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Claims Process for Internal and Soft Tissue Injuries After a New Orleans Car Accident

Car accidents in New Orleans can result in a range of injuries, from the immediately apparent to the less visible yet equally debilitating internal and soft tissue injuries. These types of injuries often do not manifest symptoms until days or even weeks after an accident, making them particularly challenging to diagnose and treat. Understanding the claims process for such injuries is crucial for victims seeking compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other related damages. This guide will explore the steps involved in navigating the claims process for internal and soft tissue injuries in New Orleans, providing critical insights to help victims ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.

Recognizing Internal and Soft Tissue Injuries

Internal and soft tissue injuries refer to damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and internal organs. These injuries can result from the forceful impact and sudden movements typical in car accidents, even in collisions at lower speeds.
Soft Tissue Injuries: These include sprains, strains, and bruises, which may not be immediately noticeable at the scene of the accident. Symptoms such as pain, swelling, and reduced mobility might appear gradually.

  • Soft Tissue Injuries: These include sprains, strains, and bruises, which may not be immediately noticeable at the scene of the accident. Symptoms such as pain, swelling, and reduced mobility might appear gradually.
  • Internal Injuries: These can be life-threatening and may involve organs like the spleen, liver, or kidneys. Internal bleeding might initially go unnoticed but can rapidly become a medical emergency.

Given their complex nature, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately after an accident, even if you feel fine. A thorough medical examination can identify these injuries early, increasing the chances of successful treatment and supporting your claims process.

The Claims Process Step-by-Step

  1. Immediate Medical Assessment: As soon as possible after the accident, seek a full medical evaluation. Inform your healthcare provider that you were involved in a vehicle accident so they can conduct appropriate tests to diagnose any internal or soft tissue injuries.
  2. Documenting Your Injuries: Detailed medical records are crucial for substantiating your claim. Ensure that all medical visits, treatments, diagnostic tests, and recommendations are thoroughly documented. This documentation should include dates, specific injuries diagnosed, treatments administered, and prognosis.
  3. Notify Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance company about the accident and your injuries. Be cautious about providing a statement or accepting a settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries, as early settlements often fail to cover later-arising complications.
  4. Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney: Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney experienced in handling cases involving internal and soft tissue injuries. An attorney from Breaux Law can guide you through the complex legal landscape, helping to ensure that all potential avenues for compensation are explored.
  5. Gathering Evidence: Besides medical records, gather evidence from the accident scene, including photos, police reports, witness statements, and any other relevant information that can help establish the cause of the accident and the extent of your injuries.
  6. Filing the Claim: With your attorney’s assistance, file a comprehensive claim that includes all necessary documentation of your injuries and their impact on your life. This claim should detail not only your medical expenses but also any lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

Navigating interactions with insurance companies can be one of the most challenging aspects of the claims process. Insurance adjusters often attempt to minimize the company’s payout by disputing the severity of injuries or the necessity of treatments, especially when injuries are not visibly apparent, like most internal and soft tissue injuries.

  • Avoiding Quick Settlements: Be wary of quick settlement offers that may not adequately reflect the long-term impacts of your injuries.
  • Negotiating with Insurers: Armed with comprehensive documentation and legal support from Breaux Law, you can negotiate more effectively. Our attorneys have the expertise to counter lowball offers and push for settlements that fully address the scope of your injuries and losses.

Continuing Treatment and Legal Follow-ups

The nature of internal and soft tissue injuries might require ongoing medical treatment and continuous evaluation. This ongoing treatment can influence the overall valuation of your claim, as prolonged recovery periods and potential for long-term complications must be considered.

  • Regular Medical Follow-ups: Maintain regular appointments with your healthcare provider to monitor your recovery and update your medical records.
  • Legal Oversight: Keep your legal team informed of any changes in your treatment or condition. At Breaux Law, we ensure that any developments are promptly addressed in the ongoing management of your claim.

Conclusion

Successfully navigating the claims process for internal and soft tissue injuries sustained in a New Orleans car accident requires a comprehensive approach that combines immediate and ongoing medical care with astute legal representation. Given the complexities and often latent nature of these injuries, it’s crucial for victims to understand the importance of a thorough medical evaluation immediately following the accident and continuous monitoring thereafter.

Partnering with experienced legal professionals like those at Breaux Law can significantly enhance your ability to secure adequate compensation. Our team is skilled in handling the nuances of personal injury claims related to internal and soft tissue injuries. We understand the tactics employed by insurance companies to minimize payouts and are prepared to advocate vigorously on your behalf, ensuring that your claim comprehensively reflects the true extent of your injuries and the impact on your quality of life.

As you focus on your recovery, let Breaux Law handle the complexities of your legal claim. With our expertise and commitment, we will strive to achieve the best possible outcome, allowing you to concentrate on healing and moving forward after your accident. Reach out to us for a consultation, and take the first step toward gaining the peace of mind and financial support you need to overcome the challenges posed by your injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Internal and Soft Tissue Injuries from Car Accidents in New Orleans

  1. What are common internal and soft tissue injuries from car accidents? Common internal injuries include internal bleeding, organ damage, and traumatic brain injuries. Soft tissue injuries typically involve sprains, strains, whiplash, and contusions. These injuries might not always show immediate symptoms, making it crucial to seek medical evaluation after any car accident.
  2. How soon after a car accident should I seek medical attention for potential internal or soft tissue injuries? You should seek medical attention immediately following a car accident, even if you feel fine. Some internal and soft tissue injuries can remain asymptomatic for hours or days but may pose serious health risks.
  3. What should I do if I suspect I have a soft tissue injury after a car accident in New Orleans? If you suspect a soft tissue injury after an accident, document any symptoms and see a medical professional as soon as possible. Follow their recommended treatment plan and keep records of all medical visits, diagnoses, and treatments, as these documents are crucial for any insurance claims or legal actions.
  4. Can I claim compensation for an internal injury caused by a car accident in New Orleans? Yes, if you suffer an internal injury as a result of a car accident in New Orleans, you are entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer experienced in such cases, like those at Breaux Law, can help ensure you receive fair compensation.
  5. How do I prove my soft tissue injury was caused by a car accident? Proving a soft tissue injury was caused by a car accident involves presenting medical records, expert testimony, and evidence from the accident scene. Detailed documentation of your medical treatments, symptoms, and impacts on your daily life are essential. Legal representation by a firm like Breaux Law can help gather and present this evidence effectively.
  6. What role does Breaux Law play in helping victims of car accidents with internal or soft tissue injuries in New Orleans? Breaux Law assists victims of car accidents in New Orleans by providing expert legal advice and representation. We help clients navigate the claims process, from gathering medical evidence and dealing with insurance companies to negotiating settlements or representing clients in court to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
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Frequently Asked Questions

We don’t get paid until you do. The attorneys of Breaux Law Firm have what is called a “contingency fee arrangement” with each and every one of our clients. A contingency fee arrangement means that the attorney’s fee is taken out of the total amount of money recovered for the client, once the client’s case is settled. The attorneys at Breaux Law Firm are happy to meet with you FOR FREE to discuss your case, to answer any questions you may have, and to let you know if we think you have a good case.

The short answer is YES. If you’re the owner or the driver of the motor vehicle you were in at the time of the accident and neither you nor the vehicle you were driving has automobile insurance, then the adverse insurance company will get a credit for the first $15,000 in damages that they would have otherwise owed you, as described below. If you were a passenger in a vehicle where neither it nor its driver has insurance, you will still be able to recover, because you’re not the owner nor the operator of the uninsured vehicle. The attorneys at Breaux Law Firm stay informed on all laws involving insurance and the other legal areas we practice. We take the guesswork out of Louisiana state laws, and guide you through the process of recovering the compensation you deserve.

“There shall be no recovery for the first fifteen thousand dollars of bodily injury and no recovery for the first twenty-five thousand dollars of property damage based on any cause or right of action arising out of a motor vehicle accident, for such injury or damages occasioned by an owner or operator of a motor vehicle involved in such accident who fails to own or maintain compulsory motor vehicle liability security.
La. Stat. Ann. § 32:866

Breaux Law Firm is licensed to practice law throughout the state of Louisiana. However, Breaux Law Firm, in conjunction with other respected attorneys, has also represented clients from many other states, including Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, California, and more.

Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays. Our office is located at 111 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 1820, Metairie, LA 70005. You’ll find plenty of parking available in our visitor parking lot, along with a wheelchair-accessible ramp. Of course, you can always reach us through our 24-hour phone line at (504) 914-7779.

NO, YOU DO NOT. We don’t get paid until you do. The vast majority of the time, the conscientious attorneys at Breaux Law Firm will be able to let you know if your case is likely to succeed at the FREE initial consultation. If the case doesn’t work out, you owe us nothing and we will bear our own costs.

In Louisiana, you have ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF THE ACCIDENT to file a lawsuit to recover damages due to an accident; this concept is known as the statute of limitations or prescriptive period. Once your accident occurs, the clock starts ticking. The attorneys at Breaux Law Firm stay informed on all laws involving injury law, as well as the other legal areas we practice. We know that legal language can be confusing and hard to understand, as you can see below, so we work hard to make the process of filing a claim as easy and positive as possible.
“Delictual actions are subject to a liberative prescription of one year. This prescription commences to run from the day injury or damage is sustained.”
La. Civ. Code Ann. art. 3492

YES, the law office of Breaux Law Firm works with all types of medical providers and will assist you in obtaining the medical care that you need for your injuries.

There are several ways to take care of your property damage after an accident. The most common way is to make a claim against the liable insurance company which covered the at-fault party at the time of the accident. After making a claim against the liable insurance company, the liable insurance company is supposed to appraise the damage to your vehicle by sending an appraiser to inspect the vehicle wherever it’s located. Within a reasonable time, the liable insurance company is supposed to make a liability determination. If the insurance company accepts liability, they will put you in a rental car and arrange for your vehicle to be repaired. You’re entitled to a rental car, paid for by the liable insurance company, until your car is fixed and ready for you to pick up. The liability insurance company must adjust the property damage within thirty (30) days of their receiving a satisfactory proof of loss. The attorneys at Breaux Law Firm stay informed on all laws involving insurance and the other legal areas we practice, translating confusing legal jargon, as you see below, into clear guidance for our clients.
“All insurers shall make a written offer to settle any property damage claim, including a third-party claim, within thirty days after receipt of satisfactory proofs of loss of that claim.”
La. Stat. Ann. § 22:1892