Louisiana Personal Injury Lawyer

Car accidents most often are caused by people driving carelessly or in a distracted manner. In some cases, however, car accidents are caused by defective vehicles or roadways that were improperly maintained or designed. Regardless of what caused an accident, anyone injured in the accident may pursue damages from the party that is ultimately responsible. Generally, a person injured in an accident may recover compensation for any economic and non-economic harm that arose from the accident. Economic harm refers to the quantifiable financial losses incurred because of the accident, such as amounts for medical bills, out-of-pocket costs, and lost earnings. Non-economic damages refer to intangible harm, such as the pain, mental anguish, and suffering caused by the accident.

While the immense size of commercial trucks enables them to haul goods across the country, it also presents a risk of harm to everyone else on the road. Due to the inherent risks associated with commercial trucks, there are federal and state regulations that are imposed to ensure that trucks are operated as safely as possible. If a driver causes a trucking accident because they failed to adhere to the rules, they may be held legally responsible for any damages caused by the accident. If the driver was employed by a trucking company at the time of the accident, the driver's employer may be held liable as well. Monroe personal injury attorney Eddie Clark will bring all the appropriate parties into these complex cases.

While there are positive aspects to riding a motorcycle, they lack the safety features present in cars and trucks. Thus, when a person riding a motorcycle is involved in an accident, it can cause catastrophic injuries. Motorcycle accidents often cause compound fractures, hemorrhages, brain and spinal injuries, and organ damage. A motorcycle accident may be caused by another driver failing to notice a motorcycle prior to the collision, or turning in front of a motorcycle without sufficient clearance. Many drivers who cause motorcycle accidents will attempt to evade liability for the harm caused by the accident by arguing that the motorcyclist was at fault. In Louisiana, however, even if an injured person was partially responsible for an accident, he or she may still recover a reduced amount of damages.

A crash or derailment can cause serious injuries to passengers on a train. Train accidents, like most other accidents, are frequently caused by careless conduct. For example, a train accident may be caused by a violation of the duties set forth in the regulations issued by the Federal Railroad Administration pertaining to speed limits, train operation, or signage. Even if no specific rule was violated, a claim may arise if a train employee or company failed to provide a reasonably safe environment for passengers. Monroe personal injury lawyer Eddie Clark can bring claims on behalf of train passengers against any individuals and companies that may have contributed to causing an accident.

Under Louisiana law, it is illegal for anyone to operate a vehicle while intoxicated. If a person who is driving while intoxicated causes an accident, the driver not only may be convicted of a crime but also may be held civilly liable. This means that anyone who is injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver can seek compensation for the cost of any required medical treatment and damages for pain and suffering, among other forms of harm. Additionally, Louisiana's Civil Code permits punitive damages to be awarded to an injured person if the victim can show that his or her injuries were proximately caused by a person who disregarded the safety and rights of others by driving while intoxicated.

Brain injuries often occur due to an accident that causes a blow to the head. Brain injuries can cause substantial and irreparable harm that requires lifelong treatment, although they may not be diagnosed until days or even weeks after the harm occurs. When there is a delay in diagnosing a brain injury, the cause of the injury may not be immediately obvious. Sometimes a personal injury lawyer in the Monroe area may need to retain experts, such as physicians and biomechanical engineers, to explain the cause of the injury. Your attorney also may need to retain a physician and an economist to quantify the extent of your past, present, and future injuries and losses.

Injuries to the spinal cord are usually caused by blunt force trauma, which damages the spinal cord, discs, or vertebrae. Spinal injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, and the injured person may need extensive treatment, including physical and occupational therapy, adaptive devices, and around-the-clock care. Thus, anyone who suffers a spinal injury in an accident should consider pursuing compensation to help offset the costs associated with treatment.

If you lost a loved one due to an accident caused by someone else's careless behavior, you have a right to pursue compensation. When a person's death is caused by the wrongful acts of another party, the beneficiaries of the deceased person may recover damages for the harm caused by the person's death. The damages recoverable include funeral and burial costs, loss of earnings, the loss of services in the household, and compensation for any emotional harm. Wrongful death and survival claims must be filed within a short time following a person's death, so you should contact an attorney promptly.

If you were harmed in an accident caused by another person's reckless or careless behavior, you should consult an attorney regarding the steps that you may be able to take to recoup damages for your losses. Eddie Clark can investigate the circumstances surrounding your injuries and develop a strategy to maximize your compensation. Mr. Clark represents injured people in Ouachita, East Baton Rouge, Bossier, Rapides, Richland, Caddo, Lincoln, and Madison Parishes. You can contact us at (833) 749-6961 or through the online form for a free consultation.