CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IN MONROE, LOUISIANA

From Mardi Gras to the French Quarter and all of the exciting festivals throughout the year, Louisiana is a land of adventure where some of life's fondest memories can be made. And yet, with all of the buzz and busyness surrounding the city, car accidents are bound to happen — and all the fun comes to a screeching halt when it happens to you.

Call 318-855-1613 or visit our website to set up a free car accident consultation in Monroe, Louisiana with Bruscato Law Firm.

Were You the Victim of an Auto Accident in the Monroe Area?

If you or a family member was involved in a car crash in the Monroe area because of another driver's negligence, then I urge you to take action: seek legal representation to claim fair compensation for your damages and injuries.

Car accidents are a serious matter—often life-threatening—and you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to seek professional help from an experienced Monroe auto accident attorney.

Why Hire Bruscato for Your Car Accident Claim?

For starters, you are not legally required to hire an attorney if you've been involved in a car crash or personal injury accident. However, seeking the legal advice of an experienced car accident lawyer in Monroe, LA can make your life a whole lot easier. 

• I know Louisiana's car accident and personal injury laws inside and out.

• I will be direct and forthright about your case at all times.

• I'm available when you need me, and make a point to be as accessible as possible to answer all of your questions and concerns fast.

• I know how to negotiate and litigate all types of motor vehicle accidents.

• I will do my absolute best to obtain you maximum compensation for you.

Think about all of the stressful, time-consuming things you must do after an accident. After an accident, you must contact the insurance company, file an insurance claim, take the case to court if necessary, not to mention the hassle of juggling medical bills, appointments, and difficult stages of the recovery process.

If you want to focus on your recovery and getting maximum financial compensation for your motor vehicle crash, then you want to hire a personal injury attorney today.

I care about my clients and I am here to help you with every aspect of your claim, including:

• Establishing fault

• Calculating your claim value

• Preparing and filing your insurance claim

• Gathering evidence and documentation to protect your position

• Proving personal injury damages

• Negotiating with insurance adjusters

• Fighting for your legal rights

Bruscato Law has the expertise you need to help recover damages from your car accident. My desire is to handle all the legalities so you can focus on getting better. 

With me by your side, you can be confident that I will fight hard to get the best possible results for your personal injury case. While you take it easy and get on the path of smooth recovery, I'll utilize my skills to seek out compensation that's full and fair.

Common Causes of Vehicle Accidents 

Car accidents are among the leading causes of injury and death in the United States. Accidents can happen for all types of reasons.

However, if you're a victim of a crash, it was likely due to negligence on the at-fault driver's behalf or dangerous driving. 

Even though it is illegal, research suggests that bans against negligent or distracted driving do not help reduce the number of car crashes on our roads each year. 

Examples of distracted driving include:

• Talking on the phone

• Texting and driving

• Taking your eyes off the road or hands off the wheel 

• Responding to other passengers, objects, or circumstances inside the car

• Engaging with digital screen devices for any reason

With each passing year, we're spending more and more time glued to our phones, tablets, and electronic devices. And drivers continue to engage in distracted driving while fully knowing the dangers.

Dangerous driving is the second major cause of car accidents. Examples of dangerous driving include: 

• Speeding

• Tailgating

• Failure to use turning signals

• Running red lights or stop lights

• Drunk driving

• Failure to yield to oncoming traffic

Additionally, car accidents happen due to dangerous malfunctions and defective car products including faulty airbags, tires, seatbelts, headlights, and other components that may compromise safe driving practices.

With the wide variety of vehicles on roads today, you can imagine just how many different types of auto accidents occur in Monroe every single day.

If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident because of one of the events described above, then they may be liable for your losses. If they were at fault for negligent, distracted driving, or dangerous driving, then you may be entitled to fair compensation. 

Common Types of Car Accidents in Monroe

A Monroe, LA car accident attorney will evaluate your case based on liability, damages, and the extent of your insurance coverage. Even though every case is unique, some types of automobile accidents are more common than others. 

Here are some common types of car crashes I see in Monroe:

• T-bone Car Accident

• 18-Wheeler Accident

• Rear-End Car Accident

• Motorcycle Accident

• Semi-Truck Accident

• Bicycle Accident

• Bus Accident

• Pedestrian Accident

• Rear-End Collisions

• Hit-and-runs

• Head-on collisions

• Sideswipe accidents

If you've been involved in any of the above, you may be entitled to fair compensation.

Compensation For Car Accident Victims in Monroe, Louisiana

If you file a claim for damages, we can help you discover what type and amount of compensation you may be eligible to receive. 

There are no two cases alike, and compensation is never guaranteed, but here are some common types of compensation you may be covered for:

• Pain and suffering from the accident and related injuries

• Medical treatment and physical therapy

• Existing medical debts

• Temporary or permanent disability accommodations

• Punitive damages

• Lost wages from time off work or due to diminished earning capacity

• Vehicle repairs or replacement

• Wrongful death damages

• And possibly more

In 2019, researchers at the Insurance Information Institute (III) found that 727 people died in car crashes in Louisiana. 

If your loved one was the victim of a fatal car crash, then you can file a wrongful death suit to pursue maximum compensation. Compensation for wrongful death may include:

• Funeral costs

• Loss of consortium

• Loss of financial protection

• And possible more

Common Car Accident Injuries

No matter the type of motor vehicle accident, there is always the possibility of serious injury.

In general, the more serious the crash, the more severe the damages incurred, and the greater the medical expenses that need to be paid. Bruscato Law serves accident victims who were injured due to the fault of another driver. 

Here are some of the most common types of car crash injuries I see in my personal injury practice:

• Head injuries

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Neck and back injuries

• Chest injuries

• Abdominal injuries

• Leg and knee injuries

• Hand and foot injuries

• Spinal cord injuries

• Fractured or broken bones

• Paralysis

• Whiplash

While some types of accidents may leave you physically unharmed, others can leave you with permanent disabilities, disfigurement, or worse. 

Louisiana Car Accident Laws

Here in Louisiana, there are several laws pertaining to car accidents that you should be aware of. These laws dictate essential factors like how long you have to file a claim, how much compensation you could receive, and what the possibilities are if the car accident is partially your fault.

• Statute of limitations: According to the Louisiana statute of limitations, If you decide to file a lawsuit, you have one year from the date of the accident. Because Louisiana is a comparative fault state, more than one person can be deemed responsible for the accident. Whatever percentage the judge, jury, or insurance adjuster deems you (the injured motorist) responsible for will be deducted from your reward. For example, if you're held 10% liable and were rewarded $100,000, your reward will be deducted to $90,000.

• Fault-Based car insurance: Louisiana follows fault-based car insurance laws. This means all drivers must meet the minimum requirements for vehicle coverage. The minimum coverage all drivers must carry are: $15,000 for bodily injury (one person), $25,000 for property damage, and $30,000 for bodily injury damages (two or more people). 

There are also penalties on how much compensation you can receive for your accident if you were uninsured. If you didn't have the minimum insurance policy at the time of your injury, you'd be prevented from receiving the first $15,000 of your bodily injury reward and the first $25,000 of your property damage reward.

You may also have an even larger claim against your own insurer.

Free Consultation With a Car Accident Attorney in Monroe

John Bruscato is a local personal injury lawyer with over a ten years of experience and a proven track record serving injury victims in Monroe County and the surrounding areas in Louisiana. 

Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation to discuss options for your accident case. Filing a personal injury claim with the insurance company is often a stressful, time-consuming experience—this is not what you need after a car wreck. You need to focus on recovering and allow our legal team of professionals to represent your rights and your best interest.

Contact us today for your free case review or schedule an appointment online.

Common Questions After a Monroe Car Accident

How much are attorney fees for a car accident?

Many car accident victims are hesitant to contact an attorney because they're scared of the price tag of seeking legal services. Unlike other legal specialists, most car accident attorneys in Monroe do not charge exorbitant fees. In my practice, Bruscato Law, I believe you deserve to receive money, not pay it, which means there are no upfront fees. That's why I handle every car accident case on a contingency fee basis.

A contingency fee means:

• You do pay nothing for your initial consultation

• We charge no fees unless you win

• Our payment comes from the final settlement, not from you

Contact Bruscato Personal Injury Law Firm today for your free case evaluation. 

Can I settle a car accident claim without an attorney?

You can, but I would not recommend it. As I mentioned previously, nobody is legally required to hire an attorney. If you are considering filing a claim by yourself, here are a few questions you'll want answers to:

• What forms, documentation, or evidence will the insurer require?

• What if the at-fault driver is uninsured or under-insured? What then?

• Does the at-fault driver have adequate coverage to fully cover your losses and damages?

• How are medical bills calculated? What's covered?

• How will you negotiate with the insurance adjuster if they try to low-ball you?

• Are you being given a fair settlement offer? How do you know?

Lawyers can help you answer these questions and fight for the best possible outcome for your car accident case. You don't have to go it alone!

How much is the average settlement for a car accident?

It is natural to want to know what the average settlement amount is for your particular situation. But the truth is, every case is unique, which means there is no special formula or calculator available to predict the value of your settlement. 

The final number that the insurance adjuster offers you will be based on these three criteria:

1. Liability

2. Damages

3. The extent of car insurance coverage

Your settlement payout will depend on who was at fault, the extent and severity of damages (serious injuries, property damage, medical care, lost wages, and more), and the amount of insurance coverage you have. Hiring a Monroe car accident law firm with significant experience can help you negotiate with insurance claims adjusters and fight for the compensation you deserve.

What do you do when the adjuster assigns you fault? Or the ever-popular "phantom car defense?" 

In these situations, often the only choice for the injured person is to either settle at a substantial discount or otherwise prepare for trial. In either case, Bruscato Law knows how to get it done to maximize the amount recovered.

In terms of insurance, you can seek compensation from the at-fault driver's insurance company. What many are unaware of is that you can also make a claim with your own insurance company without being penalized.

Should I get medical attention after a car accident? 

Yes. Even if you don't think you've suffered any injuries at the accident scene, it is important to seek medical treatment, if only to rule out the possibility of damages. When you speak with a car accident attorney, they will need to see your official medical record as it may be used as evidence when it comes time to file an insurance claim. 

What should I do after a car accident?

There are several steps you should take after a car accident:

1. Put safety first

2. Check for injuries, seek medical attention, and file a police report

3. Collect and exchange contact information

4. Talk to witnesses

5. Document the accident and gather evidence

6. Determine what insurance coverage is available

7. File an insurance claim

8. Go see a doctor

9. Contact an experienced attorney