you keep receipts and invoices that show expenses you’ve paid or owe because of the accident, you make it easier for your attorney to understand the full extent of your financial hardships. Keep copies of medical bills, car repairs, and any other costs you’ve incurred.
You can write down your version of how the accident happened while it is still fresh in your mind. Our head-on collision lawyers in Lafayette will investigate to determine how the crash occurred and who is responsible, but your account is helpful in the process.
You may also want to keep notes on how the collision has impacted your and your family’s lives. This can help demonstrate non-economic damages like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life.
Safeguard Your Information
Keep the details of your case to yourself, especially on social media. You may say you’re okay so that your friends and family don’t worry, but insurance company investigators who monitor your accounts could try to use your innocent comments against you.
Insurance representatives may call and ask how you are doing. It seems like they’re concerned, but they’re really fishing for comments they can use to attempt to prove you aren’t as hurt as you say you are.
"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."
Get Help from a Lafayette Head-On Collision Attorney
A head-on collision can leave your life in ruins, with serious injuries and mounting debts. According to Louisiana’s at-fault insurance regulations, the liable party’s insurance provider is supposed to help you, but they may seem to be operating on a different agenda.
Our Lafayette head-on collision attorneys at Galloway Jefcoat Injury Attorneys can help you hold the negligent driver accountable and get the compensation you need.
Contact us today and schedule a free consultation to tell us what happened.
"Galloway Jefcoat helped me at a time when I felt lost and taken advantage of by my employer."
