Louisiana Highway Accident Attorneys

Louisiana’s highways are the lifelines of our state, connecting us to loved ones and fueling our economy. Yet, even familiar roads like US-190 (The North Shore Highway) and US-90 (The Old Spanish Trail) can become scenes of unexpected accidents.

If you’ve been injured in a Louisiana highway accident, you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. You deserve an experienced highway accident attorney on your side, someone well-versed in Louisiana’s specific laws and the unique challenges of highway accident claims.

At Gordon McKernan Personal Injury Attorneys, we are committed to advocating for the compensation you deserve to recover. Our goal is to help you get back on your feet, both physically and financially.

The Danger of Louisiana Highways

While highways bring many benefits to our community, they can also be dangerous. Statistics reveal a concerning picture of the risks on Louisiana’s roads: 

• Fatality Rate: A report by LSU reveals that Louisiana has a fatality rate of 1.6 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
  • This is concerning, as it’s still higher than the national average of 1.4 deaths per 100 million VMT.
    
    
• Injuries and Fatalities: According to LSU’s CARTS, a troubling trend emerges on Louisiana’s highways. In 2023, a staggering 98% of the 12,974 reported crashes resulted in injuries.
  • This high number of car crash injury accidents highlights the significant risks associated with driving on Louisiana’s roads.

Common Types of Highway Collisions in Louisiana

Louisiana’s highways provide a convenient route for traveling across the state. However, the mix of high speeds and heavy traffic poses distinct challenges for drivers. 

Knowing these typical risks can make you a more informed and cautious driver, ready to navigate the roads safely.

Merging Incidents

• These can occur when vehicles try to enter or change lanes on the highway. 
• Misjudging the gap or making sudden maneuvers can unfortunately lead to sideswiping or rear-end collisions.

Center Divider Accidents

• These serious accidents involve striking the barriers or median separating opposite directions of traffic.  
• Loss of control, distracted driving, or speeding are common causes. 

Bottleneck Collisions

• These happen in areas where traffic lanes narrow abruptly, causing congestion. 
• As vehicles slow down or stop suddenly, rear-end collisions can occur. 

Debris Collisions

• These accidents happen when objects or debris fall onto the highway. 
• Drivers may swerve to avoid debris, causing collisions or damage to their vehicles.

By recognizing these common dangers and adopting defensive driving practices, you can improve your safety on Louisiana’s highways. However, even the most cautious driver can encounter unforeseen circumstances.  

If you were involved in a collision, our experienced Louisiana personal injury attorneys can help you navigate filing a personal injury claim.

Injuries from Highway Accidents

Unlike minor fender benders, highway crashes often involve high speeds, resulting in a much greater risk of severe injuries. Our Louisiana highway accident lawyers know that being in an accident can be scary, and we want to assure you that we’re here to help.

Here’s a look at some of the common injuries sustained in highway accidents:

• Whiplash: This neck injury, caused by sudden head movement, can lead to chronic pain, headaches, and dizziness, affecting daily life.
  
  
• Scrapes and Cuts: Even minor wounds from debris can be painful and prone to infection, potentially leaving lasting scars.
  
  
• Head Injuries: From concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), these can disrupt memory, concentration, and sleep, impacting daily function.
  
  
• Broken Bones: Common in crashes like rear-end collisions, fractures require lengthy healing and may need surgery or therapy.
  
  
• Internal Bleeding: Hidden but serious, blunt force trauma can cause internal organs to bleed, necessitating immediate medical attention.
  
  
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Crashes can force spinal discs to bulge or rupture, causing pain, numbness, and affecting mobility.

Factors Influencing Highway Accident Settlements

At Gordon McKernan Personal Injury Attorneys, we understand that recovering from a highway accident is about more than just fixing your car. Getting fair compensation is essential for getting back on track and moving forward. 

Here are some factors that will affect your claim:

The Impact of Your Injuries

The extent of your medical needs, including ongoing treatment and rehabilitation, will be a key factor in determining fair compensation. We’ll also fight to recover lost wages due to missed work, and explore any potential long-term effects the injury may have on your health and ability to return to your job.

Pain and Suffering Beyond the Physical

We recognize that car accidents can leave a lasting impact, not just physically but emotionally as well. This is why we fight to recover compensation for what’s called “pain and suffering.” 

This category recognizes how much your injuries have affected your daily life, including the activities you used to enjoy, ongoing pain, and emotional distress.

Understanding Insurance Coverage Limits

It’s important to be aware that there may be limits on the at-fault party’s insurance coverage. This means that even if your injuries are severe and your losses significant, there might be a cap on what insurance companies will pay. 

Our Louisiana highway accident attorneys will explore all possible avenues for compensation, including your own insurance and potentially the at-fault party’s assets, to ensure you receive what you deserve.

Navigating Louisiana’s Laws After a Truck Accident on Highways

Between managing injuries, dealing with insurance companies, and getting your life back on track, the legal process might seem like an afterthought. However, understanding Louisiana’s laws regarding truck accidents is crucial to protecting your right to compensation.

The One-Year Deadline

Louisiana has a strict one-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit arising from a truck accident (Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492).

Statute of Limitation Changes in Louisiana

In 2024, Louisiana law extended the statute of limitations for personal injury claims occurring on or after July 1, 2024, from one year to two years. Any injuries that occurred before July 1, 2024, will still have a 1-year statute of limitation. Learn more about Louisiana’s New Statute of Limitations here.

• 1 year for injuries sustained before July 1, 2024.
• 2 years for injuries suffered after July 1, 2024.

The statute of limitations is a legal deadline that sets a time frame for filing a lawsuit. In Louisiana, this is known as the “prescriptive period,” which determines how long you have to take legal action against the responsible party after an injury occurs.

Not meeting this deadline can lead to serious consequences. If you delay too much, the court might dismiss your case, leaving you without the financial support needed for your recovery.

Let Gordon McKernan Personal Injury Attorneys Fight for Your Rights on Louisiana’s Highways

At Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, we know the physical, emotional, and financial toll a highway accident can take. With over 679+ years of combined legal experience, our team of dedicated Louisiana truck accident lawyers specializes in helping victims of all types of highway accidents, including those involving large commercial trucks.

We know this is a difficult time. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing.

Our Get Gordon team will:

• Investigate your case thoroughly to determine the cause of the accident and identify all liable parties.
  
  
• Fight for the maximum compensation you deserve, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
  
  
• Guide you through every step of the legal process, keeping you informed and involved in all decisions.

Don’t wait to get the help you need. Schedule a free consultation with a skilled Louisiana highway accident lawyer today. Get Gordon and Get It Done!