We understand that personal injury cases are particularly troublesome when clients need medical attention and are forced to wait on the results of a case for the compensation that is owed to them. Injured clients deserve prompt necessary medical treatments from trusted medical providers. We make sure our clients have access to the medical treatment needed to restore their health as soon as possible. This is the first step to recovery. We know that being injured is painful and stressful. Let us help you get through a difficult experience. When you’ve been hurt by an auto wreck, the last thing you need is more stress and problems to add to what you’ve already been through. The injuries, trauma, and vehicle damage are all bad enough, but in some ways, the medical bills, lost time at work, pain and suffering, and other expenses and losses caused by the accident can all be worse than the wreck itself.
Whether you caused your accident or not, the insurance company won’t be on your side, which is just one more problem to deal with after the crash. A car accident lawyer from Marino & Ehle, LLC can help you solve these issues, however. In fact, we’ll both shoulder the burden for you and get you the compensation you need so that you can focus on your recovery instead.
We actively pursue the best possible outcomes in damage settlements for our clients. Because we concentrate on personal injury cases, we understand how to achieve our clients’ goals. Consult our firm if you’ve been involved in any of the following events:
When you have been in an accident, you must fight with an insurance company. Sometimes insurance companies will want to settle quickly. They may make a fast offer and even impose a short deadline. You must ask why? Other times the insurance will resist compensating you even when liability is not in dispute. You may ask why? Given these circumstances, it is in your best interests to have a qualified and experienced attorney evaluate your settlement options. The team at Marino & Ehle, LLC has more than 60 years combined experience negotiating with attorneys, insurance companies, and medical organizations. A settlement could happen any time during the negotiations/lawsuit process, so we pursue your claim for compensation aggressively throughout.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be unacquainted with the procedures that are ahead. You may think that your case will be tried in front of a jury. However, many clients have received sizable payments without ever appearing in a courtroom. Cases are settled with effective negotiation without the parties ever seeing a judge or jury. Even though a settlement may not mean a court fight, there are many stages of the process for which you will need a lawyer to protect you and advocate on your behalf. The stakes are high as many cases are settled for very substantial sums before trial.
Dealing with insurance companies after a vehicle accidentSince Louisiana is a comparative fault state for car accidents, you cannot depend on the insurance company help you. They’ll give you a claim number and then actually treat you like a number. They won’t be worried about getting you a settlement that pays for your recovery—instead, they’ll be concerned with padding their own profit margins by settling your claim quickly and for as little as possible.
Insurance companies can be aggressive. They may approach you directly to resolve your case. While the company’s offer may seem fair and tempting, the insurance company is not acting in your best interest. Accordingly, it might not be in your best interests to accept the first offer. Without understanding the process, you have entered a negotiation and, if you sign anything, it could be an enforceable settlement. Before signing anything, endorsing a check for example, we advise you to contact a seasoned attorney and request an assessment. The settlement you’re being offered may be incomplete or incorrect. Most of all, it may not do justice to your injury because of the following:
You may have ongoing medical issues as a result of your accident, and settling immediately may mean prematurely accepting inadequate or incomplete compensation.
There may be additional defendants, such as an employer of the at‑fault party.
There may be additional insurance coverage, such as an excess or umbrella policy.
Facts may develop in such a way to reveal entirely new defendants, not even simply an employer of someone who caused an accident. There may be medical or other types of liens which must be considered and resolved prior to any settlement.
Following the steps to a settlement agreement
Your first step, of course, is to get medical attention. Much of the rest can be handled by the attorney with input, of course, from you. For example, you should make a diary of how you are feeling so that when you are asked about your injuries several months down the road or even year(s) later, you will be able to refresh your recollection.
You should document everything: get names and addresses of all parties as well as their insurance information, and take pictures. You may need this documentation later to refute claims by the insurance companies or other parties. It may also become part of the public record if you file suit later. Of course, get the names of any witnesses. In a premises liability accident, have an expansive view of who might be a witness. For example, a person who is familiar with the landowner’s longstanding pattern of snow removal could provide very useful information on the inadequacy of what was done at the relevant time.
Depending on the circumstances, the insurance company may approach you with a settlement offer immediately. Assuming that you do not accept the settlement and retain a lawyer, the approach will be different. After sitting down with your lawyer, a letter of representation will be sent to the relevant entities. Your lawyer may take the next step by filing a formal complaint in the court system or may defer taking that approach until a more favorable time in the process.
At virtually any stage of the process, the claims representatives or defense attorneys may make a settlement offer. Perhaps they will propose mediation. It is always advisable to have an experienced attorney evaluate any approach that is made by the other side.
Injured in the New Orleans area? Contact a well‑respected and experienced legal team to negotiate on your behalf.
Whether you’ve been offered a settlement after a roadside accident, an on‑the‑job injury, medical malpractice or construction‑related injuries, your best approach is to retain professional counsel, and at the earliest stage possible. The reasons for being represented earlier rather than later are numerous: witness testimony can be preserved, photographs taken, insurance coverage ascertained, and so on. At Marino & ehle, LLC, we have more than 30 years of combined experience in personal injury law. We know that every time we get compensation for a client we help them along the path to recovery. Call us today at (504) 362-0666 or contact us online to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Whether you caused your accident or not, the insurance company won’t be on your side, which is just one more problem to deal with after the crash. A car accident lawyer from Marino & Ehle, LLC can help you solve these issues, however. In fact, we’ll both shoulder the burden for you and get you the compensation you need so that you can focus on your recovery instead.
Davidson Ehle is a seasoned AV-rated trial attorney recognized for criminal defense victories, appellate advocacy, and respected leadership in the Jefferson Parish bar.
