Not all brain injuries are caused by striking the head during an accident. Many New Orleans personal injury accidents result in brain injuries even though there is no physical impact to the victim’s head during the accident. These brain injuries occur because the head of the victim is rapidly jerked during a violent collision. Because an actual impact with the head is not necessary for brain injury to occur, anyone who has been involved in a collision should be on the lookout for the symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Unfortunately, spotting TBI is not always as easy as it sounds. While some possible symptoms – such as vertigo, seizures, muscle spasms, and lack of strength or coordination in the extremities – may be readily apparent, other potential symptoms take many different forms and can be very subtle. These more difficult to detect symptoms can include memory loss, headaches,…Read More
Determining the value of injuries in a New Orleans personal injury lawsuit can be very difficult for the parties involved. This is especially true in the case of serious and permanent injuries, where no amount of financial compensation can return the injured person’s life to normal. When determining the value of a personal injury, some damages – such as the costs associated with prior medical treatment and loss of income – are easy to calculate. Others, such as the value of pain and suffering, are very subjective and can be extremely difficult to place a dollar amount on. Matters can become even more complicated if an injury is long term or permanent. In such cases, you must consider potential future medical costs and future lost wages and attach a dollar value to them. While it may be possible to accurately project some of the future expenses, proving them is obviously…Read More
Motor vehicle accidents involving drunk drivers are all too common in the New Orleans area. Because of the obvious danger that drinking and driving poses to innocent drivers, Louisiana has enacted special laws that take effect when a personal injury lawsuit involves a drunk driver. These provisions are designed to protect individuals hurt by drunk drivers and impose additional penalties upon such drivers. When a person is injured by a driver intoxicated or impaired by alcohol or drugs, the injured party may pursue additional damages – called punitive damages – against the drunk driver. Punitive damages are additional compensation awarded to the injured party above the amount granted to cover the costs of medical treatment, lost wages and pain and suffering. The sole purpose of punitive damages is to punish the drunk driver for such dangerous conduct, and to act as a deterrent to similar conduct in the future. Lawsuits…Read More
The first good place to look is to ask a friend if they’ve ever retained an attorney and would recommend a certain one for your situation. The important thing is to find a personal injury attorney that has handled multiple car accident lawsuits before and has a good reputation in the community. Most law firms offer a free face-to-face consultation to discuss your case and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have. This presents a good situation to evaluate the attorney and make sure you feel comfortable having them handle your matter. It is most important to not be afraid to take the time and find the right personal injury attorney for you. If you have been involved in an auto accident in the New Orleans area, call us at (504) 527-8767.Read More
Most of the jobs for which people normally hire a lawyer – real estate transactions, preparing wills, etc. – require the person to pay the lawyer out of pocket. When hiring a New Orleans personal injury attorney, however, the lawyer is not paid in the same manner as when hiring a lawyer for other purposes. Personal injury attorneys almost never receive any money up front from the injured party before beginning work on the case. Instead, payment is usually deferred until the case is resolved. If the case is successfully resolved, the personal injury attorney receives a previously agreed upon percentage of the damages awarded to the injured person. This is great news if you are unable to work because of your injuries or otherwise feel that you simply cannot afford a lawyer. In a personal injury case, you will not be required to come up with any money up…Read More
An attorney will most likely set up a contingency fee agreement with you for a lawsuit involving a car accident. Thus, if money is recovered as the result of the settlement or a win at trial, the attorney will only take a certain percentage of the money for his fee. In most jurisdictions in Louisiana, the percentage is usually 33 1/3{d37eae5b8410ed8fb22098597e6ecfa689963c7e8a6548fdf24949bed3e82123} but can increase depending on the difficulty of the case or if the case does go to trial and becomes a very involved matter. It is important to meet with an attorney and, during the first consultation, discuss all of your questions with him or her including matters of their fee. If you need an injury attorney, contact the Gertler Firm at (504) 527-8767.Read More
If you have signed a release with the insurance company, it is likely that you cannot reopen the case. Your ability to make any future claims with the insurance company concerning that auto accident has ended. I would discuss with your attorney whether there might be a chance that you can reopen the case given certain circumstances. However, once you sign a release form with the insurance company, you’re ability to collect any more potential settlement money is likely not available. If you need to speak with an experienced New Orleans Injury Law Firm, call the Gertler Firm at (504) 527-8767.Read More
It is always a good idea to find an attorney who handles a lot of the types of cases that you might have. It’s important in your initial consultation with the attorney to ask them about their experience in handling car accident cases and see if they might be the right person to handle your case. Also, it is very important to be comfortable with the person you hire because you will need to work together to get your case resolved. If you have been involved in a car accident, why not speak to some of the most talented New Orleans Injury Attorneys for free.Read More
The issue of fault cannot be determined solely from these facts. A personal injury attorney will look at all of the available evidence as well as listen to your recollection of the events. Your attorney will then review the totality of the case and advise you on whether you can collect for your possible injuries that occurred on private property. Call the New Orleans Auto Accident Lawyers with the Gertler Firm if you have been injured in a Car Accident….the call is free.Read More
The answer is yes. Assuming you were injured in each car accident, you can make two separate claims even though they occurred so closely in time. You will need to prove that the injuries you suffered in the first accident are directly related to that driver’s negligence. Similarly, you need to prove that the injuries you suffered from the second accident are directly related to that driver’s negligence and not resulting from the first accident. It is important to let your attorney know of both accidents as your injuries might overlap. A good personal injury attorney in New Orleans will be able to parse out the two auto accidents and get you the compensation you deserve from both accidents.Read More
